of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 711

Underlying every address, however, and inspiring every utterance, was the
firm conviction on the part of Governors and Federal officials alike, that there
was only one important task facing America at the moment, and that task, the
achievement of Victory.

This fact cannot be emphasized too strongly now. Even the least informed
of Americans must realize, from a study of the news of the past week, that the
war has entered another dark phase. American naval and air successes in the
Coral Sea and at Midway in recent weeks, had tended to give our people a lulling
sense of optimism.

When we take note of what has happened since Midway, however, and see
the fall of Tobruk opening the way to German inroads upon Egypt; when we
note the falling back of the Russian armies after heroic stands; and when, final-
ly, we experience the shock of having some of the Aleutian Islands seized, and
our West Coast shelled by the enemy—then, indeed, it would be folly to ignore
the fact that the war is going badly for the United Nations.

The set-backs in Libya and in Russia, admittedly of a serious nature; with
possible far-reaching consequences, have implications just as unfavorable for
the United States as for England and for Russia. They impress anew upon
our minds the gravity of the situation that faces our Country. They serve to
stress most forcibly the need for fullest mobilization of every resources at our
command.

With forces so powered and so resourceful opposed to us, nothing less than
a maximum effort on all fronts will deserve, or can possibly achieve, Victory.
We can't afford another Tobruk, another Singapore. The United Nations have
suffered all the disasters that can be absorbed. Never again must we be
caught unprepared, never again must we be foolish enough to underestimate
the strength of our enemies.

When we talk of fullest mobilization of resources, it signifies far more than
it ever could have meant in wars of other days. Fullest mobilization today
means that we must place millions of trained, disciplined troops in the field,
fully equipped with every mechanical device. It means also that, to back up
these military forces, and to assure them the staggering quantities of materials
and supplies' they need, other millions of our people, women as well as men, must
be mobilized on the second fighting front, the Production Line.

The vastness of organization in manpower required for this is clear when
we realize that, while there were 6, 300, 000 persons engaged in war industries
at the close of last year, there will be needed 17, 000, 000, or almost three times
as many, by the end of this year. The end of '43 will raise that total to at least
20, 000, 000 persons.

Still further millions are needed, and to a great extent already have been
enrolled, in the third major phase of warfare, the protection of our homeland in
case of hostile attack or any emergency. In our State today, for instance, there
are listed under the banner of Civilian Defense more than 165, 000 volunteers.
A great portion of these have been given training in such important activities