“Be Ready”
Don’t let coffee and gas
rationing divert your mind from the grim fact that we are at war.
These things are but bouncing
corks on the deep, dangerous waters of war.
We are living near the shore of
the Pacific Ocean which is one of the principal theatres of this global
conflict. We are fighting a cruel, crafty and courageous foe. It is only a
matter of time until the Japs will attempt to invade California. That attempt
might be made at Topanga Beach.
Why do you think thousands of
Japanese army and navy reservists lived and worked in California? Because they
liked our climate? Because they loved us?
Climate means nothing to them and
they hate us. They want California and the United States. It is as simple as
that. The Japs have been planning for years to take our Country by force.
That’s why these spies lived among us. They were learning how and where to
invade the United States.
The Japs know, as does anybody,
that to win a war you, must conquer your enemy. The only way you can conquer your enemy is to invade his country.
Next Monday, the 7th of December,
is the first anniversary of the Japs’ first attempt to invade the United
States. Soon or late they will attempt it again, and again, and again. They may
strike anytime. They may come before the ink on this warning is dry. They may
come tomorrow, or next week, or next month. But they will come.
When they do, you will wonder why
you ever wasted a thought on coffee and gas rationing. You will be unable to
understand why you didn’t work harder in Civilian Defense preparedness.
You will be ashamed that you
allowed petty fault-finding to detract your mind from doing your duty, yes more
than your duty.
Do you think an extra gallon of
gasoline now is going to help you if you were to open your door to find a
bayonet pointed at your vitals?
Are you prepared mentally and
physically to kill or be killed?
Can we learn the lesson of
preparedness from the tragedy of Pearl Harbor?
Are you ready?
