A small booklet, “Eyewitness,” compiled and edited by Clare Ogden Davis during WWII and published by Fight For Freedom, Inc., offers the opinions of nineteen noted journalists of the time about entering the war against Hitler. They provide an interesting insight into the dangers of the schism that exists today in Americans’ attitudes about the War on Terror and in Iraq.
Once again, we are reminded of the prophetic words of philosopher George Santayana, who wrote: "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Following are selected excerpts from “Eyewitness:”
“To them, this man and his murderous crew are not the great danger of the nation but those crying warnings against him. Whether these men are deliberate Quislings or tragically unconscious ones, they are Hitler’s (Osama bin Laden’s) greatest allies.”
-Robert S. Allen, Journalist, co-author of column with Drew Pearson, “Washington Merry-go-round.”
“Until they are ready for us they will go on trying to paralyze us with their serpent line and with the help of cynical minorities in this country.”
-Jay Allen, Journalist, Liberated prisoner of the Nazis in France.
“We shall have no security in this country while Japan (Islamofascism) remains powerful and arrogant.”
-Hallett Abend, New York Times
“We have got to stop expecting somebody else to win this war for us.”
-Herbert Agar, Editor, Louisville Courier-Journal
“All our troubles now are based on gnawings of conscience. We are officially consecrated to victory. Not shooting makes us feel cowards, but worse than that, not shooting discourages our friends, who if they really begin to despair of us will have to make the best deals they can and throw us to the scavengers.”
-John L. Balderston, Chief of the London Bureau of the New York World.
“Today, on a broader horizon, the same tenet applies. Divided we will fall. United – and only united – we will stand.”
-Virginia Cowles, author, from her book, “Looking For Trouble.”
“We can face the issue with the Nazis (Islamofascists) in Europe (Middle East) . . . or we can face the issue in the Western Hemisphere later and alone.”
-Wallace Deuel, reporter with Chicago Daily News in Berlin.
“There are three salient facts about this war.”
“1. The Nazis (Islamofascists) are fighting not only to dominate Europe (Middle East), but the whole world.”
“2, They are fighting not only to dominate but to ENSLAVE the world for the benefit of the so called ‘superior’ German (Muslim) race (faith).”
“3. . . . It has become an imperative necessity that EVERYONE, however remote or secure they may deem their country and themselves, should understand the true nature of the Nazi (Islamofascist) menace and make preparations to meet, forestall and conquer it.”
-Walter Duranty, New York Times.
“Social engineering has devised no method of insulating; social chemistry has developed no means of immunizing a part of humanity against the insinuating, corroding influence of a conquering totalitarianism. No man will be secure. No man will be happy. No man will be free.”
- Louis Fischer, correspondent, in his book, “Men and Politics.”
“If Hitler (Islamofascists) win in Europe (Middle East), he (they) will tackle Latin America (Europe) next, which is our exposed and vulnerable frontier. We must stop the Nazis (Islamofascists) now.”
-John Gunther, author of “Inside Asia,” “Inside Europe.”
“The question before the American people is a clear one. In the world of the future some one powerful nation or group of nations is going to exert the dominant influence and maintain the peace. America can either belong to that dominant force or submit to it.”
-Joseph C. Harsch, CBS and NBC correspondent, author of “Pattern of Conquest.”
“…like the Americans of today, (were) fond of ease and comfort and cherished a false sense of national security in the face of grave dangers from without and within.”
-H.V. Kaltenborn, radio commentator.
“… We can only make the world safe for America by National Offense, by striking now with all the strength God has given us, to destroy in his own lair the contemptuous enemy of the United States and of mankind.”
-H.R. Knickerbocker, correspondent, Philadelphia Public Leger, the New York Evening Post and the International News Service.
“Fascism – anywhere – is horrible. I am in favor of fighting it abroad and at home.”
-Stephen Laird, Fortune Magazine, Time Magazine
“As surely as the Sultans seized Budapest and Cortes Mexico, so surely will the Nazis (Islamofascists) take the Americas unless we arise now and fight them. No conqueror in history has been stopped until he was licked.”
-R. H. Markham, correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor
“They replace private enterprise by slavery. They assert their right to rule the world as a ‘master race.’ . . . We must oppose them and beat them in the end, or lose our liberties and all that makes America worth fighting for.”
-Douglas Miller, author of “You Can’t Do Business With Hitler.”
“If he succeeds, he will be potentially stronger than Britain and America combined. World domination will be in sight . . . Wake up, Washington!”
-Edgar Ansel Mowrer, head of Chicago Daily News Bureau in Berlin.
“. . . – we can’t go on half at war and half at peace.”
-Ben Robertson, London Correspondent of PM.
“. . . that if he wins in Europe and Africa (the Middle East) he (Oasama bin Laden) will in the end launch it (war) unless we are prepared to give up our way of living and adapt ourselves to a subservient place in his totalitarian scheme of things.”
-William L. Schirer, veteran newsman.
“I say that the world in which we live today cannot exist half slave and half free. Freedom? It can never be bought over a bargain counter. Freedom? We shall preserve it, and we shall have it, only if we are brave enough and wise enough to defend it while yet there is time.”
-Leland Stowe, European correspondent, author of “No Other Road to Freedom.”
“Too late! Too late! What a tragic phrase! We should hurry, for it is indeed later than we think.
-Lowell Thomas, author, lecturer, radio commentator.
“Now this nation is in danger from without because there is a plan abroad ‘to make over the entire world.”
-Dorothy Thompson, correspondent of the Philadelphia Public Ledger and the New York Evening Post in Vienna.
“…we must remain constantly and acutely aware that only moral sabotage within our own ranks can nullify our efforts. Our fight for freedom has entered its most significant and decisive phase.”
-Pierre van Paassen, author, “Days of Our Years.”
“Toward the United States, more than any other nation in the world today, the suppressed people of Europe (the world) turn for faith. The belief that we, in our dream of free men everywhere, will meet the challenge, is the spark that keeps discouraged hearts burning with hope…I hope the American people will not let material selfishness blind them to the crucial issues at stake.”
-Betty Watson, CBS correspondent
George Santayana and Yogi Berra had it right. "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it," and “It’s déjà vu all over again."
Here we go again, sixty some years later.
© 2006 Harris R. Sherline, All Rights Reserved
