Evening star., 1941-11-02

liquidate the Japanese without impair
ing activity OF the Atlantic fleet. That
fleet has definite task: To convoy
ships carrying war material and food to
Britain and Russia. To do this 1t must
be on the watch for submarines and
surface raiders.
Watchful Waiting for Japan.
Admiral Ernest j. Kings force is en-
gagged in difficult task Fortunately,
our navy yards are turning out de-
stroyers and submarine chasers at
greater speed than was anticipated a
year ago, Thus, even if losses in TIE
Atlantic feet turn out 10 be greater
than anticipated. Admiral King can
count on quick requirements. But since
the Engllsh-Who are playing first
fiddle in the present American -Russian-
British concert-insist that diffusion
Of forces would be fatal to the outcome
of the war, there is nothing else TO do
but adopt a policy of watchful waiting
toward Japan-painful as such a course
may be. 1t is possible that things may
change within the next few weeks.
Washington is inclined to leave the next
move up to the japanese. What is evil
IDENTIFY worrying the British government
is a German drive toward the Mosul oil
felds-expected during the course of the
winter. Britain would prefer not to face
Hitler's legions a time when we might
be engaged in conflict in the Pacific
However optimistically we may wish
to look at the Russian situation, there
is 10 question that the offensive power
of the Soviet armies has been broker
to say the least. Even if We could rush
all the needed supplies at once it
wouldn't be until some time next sum-
mer that We could hope for a Russian
offensive. In the meantime Hitler is
expected to leave at least 100 divisions
of mixed troops on whatever line he
may have to defend and rush the bal
ance of his might to the Middle East.
There is no question in the minds Of
military observers that, unless Germany
can obtain oil. all her efforts-including
those of the last two years-are Likely
70 prove futile.
Britain and the United States know
that the Nazis won't be skimpish when
they start a move in the Middle East.
Hitler will have to throw at least 1000
900 fully-equipped men into the battle.
! There is no way of telling whether he
| will attempt to reach Iraq by way Of
Turkey or through Syria or by SOM
other route. But that he will try to &C.
there is beyond any doubt.
Britain Making Ready.
The British have been preparing
| the shock since last summer. Inpoy
ant conveys of troops and war material
have been sent to Egypt, Syria and
Iraq through the Mediterranean and tie
| Indian Ocean. Large dumps of ammu-
milton have been organized Throughout
the area and they have taken full ad-
vantage of the lull on that front to Or
ganize strong defensive positions. The
strength of the British forces in Egypt
and the Middle East is a military Sc
cret which only handful OF Americans
know. The general belief is that it is
a strong and homogeneous army. but
not large enough TO be sure Of victory
against the invading Nazis.
The British Army's most serious prob
lem is the replacement of war material
and the filling in of inevitable gaps in
the fighting divisions. The Nazi problem
is easier, since the Germans have lines
of communication close by in the Bal
kans. The British must bring every
| thing from England and the United
States-a long stretch of water exposed
to enemy submarines and aircraft.
1t is probably this situation that Prime
Minister Churchill had in mind when he
attempted to dissuade Washington from
embarking on the venture in the Pacific.
The time may come, he is said to be-
lieve, when Britain may have to appeal
to our fleet in the Pacific for help in
conveying reinforcements to the armies
fighting in the Middle East and in AT.
rica 1t may be that he will be COM
PEELED to appeal to the United States
for some fighting units as well. And if
this country were involved In shoot
ing war in the Pacific, We might find it
difficult to comply with the British re-
quests if we had war with Japan on
our hands.