Evening star., 1941-12-21

them victory over the A. b. Z. u. fOrc
While we must expect some further
territorial gains by the Japs during the
next few weeks, there is definite feeling
in Washington that the enemy can be
stopped before long. This estimate is not
wishful thinking or super-optimism, but
is based on facts which cannot be re-
vealed because they are the secrets Of
the armed forces.
The Japs and Germans have two prin-
cipal objectives: Singapore and the
Netherlands Indies for the former; the
Near East for the latter.
Must Take Raw Materials.
1t must be emphasized once more that
these robber nations cannot hope to
win the war or even prolong it unless
they can take over the principal oil and
law material sources in the East
Mosul in Iraq and Java, Sumatra and
Borneo in the Pacific. All their other
activities, all their other successes are
nominal.
The Axis may gain more territories,
may capture more important cities, but
II they cannot control the oil supplies
with which to propel their ships, ny
their planes and move their mechanical
forces. they have no chance of winning
this war.
All the other theaters OF operations,
Including the British Isles and the East
ern front, are really of secondary i'm
portance. The Allies principal effort,
in the next few months or years, must
be concentrated on preventing the Axis
from obtaining the liquid gold which is
the vital force of every fighting army.
There is evidence to indicate that the
Germans, supported by their satellites,
the Italians, BulgarianS and Rumanlans,
are now preparing blitz in the Eastern
Mediterranean. This offensive is re-
ported to be scheduled for some time be-
tween now and February. Other possible
DEVELOPMENTS. such as extension OF Nazl
domination in North Africa, demon
stration against the United States with
increased submarine activity in the At
lantic, or even possible action by German
naval or air forces of the American
coast, are mere incidentals.
Expect Attack in Near East.
The main drive-some say the last
drive-of the Nazis must take place IN
the direction of the Near East, military
experts believe. Details Of the operating
plans of the German high command are
nf course, unknown, but it is believed that
the best fighting units from the Russian
front have already been Withdrawn and
are being relocated for action in the Near
East. So Is the bulk of the Nazi air
force.
According to the few reports received
here by way of Turkey, the Greek, Bull
garian and Rumanian airdromes have
been filled recently with German planes.
The occupied islands off the coast OF
Asia Minor are seething with. activity.
War material. including large quantities
of gasoline, barges for possible landing
expedition and small torpedo boats OF the
type used to protect such landings are
being massed in the ports adjacent to
Asia Minor.
Winter, which frustrated Hitler's aims
in Russia, likewise may prevent the
Soviet armies from developing their vic
tories against the Nazis much further.
Hitter is reported to be satisfied that his
battered forces can hold line some
where near Smolensk. The troops IN
the rear have been working like beavers
to organize a powerful line OF defense
against the Russians. Reports from
Vichy. Unoccupied France, indicate that
1t is In the Smolensk-Kiev region that
the Germans will establish their main
line of resistance to the Soviets.
Mr,u.--i.n,:s Main Objective.
The major battle of this war will be
fought on the plains of Mesopotamla,
with a sideshow in North Africa, where
the Germans hope to have complete
control before the end of the year.
The British imperial forces in that
REGION are strong enough, according to
all estimates. to Withstand Nazi attack.
The British high command realizes that
It will be q tremendous struggle, but the
army Is in good shape. 1t has enough
war material for several months, but 1t Is
considered essential that American fac
..-,--.--s continue to pour into that region
all the war material they possibly can
If ths German plans are fooled the war
may be much shorter than Is generally
anticipated.
The Near East, then, is the principal
objective of the Germans because OF Its
oil. Japan has a similar objective-the
attraction being not only oil but rubber
too. The Japanese must reduce Singa-
pore and conquer the Netherlands Indies
otherwise all their brilliant successes OF
the first week OF war will be OF little
consequence.
Japan has sent large force into 1ndo-
China and Thailand. This force is esti-
mated at 250,OOo to 275,oo0 men, well
equipped and provided with all the latest
war paraphernalia, and German stan
officers are giving their japanese allies
the benefit of their experience.
The geographical situation of the
British and Dutch possessions is advan-
tageous for the Allies. The narrow neck
which separates Thsiland from the
afVA-