The Waikato Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1941. GREAT MOMENT FOR DEMOCRACY

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21373, 18 March 1941, Page 4

The Waikato Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1941. GREAT MOMENT FOR DEMOCRACY

Mr Roosevelt’s picture of the American people’s championship of the cause of democracy is one of the most inspiring things that ever came out of the United States. To the British Empire, which has for years been familiar with the American desire to remain free of European entanglements and maintain a strict neutrality, the metamorphosis is almost startling. To the defenders of democracy the President’s speech was tremendously encouraging; to the Axis Powers it must have sounded like the knell of doom. This is one of the great moments in American history. Indeed it is the greatest moment, for America’s action now will not only determine the future of the Western Hemisphere but will profoundly affect the course of the whole world’s history—if the American people fully implement Mr Roosevelt’s promises. Mr Roosevelt’s programme is not a thing of the indefinite future. His emphasis was upon the need for the utmost possible speed. “ Here in Washington,” he said, “ we are thinking in terms of speed, and speed now, and I hope that that watchword will find its way into every home in the nation. We shall have to make sacrifices, every one of us. The final extent of those sacrifices will depend upon the speed with which we act now.” And coupled with speed Mr Roosevelt demands the exertion of the full strength of the nation. “ Halfhearted effort on our part will lead to failure,” he said. “ This is no part-time job. The concepts of ‘business as usual’ and ‘normalcy’ must be forgotten until the task is finished. This is an all-out effort. Nothing short of an all-out effort will win. We are now dedicated from here on to a constantly increasing tempo of production, a production greater than we now know or have ever known before, a production that does not stop and should not pause; and so tonight I am appealing to the heart and mind of every man and every woman within our borders who loves liberty.” Britain will appreciate particularly the American recognition of the need for ships to ensure that the means of defending democracy can be moved freely and in ample volume. “ Upon the national will to sacrifice and to work depends the output of our industry and our agriculture,” the President said. “ Upon that will depend the survival of the vital bridge across the ocean—the bridge of ships which carry arms and food for those who are fighting the good fight. Upon that will depends our ability to aid other nations which may determine to offer resistance. Upon that will may depend practical assistance to people now living in nations which have been overrun, and I hope a day will soon come when they will find an opportunity to strike back in an effort to regain their liberties. This will of the American people will not be frustrated either by threats from powerful enemies abroad or by small selfish groups or individuals at home.” Mr Roosevelt has caught the vision of justice at last triumphant in a world which now has in large part passed under the penumbra of an evil influence. That vision has been realised and solidified in the open forum of the nation. America has realised at last that it can no longer stand aside while the gigantic world battle of right against might is fought. It knows now that upon the results of that battle depends the future of America itself. The two alternatives are unmistakable. America has seen the choice of a world dominated by tyrants and a world in which there shall be freedom, justice and honour for all nations. And because the American people are what they are there has been a great upsurge of spirit and the birth of a new determination that the way of life for which the American Constitution stands, and all honourable men’s conception of life as it should be lived, shall not perish from the earth.