Evening star., 1941-12-25
InterIockinq War

InterIocking War
Each hectic day that passes must
drive home the realization that all
the far-fung battle lines on land
and sea, despite their wide dispersal
and varying circumstances, form in
tegral parts of true world war such
as mankind has never seen before.
The tide of conflict in any one OF
them directly influences all the rest,
not merely in diplomacy and morale
but strategically as well.
Take, for example. the present
campaign in the Philippines, where
American and Filipino forces are bat
ting heroically against admittedly
long odds. Why is it that reinforce
ments are not being rushed from
nearby Allied points in the Far East?
Because the Philippines, important
though they may be, can hardly be
reinforced at the expense of Singa-
pore, the key to the entire Allied
defense line in the Orient Singa-
pore is itself under strong japanese
pressure. Why, then, is not all avail
able Allied strength rushed there?
Because the Japanese, from their
bases in Thailand and on the Malay
Peninsula, are threatening British
Burma, which is both the entrance
to China's supply line, the Burma
Road, and the gateway to British
India. To protect Burma, large Brit
ish forces have had to be concen-
trated there instead Of aiding in
Singapore's defense.
Burma is defended largely by In
dian troops, OF which vast numbers
have been mobilized since the start
Of the war. Why cannot more of
this abundant reservoir of manpower
be spared for Burma and Malaga?
Because many Of these men already
have been sent or earmarked for serv-
ice in the Middle and Near East, to-
gether with various parts Of Africa,
where the maintenance of British
power is vitally necessary to protect
the empire. supply Russia via Iran,
and drive the Axis from Libya.
Indian troops have formed only
part of the imperial armies in those
regions. The rest is made up of con-
tingents from the Dominions and
Britain. Why have not more British
troops been sent there from the great
pool Of soldiers in Britain? Because
of the ceaseleSS threat of German
invasion of the British Isles. The
Imperial armies are largely equipped
with American war materials. Why
not even more so? Because our arm
ament output has to be apportioned
among many eager recipients, in
Guiding Britain and its empire, Rus
sia, China, the Netherlands Indies,
and, OF course, our own armed forces,
now confronted with war in it's grim
NEST form. Even the Latin Ameri-
can nations, though still largely neu-
tral in the technical sense, must be
supplied to some extent, and their
needs may increase at any time.
Much the same considerations ap-
ply to the Axis side of the conflict.
Great though their trained man
power and accumulated equipment
may be, it is not unlimited and must
be carefully managed. The Russian
campaign has caused serious deple-
ton, and may possibly prevent Ger
tain ambitious plans such as drive
through Turkey which might have
been carried out if Russia had been
defeated. Yet, though unsuccessful,
the Axis has inflicted such losses on
Russia as perhaps to prevent her
from opening up Far Eastern front
by joining in the war against Japan
ard assisting China on large scale.
And, conversely, Japan's preoccupa-
ton with her campaigns in South
eastern Asia presumably renders an
attack on Siberia impracticable.
These are merely some of the high
spots OF the planetary conflict which
must be engaging the earnest atten-
ton OF President Roosevelt and
Prime Minister Churchill. If it
should seem at times that too little
Is being done at one point, too much
at another, it must be remembered
that this war of the world is basic
ally one war, and that those upon
whom has fallen the heavy RESPONSE
bility OF its direction cannot permit
the urgencies of a particular battle
to take precedence over the funda-
mental requirements of the war as
whole.
Hitler's Russian timetable, while
| as difficult IN figure ont as most other