Evening star., 1938-09-04
Fascist Armies Much Weaker
Than Those of Potential Foes
Allies Could Put 2,752,557 Men in Field Against
l,98l,2OO Germans and Italians and Are
Far Stronger in Reserves

164 900. From this force, however, it
would be necessary to subtract approx
mately $50 600 men--300 900 Of which Rus
sia must leave in the Far East as protec-
ton against an invasion by Japan, and,
roughly, 10000 British troops in various
parts of the empire which could not be
placed in the field Immediately. This would
leave a strength of about 1900 900 men.
"Allies' Strong in Reserves.
Thus the initial force of the two sides
would be evenly matched If Poland allied
itself with the Fascist bloc II it remained
neutral or sided with the allies the
latter would have an advantage Of several
hundred thousand men in the initial stages
OF war.
IT may be assumed that within a few
days after the declaration of war each
nation would start calling classes Of re-
serves. And in this secondary line of de-
fense, composed of men having had mill
tary training but not actually serving with
the colors at the outbreak Of war, the
"allies" would have a preponderant ad-
vantage
The allied" forces would have available
1890 897 reserves. composed as follows:
British Empire, 69S97: France. $500 900;
Czechoslovakia. LII 900, and Russia, TO-
100000. Some estimates of Russian re-
serves run as high as 100000 but this
is believed to include Sem-military or
CARNATIONS, whose members have not had
actual service in the Red Army)
Less than half this number Of reserves
would be available to the Fascist bloc, even
if Poland were its ally. In that contingency
it could call to the colors 8498 .658 trained
men. supplied as follows: Germany, 1865
900: Italy, 5.638 600. and Poland, ,492 65a.
On the sea the allied forces would be
vastly preponderant. Including vessels in
commission tboth under and over age) as
we'll as those building or appropriated for,
Great Britain and France could summon
a naval force of 585 vessels, as compared
with 389 for Germany and Italy. Japan.
possible ally of Germany and Italy, Is the
worlds third ranking naval power But It
is extremely doubtful that Toxic. with its
own position menaced by Russia and China,
would attempt to place a feet in European
waters 5000 miles from its base Of opera
tions.
Russian naval power save for coast de-
fense. is negligible.
Is is impossible to make an accurate COM
parison Of the air strength of the two alll-
ances. Both Russia and Germany treat
aviation as q military secret. Types and
speeds of planes are changing so constantly
that figures published one month become
inaccurate the next. Most authorities agree.
however. that the combined air strength Of
Russia France and Czechoslovakia on the
one side and that OF Germany and Italy on
the other would strike rough balance.
The Importance of gold In modern war
fare does not bulk as large as it once did.
Both Germany and Italy have boasted of
the skill of their chemists in manufacturing
"ersatz" or substitute materials of war, to
relieve them of dependence on imports. Yet
there are certain essentials-cotton and oil,
for instance-which warning nations must
have. And their ability to buy them, lacking
foreign exchange from exports or credits,
depends on their gold reserve.
Hence it is interesting to note that the
allies" have behind them gold reserve of
almost 30 times the value of that of their
potential enemies According to the latest
available statistics Great Britain, France
and Russia hold gold valued at s64lS.-
900 900. as compared with s235, 100000 for
Germany and Italy.
The value of sheer population in modern
warfare is open to question. While large
nation has a greater reserve of man-pover
than a small one, it also has more mouths
to feed Small. efficient nations such as
Japan have been victorious over loosely-knit
enemies like Russia and China. But the
advantage Of man. n-power for whatever It
may be worth, is certainly on the "allied"
side with excluding Britan's overseas
empire) 267 100000 citizens as compared
with the Fascist bloc's 108,000000
Thus, by every important military yard
stick that can be applied, the status quo"
powers of Europe appear to be superior
to the revisionist states in their ability to
fight a long-term war. Yet it is they.
paradoxicaly enough, who are moving
Heaven and earth to keep the peace. They
lack at present the will to war" But
the lesson of 1914-18 proved that that,
under the stimulus of danger, is quickly
developed.