608 State Papers and Addresses

proach on home defense as well. In the week since Pearl Harbor, un-
limited thought and attention have been given to the adequate defense of our
coastline, the cities and the homes of our citizens. And properly so. Requests
have been made by citizens, which if granted, would require untold quantities
of material and equipment.

Now, with the experience of these sixty days behind us, we must appreciate
that, necessary as it is to protect our cities and home and edifices, there is
today infinitely greater need for concentrating equipment and guns at the seat
of warfare itself, particularly in the Far East.

Who has not thrilled to the recurring reports of the heroic defense of the
Philippines, under that great warrior and patriot the courageous and able
General Douglas MacArthur? In future days, it is safe to predict, MacArthur's
name will be added to the long list of famous American military leaders, for
surely be exemplifies the finest military traditions of America. His name will
go down in history because his carefully planned defense of the Island of Luzon
has proven him a master of strategy.

His needs in the matter of armament are immediate and pressing. To
answer his needs our home front cannot be supplied at once with all basic
materials and supplies. Our people must face the fact that our boys on the
battle-front must be furnished weapons and ammunition. Anxious as we are
to insure that our cities and our homes are protected, it would be a crime
against patriotism, against the memory of those who have fallen to date in
this war, to allow General MacArthur and his valiant men in Bataan to go down
to destruction because we took, for our protection, the things he needed so
terribly.

Not that we must not take every precaution towards warding off bombing
and other hostile attacks from our heavily populated cities and vital defense
areas. Nevertheless, in the situation in which we now find ourselves with re-
gard to materials, anti-aircraft and other heavy guns, as well as in fighting
and bombing planes, we must realize that those things will be infinitely more
effective right now in the Philippines, or Hawaii, or Burma, or helping to hold
Singapore as a basis for future operations against Japan. In the cause upon
which we all are embarked, we must gladly forgo them, if it is so decreed by
the military leaders, so that they may be sent where they can achieve the
greatest results.

When Axis submarines are sinking American ships off our Maryland Coast,
as happened within the past few days, it gives us food for serious thought.
Here is the war being brought to our very door steps, so to speak. With hostile
raiders that close, it is entirely possible that cities along the coast may be
subjected to shelling. Whatever may come, however, must be accepted with
courage, and without whimpering. Everything that can be done, with the
materials at hand, will be done to guard our people in every way.

"Remember Pearl Harbor" seems destined to go down through the ages as
an American battle cry. It will take its place in the lexicon of embattled na-
tions along with other famous slogans—"Remember the Maine"—"Give Me