The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1941. AMERICA STEPS OUT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20507, 18 March 1941, Page 6

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1941. AMERICA STEPS OUT

President Roosevelt’s review of the attitude of the United States to the war will probably go down to history as one of the most striking utterances on record. It was a brilliant exposition of the principles involved in the present struggle and of the practical issues with which America and Americans are now concerned. It might not be correct to describe the speech itself as a turning point in the war but at least it did draw attention to factors which might well be decisive. Primarily, perhaps, the speech was a declaration of faith in democracy and a condemnation of the tyranny which is inseparable from the rival system of dictatorship. The interests of Americans, he pointed out, and the maintenance of the ideals which they had always cherished were bound up with the survival of the democratic method of life and it followed that once the people realised the issues involved their sympathies and their practical support must be extended to the democracies. That was the point that had been reached with the passage of the lend-or-lease bill which provided the best evidence of the crystallisation of American public opinion. Mr. Roosevelt was able to show that, under his leadership, the United States had unequivocally declared itself on the side of the Allies.

Having reached a decision, America has been prompt to action. This is the second point which stands out so prominently in the President's review. Half-an-hour after the passage of the measure by Congress, the lend-or-lease bill was signed by the President and within five minutes he had approved of a list of articles for immediate shipment to Britain, many of which were already on their way. This is American hustle with a vengeance and it might well be regarded as a token of what the President described as an all-out war effort. He made it clear that there is to be nothing half-hearted about the assistance that will be given, nor will there be any avoidable delay. Having enumerated the 'things which Britain, Greece and China needed, Mr. Roosevelt emphasised that they would get them from America —ships, planes, food, tanks, guns, ammunition and supplies

of all kinds. These are some of the things which Mr. Roosevelt proposes to give, and is already giving, to the democracies. All that he has given to the dictators is food for thought and, perhaps, a severe headache, for, whatever ridicule they may seek to pour on American aid, there can be not the slightest doubt that it constitutes a grave menace to them and Vnakes any thought of an Axis victory more impossible than ever. The next point in the speech which deserves to be underlined is the manner in which the President called his great and powerful nation to action. He dispelled any hopes which the dictators might cherish of American disunity for his words are strongly supported by other evidence that the country was never more united than in its determination to rid the world of the menace which now threatens it, He calls the nation to the great task and deep duty which rests upon it and makes no attempt to minimise the sacrifices which will be involved. “You will feel the impact of this gigantic effort on your daily lives,” he said, and, later on, “You will have to work longer at your bench, your plough, or your machine.” Surely, in these words there is a reproach for our own country which, in the main, hardly knows what sacrifice means and where men who are asked to work longer go on strike while those who want to work longer are refused permission to do so. “Here in Washington," said the President, “we are thinking in terms of speed, and speed now, and I hope that watchword will find its way into every home in the nation.” Surely it is time for New Zealand, which boasts of being the first country to enter the war, to adopt a similar course. The vigour which is being displayed by the United States is paralleled only by ' the magnificent effort of Great Britain after Dunkirk, which brought home to the people the gravity of the situation. In some measure, perhaps, America has been inspired by the wonderful effort of Britain. Mr. Roosevelt has had the benefit of reports from the emissaries he sent to Britain and, as a consequence, he is able to declare, to the discomfiture of: the enemy no doubt, that “the British people are stronger than ever in the magnificent morale which has enabled them to endure the dark days and shattered nights of the past ten months.” What Britain has already done, the United States is now preparing to do. In everything but the declaration of the fact, that country is in alliance with the democracies in the war against the dictatorships. Our fight is their fight and in Mr. Roosevelt’s words American aid will be increased and yet again increased until total victory is won. Clearly, there is to be no compromise with the forces of tyranny and evil but an unrelenting struggle until the blight of nazism and fascism is removed and freedom restored to the people of the world. Democracy, as Mr. Roosevelt said, has gone into action and that action will be the more determined and the more speedy for the support which has been pledged by the great democracy of which he is the leader.