The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-03-01

British mine sweeper matches for
netic mine sown by the Germans
proved very destructive for the first
few weeks in which it was used.
Then more effective mine-sweeping
methods and the establishment Of
narrow ship-c channels which were
carefully patrolled reduced the sue
cesses of Germany's mine-laying
airplanes.
British Also Unsuccessful.
On the other hand, the British
have been no more successful in
their raids against the German
navy. Both German and British
submarines have destroyed an oc-
casional warship, but these forays
have been costly to the submarines
attempting them. The British and
French claim to have sunk between
40 and so German submarines since
the beginning of the war. The Ger
mans admit the loss of less than
half this number. Yet whenever a
submarine is lost, the entire crew
is lost with it, and it takes five
years to train men to handle SUBJ
marine under war conditions.
Talk about the Germans building
one submarine a day is nothing
more than talk. 1t is more likely
that the Germans are completing
anywhere from six to ten U-boats
month, which is just about the rate
at which they are being destroyed.
Already Planning for Peace.
There is, then, nothing decisive in
action at sea or in the air. Defense
is stronger than attack. But what
about the economic front? That is
probably the most important front
of all and the one that will be domi-
nant long after the war has ended.
Already Secretary of State Hull is
negotiating with the neutral powers
to work out a plan of economic re-
construction. The plan must be
ready for instant application on the
day of the armistice if Europe is
not to sink in to chaos when the
fighting ends.
Every country in Europe, neutral
and belligerent alike, has mort
gagged it's future. Only if the New
world remains out of the war and
stands ready to lend its resources
for European reconstruction is there
any hope Of true peace. Europe was
ready for revolution before the war
came and will be much more ready
for it when the war is done.
What After Collapse?
France and Britain count on eco
nomic pressure to bring about the
collapse of Germany, but one won
ders whether they have asked them
selves, what then? Will they march
into Germany at the head Of a VIC
torious army, establish new Kaiser
and new Junker government? Or
will they stand aside while Germa-
ny's underground Communist move
ment re-asserts itself and calls out
for assistance to the Red brethren
in Moscow? 1&
There is the third possibility of or
ganizing those liberal forces that
have either been driven out of Ger
many or driven under cover within
Germany, and helping them to re-
establish constitutional government
by granting them generous peace.
That would be the hardest task.
Rumania Under Pressure.
Meanwhile, there is more pressure
behind the economic than behind
the military war. Members of the
Rumanian government are being
bribed, bulldozed, fiattered and ca
joled by both sides. Both are seek
ing to purchase Rumania's oil and
Rumania's grain. Each wants it so
that the other cannot have it. The
French and British offer gold, the
Germans threaten war. So far,
King Carol has kept precarious
balance; Britain and France con-
tinue to guarantee his frontiers and
King Carol remembers the Blitz-
krieg against Poland. Poland had
been given the same guarantees.
On the diplomatic front, the AL.
lied powers won their greatest vic
tory in winning Turkey to their
cause. This gives them control Of
the Dardanelles and the Black Sea,
in case Of war with Russia. It also
assures France and Britain com
plete dominance Of the Mediterrane.
an thereby discouraging Italy from
siding with, Germany.
(Hsieased by Western Newspaper unionl