of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 531

We hope and we pray that America and all its people will continue to be
free from sudden death dropped from the skies. But at the same time we must
not neglect, and we are not neglecting, to provide against a possible day of air
invasion, and to prepare for defense in case such attack should ever materialize.

Beginning Tuesday, Armistice Day, there will be observed in Maryland,
and throughout the United States, Civilian Defense Week. Our purpose is to
bring home forcibly to everyone of our people the absolute necessity of com-
plete preparedness for any type of emergency that may arise, but particularly
against actual invasion on the land or through1 the air.

" At the request of President Roosevelt, I have issued a proclamation to
this effect, urging every resident of Maryland to realize the emergency, to
inform all citizens of their expected part in defense preparations, and to be
ready in whatever capacity may be designated, no matter what the cost may be.

Service under the banner of Civilian Defense is open to every able-bodied
man and woman amongst us. And not only is it open to everyone but, in the
light of what we have seen of Civilian Defense, in England, the services of
everyone will be necessary. Unless everyone accepts the responsibility for
such service, complete Civilian Defense, in all its varied phases, will not be
possible.

Warfare as developed by the totalitarian Governments, is directed just as
definitely against the men and women, the children and the old, as it is against
the military forces. In fact, it at times concentrates against such defenseless
objectives to gain advantage by destroying the country's morale, and by im-
peding the proper defense activities of the attacked country through panic.
It is history now how the defense of France and Belgium was rendered im-
possible by the hordes of panic-stricken civilians who blocked the roads needed
by the military defenders.

Civilian Defense, however, is a comparatively new phase of warfare, and
calls for thorough training on the part of the civilian population who will par-
ticipate. Briefly, it works through several branches of one supreme organiza-
tion. One branch, the Aircraft Warning System, has been organized for some-
time in our State, and -during the recent air raid activities in October, there
were between 2, 000 and 3, 000 volunteers who took part, comprising about 150,
or half, the State's observation posts.

The purpose of this System is to warn of the approach of hostile aircraft
by means of spotters, placed throughout the State, who report the approach
and probable objective of enemy planes through "filter centers" to "information
centers. "

When the control centers receive warning of approaching enemy planes, the
local forces of civilian protection are brought into play. If it is night-time, a
blackout is ordered, air raid wardens get people into shelter, auxiliary firemen
and policemen take their posts, fire watchers report to locate failing bombs,
messengers and drivers report for duty under the direction of the Staff Corps;
emergency medical service, ambulances, first aid stations and hospitals are
readied for prompt action. Demolition, road repair and bombing disposal