548 State Papers and Addresses

COMBINED CIVIC CLUBS
November 25, 1941

Pocomoke City

OF all the momentous questions facing the State and Nation in this hour of
crisis, undoubtedly the one that dwarfs all others in importance is the
question of adequate National Defense. For that reason and because, as Di-
rector of Civilian Defense for the State, it has been my function to initiate
many of the steps in regard to Defense here in Maryland, it would seem that
the most immediate matter concerning which I could talk to you tonight would
be the question of Defense preparedness.

America has faced war before, and many of its people have known the
intimate horror of battles staged within sight of their very homesteads. Our
history recounts many incidents, too, where our women, and our boys, have
taken active part in efforts to repulse enemy attack.

Down through the pages of history other nations, too, have known the
terrible consequences of invasion and complete subjugation. All too many
records there are of whole peoples being dispersed or carried into slavery, or
maltreated in savage fashion. In every instance, however, the treatment visited
upon the women and children of conquered towns and countries has come as a •
result of victory, and only after the warriors on opposing sides had settled the
issue by force or arms.

Today, however, many countries of the world have faced,. or are facing,
assaults upon their non-combatant populations, such as even the most ruthless
barbarians of ancient times never conceived. These attacks, moreover, are not
an aftermath of conquests, but as the result of devilish advance planning. They
are being carried on as part of a general all-out plan to destroy entire
peoples....

One man, a mad man—but in many ways a genius—has done the im-
possible. Having seized the control of the German people and their resources,
Hitler has, within a few years, without provocation, attacked, terrorized and
conquered fifteen proud and ancient nations!. With tyrannic fury he has
wrecked the homes, ravaged the commerce, seized the property, and destroyed
the liberties of four-fifths of the people of Europe.

His will alone holds the fate of hundreds of millions—and without any
restraint of law, morals, or religion, such as for hundreds of years the civilized
world has depended upon for individual and national protection. With the
accumulated resources of men and materials thus obtained, Hitler and his
Germany are now engaged in the bloody process of attempting to master the
world.

The ruthless fanaticism with which his course has been attended, together
with the almost unimaginable success he and his revolution have so far attained,