Shortening the War

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22789, 13 January 1944, Page 4

Shortening the War

National Service Proposed

Mr Roosevelt’s Message to Congress

By Telegraph—New Zealand Press Association —Copyright

RUGBY, January 11. A CALL for a national service law, coupled with other ** legislation to facilitate its working, is made by President Roosevelt in his annual message to Congress. Among further enactments envisaged in ’ the President’s programme are a cost of food law establishing minimum prices for-farmers and a ceiling on prices for consumers, and a continuation of the law for a re-negotiation of war contracts to prevent exorbitant profits.

Attacking “ostrich isolation,” Mr Roosevelt states: “I do not think that any of us Americans can be content with mere survival. The sacrifices which we and our Allies are making impose upon us all a sacred obligation to see that out of this war we and our children will gain something better than mere survival. We are united in our determination that this war shall not be followed by another interim leading to a new disaster.”

Referring to the visit of the Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) to Moscow and his own visit to Cairo and Teheran, Mr Roosevelt mentioned that Certain suspicious souls feared that he or Mr Hull had made commitments for the future which might pledge the nation to secret treaties. “Of course we made commitments,” he said. “We most certainly committed ourselves to very specific and very large plans which will require the use of all the Allied forces to bring about the defeat of our enemies at the earliest possible time, but there were no secret treaties or political and financial commitments. One supreme objective for the future which we discussed for each nation individually, and for all nations, can be summed up in the words—security and safety from attacks by aggressors. It means also economic security, social security, and moral security. In the plain down-to-earth talks that I had with Marshal Stalin, Mr Churchill, and Marshal Chiang Kaishek it was abundantly clear that they were all most Interested in the resumption of the peaceful progress of their own peoples. Basic Essential to Peace “In the present world situation, as evidenced by the actions of Germany. Italy, and Japan, unquestioned military control over disturbers of the peace Is as necessary among nations as citizens and an eouallv basic

essential to peace is a decent standard of living for all men. women, and children of all nations. Some people attempt to spread the suspicion that if other nations are encouraged to raise their standard of living our own American standard of living must necssarily be depressed. The fact is very contrary. It has been shown time and again that if the standard of living of any country goes up, so does its purchasing power, and such a rise encourages a better standard of living in the neighbouring countries with which it trades. That is just plain common sense and it is the kind of plain common sense that provided the basis for our discussions in Moscow, Cairo, and Teheran.”

The President went on to attack the noisy minority who look upon war primarily as a chance to make profits for themselves at the expense of their neighbours—profits in terms of money or political and social preferment. He instanced increased food costs which brought new demands for wage increases from war workers, which in turn raised all prices for all things, including those things the farmers themselves had to buy. “If ever there was a time to subordinate individual or group selfishness to the national good, that time is now.” he said. "Disunity at home, bickerings, self-seeking partisanship, stoppages of work, inflation, business as usUal, and luxury as usual—these are influences which can undermine the morale of the brave men who are ready to die at the front for us here.”

Giving a warning against complacency, Mr Roosevelt stated that after the victories at Stalingrad, in Tunisia, and against the U-boats, overconfidence became so pronounced that war production fell off to the extent that in June and July more than 1000 aeroplanes which should and could have been made were not made. It was necessary to remember the example of 1918, when, even as the tide turned in favour of the Allies, the American Government did not relax; in fact, the national effort was stepped up, and only three months later Germany surrendered. That was the way to fight and win the war—all out. Five Measures Proposed “Therefore.” he said, “in order to concentrate all our energies and resources on winning the war and maintaining sound economy at Mme, I recommend that Congress adopt: “(1) A realistic tax law which will tax all unreasonable profits, both individual and corporate, and reduce the ultimate cost of the war to cur sons and daughters “(2) A continuation of the law for a re-negotiation of war contracts waica

will prevent exorbitant profits, and assure fair prices to the Governmeftt. “(3) A cost of food law which will enable the Government to place a reasonable floor under prices which the farmer may expect for his production, and place a ceiling on the prices the consumer will have to pay for the food he buys. “(4) An early re-enactment of thd stabilisation statute of October, 1942. (This expires on June 30. and If it is not extended well in advance, the country might just as well expect price chaos by the summer.) “(5) A national service law which for the duration of the war will , prevent strikes, and. with certain appropriate exceptions, make available for war production or any other essential services every able-bodied ~ dnlt in this nation. “These five measures together form a just and equitable whole.” - ■ British Unity Cited In connection with the proposal for a national service law, the President, said: “The experience of Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand has shown that the very existence' of a national service law makes unnecessary the widespread use of compulsory power for national service, and it has proved by unifying moral force, based on an equal comprehensive legal obligation. that all the people in the nation are in the war. •• ■ “It is my conviction that the American people will welcome this win the war measure, which is based on the eternally just principle of a fair deal for all. It will give our people at home an assurance that they are standing four-square behind our soldiers and sailors, and it will give our enemies the demoralising assurance that We itifedh business—that we 130.000.000 Americans are on the march to Rome. Berlin, and Tokio.” National Service a Necessity “For three years I have hesitated to recommend a National Service Act. To-day I am convinced it is a~ necessity. Although I believe we and our Allies can win the war without such a measure, I am certain nothing less than total mobilisation of all Our resources of manpower and capital will guarantee earlier victory and reduce the toll of suffering, sorrow Arid blood,” said the President. “I have received joint recommendations for this law from the heads of the War and Navy Departments and the Maritime Commission. These men bear the responsibility for the . procurement of the necessary war equipment and the successful prosecution of the war in the field. There are millions of American men and women who are not in this war at all. It Is not because they do not want to be in it, but because they want to know where they can best do their share. National service would provide that direction. e-,.--....

“The policy that guided us at Moscow, Cairo and Teheran,” concluded Mr Roosevelt, “is based on the commonsense principle best expressed by Benjamin Franklin in 1776: ‘We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.’ m j. “I have often said there are no two fronts for America in this war; There is only one front. There is only one line of unity, which extends from the hearts of the people at home to the men of the attacking forces in outposts in the Far East. Each and every one of us has a solemn obligation under God to serve this nation in' the most critical hour to keep the nation great and make the nation greater in a better world.” The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says the labour spokesman expressed strong opposition to Mr Roosevelt's proposed national service legislation. Tire President of the Congress of Industrial Organisations. Mr Phillip Murray, termed the proposal “quack medicine." The spokesman disagreed with the President s contention that legislation would prevent strikes. He pointed out that Britain and Canada have compulsory service laws, nevertheless strikes were increasing in those countries. Wholeheartedly endorsing the scheme the "New York Times." says editorially that its enactment would give Berlin and Tokio complete and final proof that we intend to fight the war to the full limit of our power and ability..

Campaign Platform ■ Many Republicans and Democrats interpret Mr Roosevelt's message as his campaign platform should he become a candidate for a foruth term, says the Washington correspondent of the "New York Herald-Tribune.” Strong administration supporters, who have never thought of a candidate in 1944 other than Mr Roosevelt, now feel that they have a platform to go

The “Herald - Tribune" editorially says the message shows Mr Roosevelt at his best and worst. Only one decent reaction is possible—accept the best and forget the rest. National ervii» with correlated action on taxes, prices and profits is the key to all the ■•present difficulties. These basic recommendations are sound and should be adopted.