732 State Papers and Addresses

Aleutians (and America hasn't begun to appreciate the unpleasant possibili-
ties of the occupation there; ) the progress made by Hitler on the Russian
front makes plain that the immediate danger point to the United Nations is
in Europe.

These next three months in Europe will determine whether America will
face a war of years, or can hope for a victorious peace at an earlier date. If
America and the United Nations are to escape the tragedy of a long-drawn
out conflict, that escape must be effected before the Germans have won their
way to a winter haven where they can prepare for a long period of misery
for the world.

There must be — and there will be — a second front. America never
has depended upon other Nations to settle her issues. The offensive will be
taken by the United States in Europe so that Hitler and his kind will know
that there can be two parties to a fight.

Our people must be prepared! for future developments which will force our
Country into the position of becoming the principal foe against the Axis hordes.
The drains upon Britain, after several years of conflict, and the in-roads made
upon Russia, despite her courageous defense, combine to make it inevitable
that America assume the major role in the future. With the extensive re-
sources of our Country, America will be the chief source of material and of
manpower in following chapters of the war.

As a matter of fact, our complete involvement in the war was bound to
occur. Even before the down-fall of Poland, our people were arrayed against
Hitler's purposes. It galled us to have to stand by and witness his desecration
of the human race; his scuttling of individual liberty and his ravishment of
everything worthwhile in civilized life.

In like manner, our deadly combat with the Japanese militarists did not
start at Pearl Harbor. Freedom-loving Americans revolted at the spectacle
of enslavement of the Chinese from the beginning. Before America was
officially hi the war, there was echoed everywhere in the land, the words of an
early American patriot who said, "Our brothers are already in the field. Why
stand we here idle?"

Our brothers ? To be sure they are! For we have a fraternal connection,
ordained by God), with all liberty-loving people everywhere in the world.
Maybe some of our people did not believe that we would become parties to
the fray, but, certainly our enemies knew it. They knew that they could not
wipe out liberty and freedom from the face of the earth without stifling
America. That is why they struck first and stabbed us in the back. That is
why Hitler has, for years implanted spies1 and traitors in our very midst.

But happily there have been preparations made for this day and for
the perlious times which lie ahead. In every State in the Union there have
been up-and-doing efforts for just such an emergency.

It is a coincidence that it was two years ago this week - on August 5th
and 6th of 1940, we held the first Nation-wide conference of Federal and State
officials in Washington to adopt the master plan. Governors and Attorney
Generals of the various States joined with the high-ranking Federal officials