The daily monitor. (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1940-1942, 1941-04-03
THE WAR OF SHIPPING

THE WAR OF SHIPPING
The report thot German worships
-reputedly the super-tost, 2o,OOO-ton
new bottIeships Schornhorst and 0nei-
senou-ore operating within 500
miles Of New York, should not come as
q surprise. One of HitIer's great mill
tory virtues is thorouehness. He. like
everyone else in the world in touch with
offoirs, knew long oeo that the lend
lease bill would poss. 1t was only the
port of wisdom for the German Admir-
oIty to have it's roiders ready and volt
ing for the merchantmen to stort the
long voyage across the Atlantic with
the miIitoY supplies we ore transfer.
rinq now to Britoin. Hitler has sold
that the great bulk Of our shipments
will be destroyed, and he is now un-
questionobIy trying to make that boast
GOOD. And if the German cIoim thot
$4,000 tons Of British shipping we're
sunk within q recent 48-hour period is
true, Hitler is making ominous pro-
gress.
As Walter Lippmon hos sold, THE
problem Of the axis power is how to de-
feot the United Stotes now thot the de-
cision has been taken to support the
peoples who resist aggression. The
Nozis' plan, Mr.. lippnon continued.
probably hos three phoses First, and
most obvious phase is to intensity the
blockade Of the British Isles. to sink the
supply ships, to bomb the docks and
shipyords and then to attempt invos-
ion. Second phase is to immob|ize the
bulk Of our navy by inducing Japan to
keep on creating "incidents" in the
Pacific. Third phase is to create "olorm
and diversions" in this hemisphere in
order to DISTRICT our attention from
Europe and present us with some tough
problems near home.
1t is no secret that Germon agents,
undereover as we'll as diplomatic, are
working overtime in the principal Eotin
American republics, and that we are
now going to work to combot their &C.
tivities in various ways. Some experts
firmly believe that as our od-to-Bri-
tain reaches considerable proportions.
German oeents with this country will
launch q greet and widespread solo,
toae campaign against our war mater
ioI factories, primarily the oirplone
plants. The bulk Of neutral military
authorities ore convinced thot Ger
many cannot win this war unless she is
able to keep us from adequately sup
plying Britoin with the instruments OF
offense and defense she so sorely needs.
1t is too early yet to tell what Sue
cess Britain may expect in getting her
ships through. At the moment, it is
probable that British shipping losses
have been just about equoIized by re-
placements and seizures. But the
sources of requirements ore growing
fewer This country is starting q big
ship-buiIding program, but it will be q
long time before vessels in opPrecioble
quantity ore sliding down the ways
This spring may supply the answer
to the shipping question. 1t is known
that Germany has been building dozens
Of small submarines of the 2OO-ton
class for operation in British waters.
The German naval men ore placing
much Of their faith in these little un-
derwoter croft. Britoin's shortage Of
destroyers-the only surface ships
which have so far been really effective
in fighting subs-mokes the problem
doubIy difficult for her.
Hitler apparently believes thot the
u. S, Navy, if necessary, will be willing
to convoy ships obrood, and many on
observer here agrees. Thot is where
Japan comes in. So long as she makes
periodic threats in the Southwestern
Pacific, our naval strength must be
concentrated in those waters. II is be-
Iieved that If Japan actually makes an
attack on Singapore or Honekone or
French Indo China or the Dutch Eost
Indies wa will resist with force In thot