The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-23


 How this may be done is now the most vital question before the White House and State Depart ment.
 To understand the role which the United States may or may not play in tipping this balance, one must look back on the history of the war.
 The attempt to invade England last September stands out like the Battle of the Marne, when in 1914 the Germans came within a few miles of taking Paris. Had they penetrated fifteen miles fur ther the outcome of the World War would have been different.
 But from that moment on, the World War settled down to long drawn-out siege, in which the sticking powers of the German people were pitted against the im- mense resources of the Allies, and during which the German war ma- chine lost its immediate advan- tage of advance preparation.
 Twenty-six years later-in September, 194O, - the Battle of Britain seems to have been almost identical. At one time the Germans actually had barges loaded with men headed fer British ports. But the alert ness of the Royal Air Force, plus
 bad weather, drove them back.
 The entire force of Hitler's mighty military machine, after years of painstaking preparation, was poised for this attack Now that the attack has failed, Hitler has had to settle down to a wait ing, harassing policy.
 Such policy easily can be dis astrous. For the key to Hitler's political success has been his con- stant uncorking of victories for the German people. Austria, Czechoslovakia, Norway, Denmark Holland, Belgium and France all have been held up as the glori- ous reward for terrific sacrifice and suffering.
 HITLER'S WORRY
 
 For five months now there have been no new conquests, no new triumpl1s to celebrate. Instead Brit ish airplanes have dumped almost nightly death over Berlin, Ham, burg and the Ruhr. These, plus their own straitened economic cir cumstances. are the chief things the German people have had to think about. On top of them have come two other important develop ments.
 ONE was the reelection of Roosevelt, whom Nazi propagan- dists have played up as the great enemy of the dictators. This propaganda has now had reverse effects, and the German people, remembering how the United States turned the tide in the last war, cannot help but speculate ruefully regarding the prospect of the USA coming into this war.
 TWO has been the unexpected Italian setback in Greece. Prob ably not much of this has per- colated through the censor to the German people, but it has to Italy. Unrest is spreading underground among the Italian people, plus growing resentment against both Hitter and Mussolini.
 AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC AIMS
 All of these factors have been put under the State Department microscope to see what the United States could do--short of war-to bring greater pessimism to the German and Italian people, give greater strength to Great Britain.
 ONE possibility was to WOO Rus sia, keep her out of the Axis. This was the chief reason for the Oumansky-Sumner Welles conver- sations. They have partially failed, due to the fact that all the United States can offer Rus sia is machine tools and gaso- line, while Hitler can offer India, Persia, Afghanistan.
 SECOND possibility was to stif- fen U. s. policy against Japan, perhaps by sending ships to Sing apore, thus taking over the Brit ish burden Of policing the South Pacific. This would be cevastat- ing repercussions upon the Axis, but Roosevelt considers 1t risky so it is being held In abeyance.
 THIRD possibility, and the one actively 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 posslblll-