The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-12-06
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q. s. COULD TIP BALANCE

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desk all indicate that the war has
reached the most crucial point In Its
variegated history, and that adroit,
even strong-arm diplomacy by the
United States might tip the balance
to a British victory.
How this may be done Is now the
most vital question before the White
House and state department.
One possibility was to woo Rus
sia, keep her out Of the Axis. This
was the chief reason for the Ou-
mansky-Sumner Welles CONVERSE
lions. They have partially failed,
due to the fact that all the United
States can offer Russia is machine
tools and gasoline, while Adolf Hit
Ter can make an offer OF India,
Persia, Afghanistan.
Another possibility was to stiffen
U. S. policy against Japan, perhaps
by sending ships to Singapore, thus
taking over the British burden Of po-
Icing the South Pacific. This would
have devastating repercussions upon
the Axis, but Roosevelt considers 1t
risky, so it is being held in abey-
ance.
Third possibility, and the one ac-
lively under discussion inside the
state department now, is to bolster
the French forces in North Africa,
help bring them in on the side Of
the British.
This has tremendous possibilities.
For at present General GRAHAM is
begged down in Egypt, where Mus
solini has been sending him per-
emptory orders to advance on Suez,
to which Graziani has replied that he
will not advance until he has suff1-
cient supplies. So should Graziani
be attacked by the French from the
Tunis side, and by the British from
the Egyptian side, it would mean
certain defeat and probably the end
Of Mussolini.
Furthermore, it would probably
take Italy out Of the war.
This is the main effort to which
American diplomacy is now direct
ed. First step was plan to send
General Pershing, old friend of Mar
shall Petain, as special ambassador
to France. To this end, the 80-year-
old general underwent a thorough
physical examination at Walter
Reed hospital. But although anx-
ious to undertake the mission, his
doctors forbade it. Unless he ig-
nores the orders of the physicians,
which is not likely, the Pershing
mission is out.
However, the chief problem is to
influence not merely Petain, who
already has veered away, from the
Axis, but also Marshal Weygand.
The latter is now in North Africa,
and the French troops in that area
would rise to his leadership over
night In any attack upon italian
Libya.
u. 8. SHIPS TO DAKAR
Another plan which has been con-
sidered in army and navy circles is
for the United States to take cog
nizance of the part which Dakar
might play in any attack upon South
America.
/ The Germans are now developing
Dakar as a giant air base under
the protection Of the French fleet.
This is of vital concern to the United
States, Brazil, Argentina and the
rest of South America. Therefore,
it has been suggested that the Unit
ed States instigate joint Pan-Ameri-
can representations, followed per-
haps by naval display off Dakar,
in order to persuade the French fleet
to divorce itself from Germany and
neutralize Dakar.
This plan does not get much en-
couragement from the White House
and state department, where it is
considered risky.
NEW CROP CURTAILMENT
Beginning December l, the AAA
inaugurated the Alabama PLAN"
which marks sharp turning in the
policy Of crop control It is aimed
to remedy what has long been loose
" described as paying farmers for
not growing something"
Henry Wallace and the AAA never
acknowledged that their program
was as negative as that, but the new
program sets out to eliminate all
doubt.
Heretofore a farmer could earn
benefit payments merely by aban-
doning certain acreage-that is,
by reducing the number of acres Of
his major crop. But under the Ala
bama plan, he is required also to
carry out certain soil building prac-
tees, such as terracing, planting
erosion-resisting crops, and setting
aside an acre of permanent pasture.
The plan, first adopted in Ala
bama, puts farmers on their met
tie. If they fail to perform, the
benefit payments are withheld. In
other words, the objective is shift
ed, from acreage reduction to inn,
provement Of the soil Of American
farms.
1880 -
MERRY-GO-ROUND
The surplus marketing admins