Evening star., 1941-04-08

rfQn of plants David Lawrence
and factories, the United States is
becoming a factor of incalculable
importance in the war.
Herr Hitler has had his plans up
set by the Balkan uprising and by
the demolition of the Italian set-up
in Africa. No longer can there be
a Nazi concentration this spring on
Britain. Figures released concern
ing the American export of planes in
January may be taken as an indi-
cation of what happened in Feb
ruary and what happened as well
in March. The mere announcement
that about 1000 or more planes had
been shipped abroad in January
means very little. Americans have
Rad their eyes too much on quantity
instead of quality. If only 500
planes of a certain type were sent
to Britain's armies either in Africa
or the Balkans or to England itself
each of the last three months, the
addition of 1900 first-class fighting
craft is a factor of transcendent
Importance in the war. The speed
of the new planes, their huge horse
power and carrying capacity in
bombs signify a superiority over
anything possessed by the Nazis.
Air Superiority Nearing.
The progress of aviation is rela-
lively slow, counted in numbers, but
in quality of fighting planes fur
nished Britain, the aid extended to
foes of the axis is something of
which America can already be
proud. If YugoSlayia can keep the
Nazis busy for another three or
four months, the British, with their
uninterrupted production and Amer
ican help, will come near getting
complete superiority in the air.
These developments, together
with the plans being shaped up to
ship tanks and other motorized
equipment to certain strategic areas,
insure large American participa-
ton in the military situation during
the year 1941. AS for 1912, the
American production will come roll
ing like an avalanche. The British
know what is coming - they are
fighting with redoubled enthusiasm
The headlines from YugoSlavia
will sound pessimistic for some days
to come as a superior force COM
pelS the Serbs to retreat to their
mountain Businesses. But this is
as expected. What the military
experts will emphasize is that Ger
many will not have as simple a
time in getting control of Yugo-
slavia as she experienced in Poland
or Belgium, or even France.
Routes May Nullify Subs.
Meanwhile, the United States Is
well aware of the importance OF
eheckmating the submarine war
fare of the Nazis and there are all
sorts of plans which will tend to
diminish the danger Of destruction
of ships. Alternative routes far
away from submarines may be used
10 transport war materials to
African bases.
What shall be done about con-
voys? This question is heard most
often In Washington nowadays, but
It is of secondary Importance. The
British have the man power to
handle any destroyers or patrol
vessels which may be turned over
to them.
South America a Factor.
There will be, of course, exten-
Eons of the neutrality patrol of this
hemisphere so the British will not
have to waste units of their navy
In the South Atlantic or in the
waters near American coasts. What
ehe United States is anxious to
obtain is some South American
bases for airplanes and it would
appear that certain South American
countries are not yet cooperating
Wholeheartedly to that end. 1t
may be that Nazi influences are
more effective in stirring up inter-
american friction than appears on
the surface. But sooner or later,
Euch bases will be necessary for
the protection by South American
countries of their own territories,
and once these are built up it is
hot improbable that arrangements
for reciprocal use can be made.
The whole defense program is
proceeding satisfactorily with the
exception of the labor problems and
bhese are being pressed for solu-
tion by an alert public opinion plus
the quiet influence of President
Roosevelt, who, by the way, sched-
uled personal conference this
week with Philip Murray, head of
The @. I. O., whose organization has
been responsible for the major
strikes in defense industries.
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