The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-12-18

ganda purposes in Europe, in view Of the grandstand staging by Hit- Ter ad Mussoiini in declaring war against the U. 8. government leaders decided to net on the war resolutions without any discus- sion.
 LTTVINOV'S BEVERAGE
 When Maxim Lityinov held his first press conference as Soviet anbaSsador to Washington, there was q dramatic stage setting Before he entered the room, flood lights were set up, spotting the ambassadors desk, on which r0gt- cd Q shiny silver thermos Jug and glass Behind the desk, c bronze bust of Lenin ,,On the walls, oil paintings of sleigh scenes, dark forests, and bright.eyed peaS- ants The ambasaSdor entered the neWsmen rose He sat, and two Stenographers prepared to take his every word Before speaking, he removed the stopper from the bright thermos jug to pour himself c drink Ae poured-but instead of water, stream of yellow fluid filled his glass All during the press conference he slipped with the relish Of 6 man who, after days ln the desert, has reached m oasis ct last It was orange juice Tn the Soviet Union, or- anges are so rare that most peas- ants don't know the word. SPECULATION ON
 THE PHILIPPINES
 Ten years ago in tho Army War College, the basic principle regarding war iil the Pacific was surrender Of the Philippines af- ter about thirty days Of battle. It was estimated that Corregidor, the fortress outside Manila, could hold out for several months, fl necessary, but the rest Of the Islands would Do taken by the JapaneSe!
 In the last two years, however, thanks to a Philippine army and the aSslduous labors of General MaeArthur, the situation has irn- proved considerably. And 1t was estimated that the Philippines had a fair chance to hold out much longer -- perhaps indefin. itely.
 However, the attack at Hawaii
 has changed the situation. The Injury to the fleet at Pearl
 MaFbOF may mean not only that
 no U. s. ships could go to the
 rescue Of the Philippines, but
 also that 1t would be difficult
 to convey ammunition to be-
 ieaguered Manila.
 Furthermore, 1t would be dif- flcujt to get new aiTplane re. inforcementS to MacArthur be- cause the island stepping stones of Guam, Wake and Midway are in jeopardy.
 Therefore the American public should reconcile itself to the possibility Of the eventual fall of the Philippines, when MacArthur,s supplies Of ammunition and air. planes are exhausted.
 This would not be a major calamity, since American naval forces can always base on Sing apofe and the Dutch East In- diea. But 1t would be big blow to American prestige. Fur. theFFnore it would remove the Philippines as base for haFass- Ing Japanese troop ships en route to the major war theater Singapore.
 NOTE = Much more important effect Of the Hawai- raid was that 1t could diminish Japanese fear of attack from lis. As a result the Japanese would need to keep few warships to guard their home shores: could send them down to the Pacific.
 CAPITAL CMAFF
 The White House has ordered night and day work on the con- struction of an underground bomb shelter. it will permit the President to work underground during air raids, and win also have c connection with the Treas ury for the benefit of Secretary MorRenthau ;. The state De- pertinent will soon issue e new Black List of firms doing. busi-