The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-01-22


Wsylaying the President on the
way to his once, Buzzie said:
Grandpa, how's chances Of hav-
ing lunch with your You prom
Used you'd let me do that some
time, and I'm going home today.
"Okay, Buzzie," replied his
dOting grandfather, Its date.
I'll see you at lunch-and be
sure to wash your hands"
But when the President got to
his desk, General Watson, White
House appointment secretary, re-
minded him that he had lunch
con conference scheduled with
Myron Taylor, new envoy to the
Vatican, plus Secretary Hull and
Under Secretary Welles.
II guess that lets Buzzie out.
Too bad; he'll be disappointed"
remarked the President, and
asked Watson 70 explain the
situation to the boy.
Buxxie was broken hearted.
"But why can't I come any
way?" he pleaded, IT won't say
q word and won't give away
any secrets. Honest, cross my
heart"
"There isn't enough room ON
the Presidents desk for five
trays" ad Nbbed General Wat
SON.
ooh, that's easy" exclaimed
Buzzie, "I'll put mine on. the
floor and eat there. Just as we
do on . picnic"
The President was SO amused
when he heard this that he res
cinded his order, and Buzzie
squeezed in between his grand
father and Sumner Welles. ST.
lently he ate his lunch at the big
ofilcial table while the four
grownups discussed high matters
of state, presumably the pros
poets of peace in Europe and the
steps which Ambassador Taylor
would take to encourage them.
WAR PESSIMISM
The confidential war reports re-
ceived by government agencies
have not been too optimistic Of
late regarding the Allied posi-
tons.
This pessimism has nothing to
do with the sudden mobilization
of the Dutch and Belgians, which
had behind 1t only the fact that
the canals which constitute the
best defense against Germany
were frozen, and the lowland
countries suddenly realized how
easy 1t would be for the Nazis to
cross. (.-
Chief reason for pessimism Is
the very mediocre success Of the
British blockade, plus rumblings
OF new conversations between
Russia and Germany.
How far these new CONVERSE
tions have gone Is impossible to
say. But they revolve around the
Russian failure in Finland and
the fact that the Russian trans
portation system has broken down.
This gives the Germans an excel
lent excuse to become the tech
nical doctors Of the Soviet.
In fact, Foreign Minister Won
Ribbentrop, who has been under
q lot Of German army criticism
for negotiating the Russian pact
in the first place, now sees this
as a golden opportunity to re-
deem himself. He has proposed to
Stain that Germany take over
Russia's transportation and in
dustry, but only II she has COM
pletely free hand. and II 1t will
be q long term Job.
TWO DICTATORs
Whether Stain accepts is any
ones guess. But II he does, Rus
sia and Germany together will
constitute the most powerful re-
gion In the world, ruled by two
dictators, stretching from the
Rhine to the Pacific.
This potential alliance, plus
the begging down Of the British
naval blockade, Is behind the
change Of Allied tactics and the
Chamberlain threat that war
may soon become much grim.
mer. There Is even some talk In
Allied war councils Of . spring
attempt TO break through the
Siegfried Line.
This also Is behind the huge
new buying orders for airplanes
placed In this country. The whole
strategy Of the Allies now ID to
cut the war short, II possible with
smashing victories, rather than
continue the starvation tactics
which were originally planned.