Steamboat Pilot & Today

December 1937

Dear Friends Halden,

You asked what makes me think the United States might be in danger of getting involved in a war: Yes, the League of Nations was organized after the close of "the great war" as a means of settling disputes between countries in a peaceable manner. Every major power in the world with the exception of the United States joined the League of Nations.

The U.S. felt that "isolationism" would keep our country from getting involved in any international dispute and that the League of Nations would keep peace among the member nations.

In its very first test, however, the League of Nations (as a means of keeping the peace) failed completely. In 1931, Japan initiated military action against Manchuria, citing as an excuse a small bomb having damaged the Japanese controlled South Manchuria Railroad. The bomb had likely been planted by the Japanese themselves to create an excuse. When reprimanded for their action, by the League of Nations, Japan merely resigned from the League and intensified military action against Manchuria. Japan quickly overran Manchuria, made it a puppet state that they called Manchukua and commenced using it as a base for expansion into China.

Meanwhile, Adolph Hitler in 1933 had assumed dictatorship of Germany and in violation of provisions of international treaties began rearmament of Germany and in 1935 reinstalled compulsory military service. Benito Mussolini, dictator of Italy, had long contemplated taking over Ethiopia. Now (emboldened by the success of Germany and Japan in defiance of the League of Nations, and encouraged by promise of assistance from Hitler) Mussolini deemed the time ripe to make his move. Total occupation of Ethiopia took but a few short days. Meanwhile, Hitler was busy inventing any number of excuses for initiating aggressive military action against any country in the eastern hemisphere. Germany persists in a constant chain of demands and accusations, hurling insult after insult by violating the provisions of every treaty she has agreed to.

Yes, I believe Hitler intends to seize control of all parts of Europe, and most likely a good part of Asia and Africa. Fred and I see Hitler as a power-hungry madman who will stop at nothing.

And, if Hitler is successful in conquering all of Europe, what is to stop him from trying to take the USA as well? Particularly when Hitler is allied with Japan this alliance is already engaged in a full-scale invasion of China, with the U.S. giving support to China. I think that I have told you about our old friend and neighbor, Emil Barth, who recently returned from making a trip which had taken him several years (stopping to work for a few months or even years, whenever he liked) clear around the world.

Emil had spent considerable time in Germany under the Hitler regime. He was really impressed with the country's prosperity. He said there was no unemployment, and everyone was loaded with money and was living "high on the hog." What Emil didn't seem to realize was that Hitler was printing tons of currency with no collateral and was using this useless money to rearm Germany in preparation for war. What a horrible price to pay for prosperity! I'm much afraid the hammer with fall before you receive this letter. Where Hitler will strike first is anyone's guess.

Will close for now, with much love and constant prayers.

Anna