A ROOM OF OUR OWN

...Shall we give him that satLsfactin...

...The argument now revolves around the issue of "defending America by aiding the Allies...

...What of American reaction...

...Bob La Follette Jr...

...The opponents to this stand are coming more into the open these days but also continue to use every means to confuse and worry those who like the rest of the world are thinking in terms of their own country...

...Many of us have known for years that the present European war was inevitable...

...In this foreign and domestic crisis we should stay in session...

...Many who wanted to get America into European affairs on the side of the Allies were checked by the roar that went up from the American people...

...The experts teil us that not only will it take billions of money but it will also be some time before we can achieve these defenses, military, naval, and air...

...As Bob says, "America has the opportunity o( emerging from this world crisis as the strongest nation on earth if we will follow our determination to solve our own domestic problems and keep out of the European war...

...Is sounding the same note in this critical hour...

...Never did we need more to "gather ourselves together" and think clearly and courageously...

...Our memlsphere was divinely destined to evolve peace, security and plenty...

...Here it was ordained that man should work out the final act in the great drama of life...

...So, in keeping with watchful waiting, they suited their tunes to the mood of their hearers...

...But if wc allo^ ourselves to be drawn into the Euiopcan slaughter...

...It is the ancient unscrupulous attempt to shame us from our position by pointing a "holier-than-thou" finger plus the timeiy play J-r the American people's healthy hatred to all dis-trtcrshio...

...They have said so again and again whenever they have had the chance...

...In last autumn's fight over the lifting of the arms embargo, the issue raised was not peace or war, but as to which course would best insure us peace...

...It will bleed us while and leave us as helpless as the r/it...

...Those who have had an opportunity to watch the various developments i n Europe during the past seven years have warned continuously of what was taking place, but too many people in the countries directly concerned and here in America refused to face the unpleasant truth...

...Those who feel bound to join the European conflict are using every means at their command to enlist our country...

...But again as in the embargo fight, too many leaders in positions of responsibility are not dealing honestly with us...

...In his speech at the founding of the National Progressives over two years ago, Phil caused considerable surprise and comment with his words, "We believe that this hemisphere—all of is—was set aside by our Creator for the ultimate destiny of man...

...This is a fact which we can readily understand...

...Roosevelt's request, congress has voted, and continues to vote, huge sums for our national defense...

...Thus was changed a program which had been adopted by congress and signed by Pres...

...At our Wisconsin Rapids Progressive Birthday party he said, "We must and shall provide adequate military defenses for this hemisphere to protect us against Invasion or interference...

...A tax bill is before congress, and we shall be anxiously watching to see how these billions are to be raised...

...There is no doubt in anybody's mind, whether they concur or not, that the American people are for peace...

...Surely there shall be 100 per cent tax on war profits and the additional millions, which will soon be billions, levied as a graduated sur-tax on Incomes on the principle of "those best able to pay...

...It has been pointed out again and again during this period by many observers that the tangled mess of European politics was brewing the worst war in history...

...Suddenly the inevitable began to happen The power of the Nazi "blitz-kreig" was unleashed with the most ghastly results...

...I would vote the last man and the last dollar, if necessary, to defend this hemisphere, but In the name of democracy I pledge you that I shall never give my ote to send American boys to fight overseas in a foreign war...

...The onlv question I have seen raised is by those who want to be sure that we are getting the best for our money...

...What are the facts to be faced...

...appeal...

...it takes money, time and skill to produce what our government has ordered...

...One popular method of the moment is to appeal to people's fears by talk of "Fifth column" activities In America, and like a recent Chicago Daily News cartoon to class the so-called "isolationists" with Nazis and Communists...

...This was the issue in the public mind, but some of our leadership was not honest in its public statements...

...Almost every day now one reads of new requests from the president for increased millions for our national defense...

...At Pres...

...The •mbargo should be lifted to "ensure peace...

...Since it will take months to get our war production going, just what does the president plan to do...

...Who is to be supplied first with these at present too-few war materials...

...A man whose business takes him through the Dakotas, Minnesota and western Wisconsin (with large Scandinavian-descent-populations) reports that their settlement on defense is that they want "machinery" but also are suspicious of writing a blank check even for that...

...Bob went on to say, "I am opposed to the adjournment of congress...

...Why is it that some of us allow our emotions to change decisions which we made with careful judgment when our minds were cool...

...From the Arctic to Cape Horn let no foreign power trespass...

...The gravity of the situation demands honest, self-less service to America, and every true-blooded American will resent the making of a "political foot-ball" of our foreign policy...

...The policy is the vital thing, rather than the man or the party...

...Here a vast continent was kept virgin for centuries...

...A Room of Our Own Our Foreign Poliey People for Peace Views of Bob and Phil By ISABEL BACON LA FOLLETTE THE fight being carried on today over American foreign policy is far too important a matter to be treated with such sloppy or dishonest thinking as il being indulged in by many people...

...Let us wake up and shake ourselves free of such rhacKlCo of suspicion and fear...

...We should discharge our responsibility to provide the country with a program for adequate national defense, a sound tax bill to meet it, and a dynamic program to attack our domestic problems of unemployment, insecurity and low farm income...

...Roosevelt to keep America out of Europe at a time when our nation was thinking calmly of its own welfare...

...Those of us who opposed that change in policy have been unhappily watching our predictions come true...

...As in the embargo fight, the people know what they want: Stay out of Europe's wars...

...Sitting at the radio as we all have done during these past horrible weeks, too many cf us have almost allowed ourselves to be-crr.ic victims of Hitler's "war of nerves...

...Still our people are for peace...

...Every country In the world has been, is, and .should be thinking ir, terms of its own welfare...

...I haven't seen any notices in the papers that the airplane manufacturers are offering to furnish planes free to the Allies or even to America A gift of planes to the Allies would come out of the pockctbooks of the American taxpayer, and since the Allies have both the opportunity and the credit to buy for themselves, this is Just another false-baser...

...still they insist on every occasion that they do not want to send American boys onto Europe's battlefields...

...Last evening a friend asked me if I did not think we should furnish the Allies air-planes free, another popular idea of the moment for those who wish to ''defend America by aiding the Allies'' This idea appeals to many who forget that someone has to pay for those planes...

...But, like the practical people we Americans are, we want to know what the president and experts mean by our "national defense...

...adequate home defenses...

...It is a tremendous job which will take the best American administrative ability and productive skill...

...It shall remain inviolate for that sacred purpose...

...We have only to follow that course faithfully and we will be in a position when the war Is over to offer some real assistance to the war-torn nations in bringing about a lasting peace and extending aid to the victims of war and aggression...