Background For War: War Now? Or When? Or Never?

When a man knows he has a good chance to be A-bombed, nothing can stop him from wondering whether there isn't something he can do to prevent it. That is why talk of "preventive war" by the U.S. against the U.S.S.R. stays on the tongues of the American people, even after President Truman has effectively, and prudently, muffled official discussion of this and kindred subjects.

The statement of Secretary of the Navy Matthews that the U.S. should consider "instituting ... a war of aggression for peace" clings to the consciousness even of those who reject the idea with horror.

Even harder to forget...

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