The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-05-22

Happenings That Affect the Dinner
Pals, Dividend Checks and TAI
Bills of Every Individual. National
and International Problems Insep.
arabic from Local Welfare.
History shows that the decisive
factor in all great wars invariably has
been sea power" wrote Rear Admiral
Clark H. Woodward, U. S. NJ, recent
ly. Think back over the major con-
flicts of history and you'll realize the
truth of that. When brakes fleet de-
stroyed the Spanish Armada, he
eliminated one of the greatest threats
to English security and safety. When
Nelson broke the back of French sea
power at Trafalgar, he assured Ma
poleon's ultimate defeat. Japan, un-
der the brilliant Admiral Togo, made
herself world power to be reckoned
with when her fleet routed the Rus
sian navy at Port Arthur. And in
World War No. /, it was the British
fleet, under Jellicoe, which forced the
German navy to bottle itself up in
port after the battle of Jutland, and
so made it possible to tighten the
blockade which proved to be one of
the decisive factors in that sanguin-
ary conflict.
Sea power has always made world
history-and it is for that reason that
a number of military authorities tend
to the belief that Germany's great
successes on land, important as they
are, cannot win the war for her no
matter how far they may be carried.
Germany's air power is today the best
in Europe, and it will be at least a
year before British American produc-
tion can really rival hers. Her armies
are supreme, in size, in equipment,
and in generalship. But Germany
has no fleet in any way comparable to
Britain's. The submarine is danger
Gus weapon, but it is extremely limit
ed, and it has been proven time and
again that sufficient surface power is
superior to undersea power. Italy had
a large fleet at the start of this war,
but it proved sadly deficient in fight
ing quality, and large part Of it
has been destroyed. German ship
yards have been working overtime
but it seems certain that their pro-
duction has been held to a minimum
by British air raids on Kiel, Ham,
burg, and other ports.
British sea power is tremendously
strained. Her ships must police every
ocean in the world They must at
tempt to bring her merchant ships
home with the supplies that are need
ed to feed her population and arm her
fighting forces. That is why British
hopes are today pinned to a consid-
cradle extent on-sAe American Navy.
British strategists are confident that
the full participation of our Navy
would assure ultimate German defeat
The American Navy is the largest
and most powerful in the world, ac-
cording to such authorities as Admiral
Woodward. Five years from now, if
plans go according to schedule, it will
also be the fastest navy, and will be
infinitely more powerful. And it is
the one branch Of our fighting serv-
ices which is ready to go to war right
now, if the call is made.
Admiral Woodward believes that if
we went to war the job Of our Navy
in the Atlantic would be fourfold
First, we would occupy and defend
all Atlantic islands on the "other
side," both to forestall their seizure
by the axis, and to strike at invaders
moving out from Europe. Second, we
would blockade ports on the Spanish
and French West African Coast
Third, we would cooperate fully with
the British navy in convoy work
Fourth, we would have to keep large
forces about the Panama Canal to de-
fend it from attack.
In the Pacific, fleet would prob
ably be based at Singapore, to keep
an eye on Japan. American naval Of
ficials think relatively little of the
odpdlitSc navy, dIlu dIc SCI ldil wv
would have little trouble in defending
ourselves from Hawaii to the main
land.
A number of authorities feel that
Hitler would have taken fan
tougher line with us long ago had it
not been for the American Navy
that he wants to avoid actual war with
us because he fears that the unlimited
participation of our fleet would turr
the scales against him. 1t is certain
ly true that his blockade of England
would be made immeasurably more
difficult if our destroyers and cruis.
ers were used for convoy work. Oul
entry into the war would more thar
double the sea power which the Axis
must face.
There are reports that Hitler may
shortly take over what is left of the
French navy-Admiral Darlan, No.
man at Vichy, is notoriously pro-Ger
man and has deep hatred of England
and everything English. If that hap
lpens, Hitler will be greatly strength
lened-the French cruisers would make
IeXcellent raiders and could harass