Evening star., 1941-06-08
Transit Problem to Cut Down
On Oil for Civilian Use in East
Rationing Will Be Forced by Lack of
Tankers to Haul 1t
By OIiver Mckee.

At the present time it is impossible to
forecast, with any degree of accuracy, the
oil requirements of the armed forces.
Their demand will depend on the future
magnitude of our war effort, its duration,
and the needs of British Empire coun-
tries. Australia, for example, whose
armies are fighting so gallantly in the
Near East, has practically no oil re-
sources
Since the World War the military and
naval use of petroleum products has
increased enormously. Unless assigned
to a baggage detail, or supply train, or
unless detailed as a chauffeur to a gen.
eral officer. comparatively few veterans
of the American Expeditionary Force
had chance to 60 places in an Army
motor car.
The American Army of today is a
mechanical and motorized Army BY
late summer or early fall it will have
100000 motor vehicles. as compared with
$4,000 early in 1910 The Navy, growing
stronger every month, consumes vast
quantities of oil, and so do our rapidly
expanding air fleets Industry, too, now
hitting a new high both in employment
and in output, also requires more fuel
oil than ever before It is essential,
therefore that the Government make
certain that defense agencies wherever
located, have at all times an ample
supply Of fuel and gasoline. and as CO.
ordinator this will be Mr. Ickes' No.
Job Restriction of civilian consumption
will be effected. he says, through volun-
tary cooperation by patriotic citizens,
rather than by compulsion.
Japan Purchases.
In Congress, and outside. the con-
tinued flow of American petroleum prod
ucts to Japan has been the subject
Of widespread comment, much of it
critical. Japan consumes more petro-
leum than any other country in the
Far East Her domestic resources are
very small, and Japan is dependent on
imports for 80 per cent or more of her
total requirements. The United States
and the Netherlands Indies are the
two largest suppliers. The 'undeclared'
war against China has greatly increased
the consumption of oil by the army.
navy and the air forces AS in Europe.
drastic restrictions have been placed
on the use of gasoline and oil b.
civilians.
During the first quarter of l94l, ship
| ments of petroleum and petroleum prod
ucts to Japan were valued al s11,713 900.
as compared with S1025300 for the
same period last year. Department of
Commerce statistics reveal the shipment
of 1,O97 900 barrels of gasoline to Japan
during these three months-as against
only $4,000 during the first three
months of 1940-an increase Of more
than 300 per cent.
Though the administration could stop
this flow of oil across the Pacific to
Japan, it so far has failed to do so.
One reason is the belief of many high
officials that stoppage, by Govern
ment action. would immensely strength
en- the hands of Japanese militarists
who are urging the immediate seizure
of the Dutch East Indies. AS long as
she is permitted to obtain a substantial
| amount of oil from this country, Japan,
it is argued, will be less likely to move
against the Netherlands Indies Oil
exports to Japan thus involve broad
questions of foreign policy.
Gasoline taxes. and taxes on the oil,
motor and rubber industries admit
tedly are large revenue producers, for
both the Federal and State Governments.
and a drastic reduction in the use of
gasoline. therefore, would mean a dirni-
mutton in Government revenues.
Because of the greater demands of
mechanical warfare, oil will necessarily
play a more important part in national
economy than it did during the first
World War With our vast resources,
and the chronological skill and un-
matched equipment of our industry, the
United States. so far as petroleum is
concerned, enjoys stronger strategical
position than any other country. Prop
erly conserved and utilized to the best
advantage, American oil should prove
powerful weapon in the battle against
Axis aggression.