624 State Papers and Addresses

raider s -waste their bombs, we have served our Country—we have actually en-
gaged in an aggressive defense.

A few days ago I called for the organization of the Minute Men of Mary-
land; the purpose being to give every locality in the State a means of protection
against any possible invasion attempt. We already have a militarized State
Guard ready to do service wherever the need occurs. These units, and all
units so organized, are the biceps behind the first which fights for freedom.

When the final history of World War No. 2 is written, listed among the
"Great Victories" of this many-sided struggle, will be the defense of Bataan
Peninsula by that valiant band of American and Filipino soldiers under the
peerless leadership. of General Douglas MacArthur. No matter what the final
outcome of this campaign may be, it has been a "delaying action" with few
parallels in the long history of war throughout the world.

By his well-planned and superbly executed gradual withdrawal, General
MacArthur has held up freat masses of Japanese troops that, but for him,
would now be striking at other vital points. His defense of Bataan not only
has immobilized thousands of Japanese troops, but it has disarranged the whole
time schedule of the Japanese attack, and has given opportunity to America to
gain the working hours that were so imperative following Japan's surprise
attack.

Yes, the time is here to show the stuff of which we are made. It is a
struggle for survival where the fittest will come out on top. Every nerve and
sinew of this living entity we call American must be strained for the surpreme
effort. Give us faith in, the final outcome, and we are that much stronger for
the fight. For the battle will be carried to the enemy, never fear. Today our
soldiers have gone to the outsposts of the world to meet the foe. Say to the
ever-lasting credit of America, that we did not lie cringing on our doorsteps
waiting to be smitten. Our flag still flies on the Bataan Peninsula. It waves
today in Australia, in Iceland, in Africa, in the British Isles. Yes, and it will
be advanced into the very strongholds of the enemy. And while that is the
process of happening abroad, let us keep it flying here—a symbol of strength,
a token of defiance, and a promise to all the world that better times shall come.

Because industrial output is so important in this war, on aggressive de-
fense means a counter-offensive against waste of precious materials. It may
be easier to burn your last night's newspaper that to save it for the Salvage
Board. It takes a good deal of trouble to go around your home or your farm
and gather up the scrap-iron. But to do so is to cooperate in a policy of ag-
gressive defense.

The ultimate goal of everyone connected with the American! war effort is
to wrest the offensive from the enemy. That seems so obvious a fact that one
hesitates to mention it. Yet there are Americans who keep harping upon it.
As if we did know—you and I—that we must carry the fight to Hitler and
the Jap. Of course we must. The quicker, the better. And, of course, every
means is being taken to do so. But first we must lay the foundations, we must
create the strong spring-board of power from which to launch an all-out attack.