VICTORY and the Problems of Peace 
Dear Floral Friends: 
For the benefit of our new customers, I will explain that I strive to cultivate 
friendship with all who love flowers. I receive so very many more friendly letters 
each year than is possible for me to answer, that I write a letter in each catalog. The 
letter is personal, and to you. 
In the eight months intervening since I wrote my last letter, events have brought 
victory apparently near. In the Pacific, Guam is again ours and we are within striking 
distance of the Philippines and Japan. In Europe, 
D day came at last and our Armies are close to 
Paris. They may be in Paris when you read this. 
Probably many of us feel that we should have 
done more in the way of sending munitions and 
supplies to China, even if our only means were by 
air transport. China has the army to use them. 
China thinks we should have sent more. They 
have complained and Russia complained bitterly 
because we delayed so long in invading France. 
But the long preparation was fully justified by the 
successful outcome and our rapid advance along the 
invasion coast. 
Our Allies forget apparently that while they 
are fighting only within their home land, we are 
fighting all over the world. Our goods and our 
army required transportation. When we entered 
the war, we did not have the ships, our factories 
had to be converted to the production of war 
materials and very greatly expanded, and worst of 
all our army and navy were entirely inadequate in 
size as well as untrained in present day warfare. 
We could not deprive our invasion troops of 
one single gun or round of ammunition, believing 
that the Army’s strategy of knocking out Hitler 
first, was right. In so doing, we were hastening 
the day when we could employ our entire strength 
in helping China. 
ate PE Ea We shall win the war. Shall we win the 
Peace? Already our enemies are planning for the next war. To avoid that the average 
idea at present seems to be to exterminate them. Wholly apart from the revolting and 
shocking nature of such a plan, very few seem to realize how impossible, mechanically 
and physically, it would be. Nor do those who hope that we continue to slaughter one 
moment beyond the time necessary to attain victory, consider the effect on our boys of 
an orgy of blood. We can well ask with Sheldon, “What would Jesus do?” The war 
and the battles will leave their scars on our boys anyway. Let them be as light as 
possible. ie 
Nor will a scourge of this kind promote future peace. We Americans say we 
have been too easy. All right, admit we have been easy and imposed on. We have 
also kept out of war, been more peaceful than any other nation on earth, and have 
prospered the most. Suppose we be a little generous, as President Wilson was in his 
14 points. 
What about Asia? I believe Imperialism is on its way out. If the white man 
insists on carrying his “burden’’ (for the sake of commerce) the Yellow Peril may 
become real. It would be wiser to encourage the development of Asia than to continue 
to exploit it. China is now our friend. India could easily be won to friendship for the 
white man. Which is better for the White Man, friendship and commerce with races 
Z 

