The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1950-10-06

The people of the United States are
apparently overwhelmingly in support of
any action by the government which will
control Communist activities in this country
and check aggressive expansion by Soviet
Russia throughout the world.
With this idea in mind, the public
viii support the action of Congress in
passing Communist-espionage sabotage
control bill over the veto of President
Truman and the congressional proposal
to shut off financial and economic aid TO
nations that ship potential war materials
to the Soviet Union and its satellites.
The test of this legislation. however,
Is not the declaration of purpose outlined
In debate or described in textual pream-
bic. 1t is the effectiveness of enforcement
after the legislation is passed. There is
considerable difference of opinion as 20
the workability of this legislation, indi-
Gated by the action of the President in
vetOing the bill submitted by Congress.
We are not concerned with either of
the legislative matters referred to because
after all, if enforceable, they may do some
good and if unenfOrceable, may do little
harm. The danger that arises, however,
is that the public. despite its firm intention
TO oppose Communism and Soviet ag-
erosion, may conclude that much more
has been accomplished than the future
will disclose. Consequently. there is the
danger that an aroused public opinion may
sit back and take it for granted that the
menace of Communistic aggression has
been adequately cared for.
In this frame of mind, the people are
apt to overlook the Importance of uni.
versal military training to strengthen the
national defense. Despite the high-sound-
ing declarations that accompanied de-
bate on the two measures, the only SEN
sible preparation for stopping Commune
istic aggression is to be prepared to use
force. Without universal military trainingl
one may doubt whether this country viii
ever have an adequate number of trained
men. ready to fight for individual freedom
and to block Soviet aggression.
Speaking after his appointment as Secs
rotary of Defense. General Of the Army
George c. Marshall pointed out that, af-
ter World War l. a bill was introduced in
Congress to provide for universal military
training. OF course, the bill did not pass
but General Marshall expresses the opinion
that if Congress had enacted the proposal.
Hitler would not have dared to provoke
a second World War and the present meme
ace of third war conflict would have
been averted.
If the people of this, couatry are in
earnest in their declarations against Com
munisfn, they will demand that the country
follow the advice submitted to the first
Congress in 1890 by President George
Washington. He gave plan for complete
national defense, based on the principle
that in a self-governing republic, every
able-bOdied young man should be trained
to defend his country. The advice of Gem
eral Washington was not followed but, il
1t had been acted upon by Congress, the
chances are that the country would have
been prepared to meet every military emer-
gency that has confronted US in our sub
sequent history
It might be interesting to call attens
ton to the statements made by General
Marshall IN connection with national de-
Tense since 1920. When Congress passed