The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-26
BY Roger Babson


Washington, d. c.. Dec. 26-l
am not an authority on the. prog
ress OF World War II. Hence.
seldom refer 10 II in my column,
as the subject is being covered so
we'll by many experts. In view.
however. of the INTERPRETATION or
the war TO general business. ! do
at the close OF each year. review
the international situation.
Events Of 1910
A year ago | was almost alone
in being optimistic 1910 had OPP
ened with Germany confronted
with the great armies and navies
OF Europe. During the year France
collapsed, Britain nearly succumb-.
ed, while other countries wobbled.
Italy joined with Germany with
the firm belief that the war would
be over before 1870 came 70 an
end. To those who lacked faith
that God is still ruling in His
Heavens, conditions looked very
black a year ago.
This was especially true of
those with whom talked here in
Washington last December. They
fully believed that Britain would
be invaded and the British En-
pire broken up. Only Presiden
Roosevelt and a few intimates
were optimistic as to the outcome.
Whatever else we may criticize
President Roosevelt for, he Ger
tainly has had faith in Great Brit
ain from the very first, even when
almost everyone else was agains,
him.
Let's Look at 1891
Certainly the progress OF Ger
many has been tremendously
checked during 1891 She has ap
parently given up the idea OF in
vading England: Italy has become
liability rather than an asset;
while the Axis group no longei
controls the air or the seas. Ger
many's enc victory has beer in
ba-harouslv slaughtering her Bal
kan neighbors and oyerrunnins
Greece
what about Russia you ask
My guess is that Germany would
like very much to have the Rus
sian situation put back to where
il was year ago What Germany
has secured in the Ukraine does
not begin TO offset her awaken
ing the Russian Bear to its full
fury. Germany will regret enter
ing Russia the same as Japan
regress entering China.
What Hitler is Thinking
Hitler and his group must be
sad today whom they look back
unon the meager results OF this
second ear of the conflict. Their
conuuests have been 50 slowed up
they must feel in their hearts tina
thev cannot win Doubtless Ger
many will take over Turkey-in
Europe and may temporarily OK
tend her control over all the Eu-
ropean Continent. but this would
be in name alone.
When one remembers that only
year ago the columnists were
forecasting the downfall OF Suez
and Gibraltar within few
months. We all have much 70 he
thankful for today. The Italians
have been eliminated from Ethiop'
ia and. before long, both they and
tho Germans and the renegade
Vichy French Army will be cleaned
out Of Africa. The duration Of
the War. will discuss in my fore
cast for 1912 which will appear In
this paper next week. My purpose
now is TO emphasize that the dan
ger peak has been passed and that
Germany will soon be- on tho de-
fensive. provided Russia holds out,
which ! believe she will.
What About Japan?
Two years arc now | was Just
returning from Japan. u was very
/ evident at that time that Germany
was using every effort to force the
/ japanese government into wal
against the United States. The
japanese people are peace-loving
industrious group and want only
TO be lot alone This also applies
4 to most OF tho industrial leaders
Of Japan. Both the masses am
these leaders OF finance, industry
and commerce are absolutely help