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Show My Week By Eleanor floosevet f WNU Service f WAR GUILT There is a column by Mr. Peeler which I think is particularly fine He points out that the search for an in! dividual or a group of people, on whom to pin possible war guilt is really futile. Adolf Hitler has told us. that he planned for this war and that he has thought out each move with care before making it. Mr. Pegler tells us that even it we are drawn into the war. it will not be our doing, but the prearranged pre-arranged plan of Mr. Hitler. He expresses it, of course, much better than I can, but the thought seemed to me to be one that it is wise to bring home to all of us, because what happens during the next years does not lie entirely in our own hands. Our statesmen, our congress and our people may strive In the sanest and most temperate way, to meet each situation as it arises. But we are dealing with people who lay their plans far ahead and we will have to try to be as far-sighted as they are. For the time being, I think that far-sightedness lies in stepping up our production, In aiding those who belleve in the things, in which we believe and, at the same time, in preparing eurselves in every possible possi-ble way for future defense. Part of this defense, it seems to me, is a mental defense, and is as important for the women and children as the men. It lies in building within us a kind of courage which is ready to meet whatever comes and which Is willing to prepare to do so. SUNNY DAYS' At Golden Beach, Fla., our days continued bright and sunny and so glorious at night that it seemed a pity not to be 18 again and subject to its influence. We had some showers, but they were over quickly and everything seemed to be greener green-er afterwards. One afternoon Ignace Paderewskl drove down from Palm Beach to call on me. He had gone mere to attend a concert and evidently had enjoyed his evening. It was very kind of him to come to see me, but I felt rather guilty that he should take so much trouble. The last two years have not been happy ones for him, with the storm clouds gathering everywhere and the danger coming closer to his beloved be-loved Poland. I think when you have given as much of yourself as he has to his country, it must be bitter indeed to see all your world thrown away and apparently lost because of the cruel ambitions of one man. I do not suppose, however, that any reauy gooa worK is ever lost Somewhere the seed remains and the influence is felt in the future. But for a time at least, all that Paderewskl has done as a statesman states-man must seem to him wiped out. One feels that these years have sapped his strength, but his eyes are as keen as ever and they look at you with an expression which is indicative of the same courage we have grown to expect from this gentleman. We were interested too, in his young secretary, who told us a good deal about his travels in South America. I was happy to have this opportunity of seeing once again a very great man and shall take his message to the President when I return to Washington. GIRL SCOUTS The Girl Scouts have now celebrated cele-brated their twenty-ninth birthday. All over this country, groups of Girl Scouts are preparing through their various programs to meet the emergencies of the future. The points which they emphasize in their training, are all points which make for better citizens in any community. commu-nity. Through their camps, they teach the building of health and the value of outdoor life. They develop habits hab-its of self-reliance and resourcefulness resourceful-ness which are a safeguard in their everyday lives. They learn the value of conservation for the country and for the individual at home. Recreation is emphasized as a part of healthy, normal living and, above everything else, they feel they are a necessary part of any community com-munity in which they live, because they give service. They have already al-ready offered many hours of work to the nation in the defense program and probably have learned the first and most important lesson, that defense de-fense begins at home. Theube"er you make your community, the better bet-ter the defense of the nation will be. Their contribution to Pan-American friendship through the encampment encamp-ment held last summer, where 13 countries of the Western hemisphere were represented, was really a significant sig-nificant achievement. WM. SHIEER IN BERLIN The other day I read in the March Atlantic Monthly the war d.ary ol William M. Shirer, entitled: With the German Armies." You have doubtless heard him many a morning morn-ing reporting by radio from Berlin. As he enters Paris, he remarks -I have a feeling that what we are seeing here in Paris is the complete breakdown of French society. Collapse of the army, of the govern-ment. govern-ment. of the morale of the people. i. almost too tremendous to believe." |