664 State Papers and Addresses

sary to organize such units suggests! the type of war in which we are engaged,
and the dangers that threaten us, as a State, from participation in this conflict.

Why should1 we have aircraft spotters, emergency squads, medical, fire,
police auxiliaries, and all the other Civilian Defense units, except in anticipa-
tion of hostile attacks, and because we know not what form they will assume,
or when to expect them?

There is a very important word in the dictionary these days, which has
been rediscovered for military purposes. It is a word which in this war can
mean victory or defeat. That is the word "surprise. "

Hitler knew what that word meant when his officers breathlessly reported
to him that Allied Commandos had made surprise raids upon Norway. Hirohito
had that word indelibly impressed upon him when apologetic generals an-
nounced to him that American bombers were over Tokyo, and were dropping
bombs on that allegedly "sacred" city. Both of these inhuman rulers will have
plenty of worries in the future when they find out what kind of surprise
parties are being planned for them at this moment by the greatest military
planner of all times, our own General Douglas MacArthur.

However, let us come home to Maryland. It. would be reassuring if we
could tell you definitely that these surprises were only to be one-sided—that is,
against the Axis. Unfortunately, we cannot. The enemy has surprises for us
too. But rest assured that, as far as it has been humanly possible to do, every
effort has been made, and every means at our command used, to prepare this
State of Maryland so completely, so efficiently, that we will be ready for any
eventuality.

In many conferences with the responsible military officials we have been
assured of adequate military protectioon in case of enemy attacks on Maryland.
Similar reassurance has resulted from repeated conferences with ranking offi-
cials of the Navy. Maryland's shoreline, so vulnerable to enemy attack and to
hostile landing forces, is being patrolled day and night, and its strategic points
are as safe as military preparedness can make them.

However, we haven't stopped there. Marylanders have always been ready
and proud to defend their own State against any enemy. That spirit accounts
for the excellant trained soldiers in the Maryland State Guard, of which you
have just witnessed such splended examples. These men, many of them vete-
rans of the last war, have given generously of their time and efforts to insure
for the people of Maryland, for their own families and homes, the utmost
possible protection. During a recent inspection by Army officials, the Mary-
land State Guard was complimented highly for its efficiency, its high calibre of
men and its discipline. You may be sure it will be maintained on its present
high plane.

Nor have we stopped even here, in the matter of providing protection for
Maryland. There is still another organization of Reserve Militia Men, which
will be most important in taking the"surprise"out of any Axis attacks on Mary-
land. These recently organized patriotic citizens in the Maryland Minute Men
even now number more than 6, 000 strong. Formed in companies of 50 men