Evening star., 1941-12-12

r,ar n 1oso has
been an as David Lawrence.
sumption that sooner or later the
United States would be the victim
of aggression by the Axis powers.
Neither he nor anybody else in the
Government could ever tell exactly
how or when the blow would come.
But ever since the Rome-Berlln-
Toxic agreement was signed last
year, the belief has prevailed here
that the Nazis would take 1t upon
themselves eventually to extend
their war to include the United
States.
What was not expected was that
the japanese really would take the
initiative. American policy makers
here feared such a result but never
felt sure it would happen just that
way. While the two-ocean war has
come and the extent of American
preparedness leaves much to be de-
sired, the fact is that America S
industrial capacity is farther along
the road than it was in COM
parable period preceding 1917. This
is general observation and Is
subject to certain exceptions, but the
United States has airplane produc-
ton, for instance, far enough along
TO expect that within another year
the airpower Of America, combined
with that Of Britain, will inflict
critical blows against the Axis.
Bombers May Decide War.
Fortunately for America and
Britain, the decision to manufac-
ture long-range bombers was made
early this year. 1t is decision
which could have been made much
sooner, but nevertheless, the present
production Of the huge bombers is
ahead Of anything the Axis powers
have or can make. This Is because
the raw materials needed in quantity
and the high-powered engines for
such vast undertaking are avail
able nowhere else.
The bomber may decide this war.
American pilots are being trained in
large numbers and the accuracy of
their firing especially in the Naval
Air Corps Is generally conceded,
What needs to be guarded against
now is drop In morale and the
beginning Of a hysterical stage
among the people of the United
States because they find themselves
subject to sporadic attacks from the
air by reckless aviators sent by the
enemy to spread terror even at the
cost of their own lives.
The Nazi strategy is expected to be
a relaxation Of activity on the Rus
sian front and concentration Of
military effort down through France,
Spain and Portugal, with the Azores
and African ports as air and sub
marine bases.
Unpleasant News in Prospect.
The struggle ahead is not the kind
the average American has visualized
heretofore, for he has believed so
much in the invincibility Of his own
country because of the two big
oceans that he has not yet adjusted
his thinking to the hazards that
come with aircraft carriers that can
be operated off shore or air attacks
that can be made from African
bases against American and British
naval forces.
1t is, therefore, the next few weeks
and months which will perhaps bring
unpleasant news very much as was
the experience of the British. The
courage of the Nation is to be tested
in the emergency and, as has been
said again and again by competent
observers in Britain, people of the
Anglo-SaXon temperament never
actually prepare for war till they are
In the middle of it.
Americas resources are vast and
her industrial capacity is unex-
ampled. She will in due time have
the trained troops to man the tanks,
bombers, submarines and warships
that must now do battle in both the
Atlantic and the Pacific The fleet
at present being constructed rapidly
will be capable of sweeping Japan
off the seas no matter what foot
holds may now be attained. The
American and British are strong
enough, meanwhile, to hold their
own in both oceans and stave off any
substantial attacks for the next two
years, while the mightiest naval and
air force the world has ever known
is being built by the United States.
There is not the slightest reason for
looL IF pnnfdence