The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1941-07-04
FEAT U 4 ES


the wanton breakage Of another treaty
Russia has in abundance what Hitler
most sorely lacks-grain, to feed the
German people; oil, to propel the Ger
man war machine And, on top Of that,
if Russia could be destroyed as d military
power, Hitler would no longer have to
fear attack from the East. He could
then concentrate all of his weapons for
the final assault on the British Isles.
It is clear to anyone that Hitler has
taken gigantic gamble. Russia, as Ma
poleon found out, has been the grave
yard of empire before 1t is a vast land.
and much of it is geographically and eli
matically unfriendly. In the Little Cor
poraIs phrase, Empires die Of indiges-
ton And Russia is the biggest bite
than any conqueror could attempt Hit
Ter certainly must have felt there was
no other solution to his problems before
deciding to give the marching order to
his .legions along the 1,50O-mile front
that extends from Narvik to the Carpa-
thians
From the military point Of view, you
can find about any opinion OH the quail
ity Of the Russian army you want. kus-s
sia gives out few figures concerning thel
Red army However, it is generally be-2
lieved that at least 100000 men haveE
fully mobilzed, her regular army, pust
been given military training and that,
reserves, would total 5,00O,0 600 or more
planes, though there is doubt as to their
Estimates place her air force at 5000
quality It is known that she has gigan-
tic quantities of tanks, motorized artil
lery and other mechanical arms, but
again. many think them poor Of quality
by comparison with the Nazis' tools Of
destruction OF all the nations, Russia
and this country are the nearest to being
self sustaining so far as resources are
concerned However, Russian industry
has been notoriously inefficient, and SO
she cannot make the most Of what she
possesses.
Even so, she is tremendous antag
onist for any power. And it is known
that during the last year Stain has been
working feverishly to overhaul his fore
es. The Notwithstanding political COM
nissars who were stationed with army
rule commanding officers, have been
units and who had the power to over
largely abolished In truth, the Russian
army has been reorganized much on the
lines Of capitalist armies.
The poor Soviet transportation sys-
tenn may delay full mobilization for a
month or more. But as time wears on,
and if Hitler is not able to defeat Rus
sia in a hurry, the Germans should find
this campaign the most difficult they
have attempted.
Mr.. Churchill's finely -phrased speech
of June % was of exceptional interest.
No statesman has been more anti~corn-
has fought the Soviet idea
for 25 years He said he would take
nothing back that he has said before.
But, he said, the one aim Of British pol
icy now is the complete destruction OF
Naziism. Therefore, he added England
regards Russia as an ally, and will give
her all possible aid
That is likely to be the attitude OF
our government, though it may not be
expressed so frankly. Washington
doesn't trust Moscow, and high officials
have said lately that defense strikes
were communist-inspired. However
Roosevelts policy, like Mr.. Churchills
IS the overthrow of Hitlerism In that
andeavor, any ally is welcomed, especi-
ally so powerful a one as Russia.
If Hitler subdues Russia, he will have
ali he needs-the blockade will no long
n be important, and he will have taken
/ long step toward mastery Of Asia as
we'll as Europe. If Hitler loses in Rus
ia. he will be finished. The fate Of
much of the world may be decided il
he wheat fields Of the Ukraine, and the
Ill lands of the Carpathians.
.---.,--s--n-- f. tooed woman TO the spea shell