LESSONS AFFORDED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20567, 29 May 1941, Page 7

LESSONS AFFORDED

FATE OF NATIONS U.S. POLICY AFFIRMED RESISTING HITLERISM FREEDOM OF THE SEAS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. May 29, 9 a.m.) WASHINGTON, May 28. “I have said on many occasions that the United States is mustering men and resources only for the purpose of defence, only to repel attack,” said President Roosevelt in the course of his broadcast address last evening. “I repeat that statement now, but we must be realistic when we use the word attack. We have to relate it to the lightning speed of modern warfare.

‘Some people seem to think that we are.i-ot attacked until bombs actually drop on New York, San Francisco, New Orleans, or Chicago, but they are simply shutting their eyes to the lesson that we must learn from the fate of every nation that the, Nazis have conquered.

“The attack on Czechoslovakia began with the conquest of Austria, the attack on Norway began with the occupation of Denmark, the attack on Greece began with the occupation of Albania and Bulgaria, the attack on the Suez Canal began with the invasion of the Balkans and North Africa.

“An attack on the United States can begin with the domination of any base which menaces our security, north or south. Nobody can foretell just when the acts of the dictators will ripen into attack on this hemisphere and us, but we know enough by now to realise that it will be suicide to wait until they are in our front yard. Possible Bunker Hill “When your enemy cbmes at you in a tank or bombing plane, if you hold your fire until your see the whites of his eyes, you will never know what hit you. “Our Bunker Hill of to-day may be several thousand miles from Boston. Anyone with an atlas and a reasonable knowledge of the sudden striking force of modern war knows it is stupid to wait until a probable enemy has gained a foothold from which to attack. Old-fashioned common sense calls for the use of- strategy which will prevent such an enemy from gaining a foothold in the first place. “We have, accordingly, extended our patrol in the North and South Atlantic waters and are steadily adding more and more ships and planes to that patrol. It is well known that the strength of the Atlantic Fleet has been greatly increased during the past year and is constantly being built up. “These ships and planes give warnings of the presence of attacking raiders on the sea, under the sea and above the sea. The danger from these raiders is greatly lessened if their location is definitely known. We are thus being forewarned and shall be on guard against efforts to establish Nazi bases closer to our hemisphere.

National Policy

“The deadly facts of >var compel nations, for self-preservation, to make stern choices and if we believe in the independence and integrity of the Americas we must be willing to fight to defend them, just as much as we would fight for the safety of our own homes.

“Our national policy to-day, therefore is; Firstly, we shall actively resist wherever necessary, with all ohr resources, every attempt by Hitler to extend his Nazi domination over the Western Hemisphere. “Secondly, we shall actively resist his every attempt to gain control of the seas. We insist on keeping Hitlerism away from any point of the world which could or would be used as a base for attack against America. “Thirdly, we shall give every possible assistance to Britain and all who, with Britain, are resisting Hitlerism or its equivalent with forces and arms.

“Our patrols are helping now to insure the delivery of needed supplies to Britain. All additional measures necessary to the delivery of the goods will be taken and all further methods or combination of methods which can or should be utilised are being devised by our military and naval technicians, who, with me, will work out and put into effect such new additional safeguards as may be needed. Supplies to Britain “The delivery of needed supplies to Britain is imperative. This can and will be done. We must not be defeated by fear of the very dangers we are preparing to resist. Our freedom has shown its ability to survive war, but it would never survive surrender. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Mr. Roosevelt said that there was a small group of patriotic men whose passion for peace blinded them to realities. They were embarrassed by support from bundists, Fascists and Communjsts. “It is no coincidence that arguments by these enemies of democracy are mere echoes of Axis propaganda," he continued. “I recently set up machinery for civilian defence. It will rapidly organise, locality by locality. It will depend on the organised effort of men and women everywhere. All will have responsibilities to fulfil. “The actual production and transportation of machinery of defence must not be interrupted by disputes between capital and labour. Facilities for conciliation and mediation in industrial disputes have been set up. They must be used promptly. Collective bargaining will be retained and the American people expect that the impartial recommendations of our Government services will be followed both by capital and labour. This Government is determined to use all power to express the will of the people and prevent interference with the production of materials essential to the nation’s security.”

[Such of the cable news in this issue as is so headed has appeared in The London Times and is sent to this paper by special permission. It should be understood that the opinions are not those of The Times unless expressly stated to be so.]