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Show AVOID WAR HYSTERIA According to history books, if one searches for detail, when the Spanish-American War broke out, every seaport on the Atlantic coast thought the Spanish Span-ish fleet was just about to bombard it, and called for naval protection. Events showed the Spanish fleet hopelessly outclassed by the American warships. In the First World War the submarine gave many people the jitters. Many German U-boats were sighted off the American coast, and while some actually came and sank some ships, there were not nearly as many as there were rumors and fears from time to time. Getting excited didn't help matters in the slightest. The airplane will probably be the main subject of false alarms in this Second World War. Bombers will be reported and awaited in many places needlessly need-lessly and without accurate basis. Not every plane flying fly-ing in the sky is an "unidentified plane, probably hostile" hos-tile" on its way to bomb some American city. While it is wise to be on the alert, to adopt every protective measure, we should seek to avoid war hysteria. We should not accept every rumored event which we read or hear about. Wait in confidence until the government makes its of f icial announcement as to what has actually .happened. 1 v f ; f , j ! A democratic government does' hot hide facts from its people. Witness the example of Prime Minister Minis-ter Churchill, who has repeatedly and promptly advised ad-vised his people of military or naval disasters. President Presi-dent Roosevelt has promised that the same policy will be followed, and news given out provided only it will not help the enemy. That's fair and desirable. Everybody can help in this great struggle. Avoiding hysteria is only one way. Working hard at each accepted job is another. Buying Defense Bonds is another. Contributing to the Red Cross appeal is still another. Keep busy. Keep your faith. Help win the war! |