712 State Papers and Addresses

as Air Raid Wardens, auxiliary firemen and police, medical and first aid per-
sonnel, etc. You have seen the various groups represented in the splendid de-
monstration this afternoon. Too much praise could never be lavished upon
those of your own country and elsewhere who have given of their time and effort
to asure for all citizens the fullest measure of protection possible.

With such a spirit animating them, it is little wonder that the recent Country-
wide review of State Guard Units by regular Army inspectors1 established the
Maryland National Guard at the very head of the list of State Guard Units, in
the matter of organization, efficiency and equipment.

Finally, and not to be overlooked, is the newest military group in our State,
The Maryland Minute Men. Organized in the various communities throughout
the State, the Minute Men will be available for the defense of their homes and
their immediate vicinities in case of sudden or unforeseen disaster. Most of
them own their own guns, many are buying their own uniforms. In every case
they are inspired with one thought, namely, to be ready at a moment's notice to
defend with their very lives, if necessary, the possessions we all hold sacred.

With the State Guard and Minute Men to back up the regular Army troops
in this area, and with Civilian Defense forces organized in most effective fashion,
Maryland will be ready for any test that might come. It is our hope that there
will never be an occasion to bring into actual play the various forces represented
so well in today's review. However, unfortunate experiences of the conquered
countries of Europe have amply demonstrated that the surest way to avoid dis-
aster is to be prepared fully to meet it. This Maryland definitely has done.

In justifying an appeal for all-out cooperation in the war effort by every
man and woman in America, one has but to consider that not only is the present
out-look uncertain, but the task confronting the United States is one of such
magnitude it is difficult fully to comprehend it.

For the present, America is still playing mostly a defensive role, while it?
factories and training camps are preparing feverishly, but efficiently, for the
offensive operations that will be necessary to achieve Victory.

Neverthless, American forces are operating on world-wide fronts. In the
Atlantic, they are defending the vital Eastern Coastline and the Panama Canal,
and convoying thousands of troops and supplies to England and Russia. In the
Pacific they are protecting the West Coast, Alaska, Hawaii and Midway, while
the 6, 000 miles of ocean between San Francisco and Australia offer a problem
of the first magnitude. In addition, the operation of American troops or air
forces in Australia, in Egypt, in China and India, make necessary the mainten-
ance of supply lines over many, many thousands of miles.

There is a bright side to the picture, however. America's military and
productive efforts have begun to be felt on many fronts, and will be felt in
rapidly increasing measure as each month goes by.

Definitely, American planes are beginning to tip the scales of Victory in
favor of the United Nations. In the now historic battle of the Coral Sea,
American Naval and land-based planes forced the mighty Japanese fleet to turn
tail and flee and inflicted the greatest losses in any sea battle in Japanese his-
tory.