The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-08-14
Economic . /.
M9hA9A
National and International Problems
Inseparable from Local Welfare

shot occasionally upsets the dope and
comes through for win. Some OF
the experts are now cautiously haz-
arding the guess that this may prove
true of the Russians.
When the German-Russian war be-
gan, the bulk of the military authori-
ties reluctantly agreed that Hitler
was probably right when he said that
it would be over in six weeks. Those
six weeks and more have now passed,
and the Russians, instead of retreat
ing in confusion, are said to be plan
ming gigantic counter-attacks. The
Germans have not taken any areas Of
major Importance. The Red air force,
which, according to German claims,
was almost totally destroyed in the
early days of the fighting, is still
very much in evidence and is giving
excellent support to the Soviet land
forces. The Red mechanized equip
ment, which was supposed to he sec
ond-rate, has, according to some re-
porters who have seen it in action,
actually proven equal and even su-
perior to the German. Most important
of all, the morale of the Russian peo-
ple-military and civilian alike
seems to have proven far more
staunch than anyone expected.
Germany has not lost the Russian
war. 1t would not come as any great
surprise if Hitler's forces yet sue
ceeded in taking Moscow, Leningrad
and other key cities. But these would
be hollow victories unless, at the
same time, Hitler was able to destroy
Russian military power. So long as
substantial Red armies remain in ex
istence and fighting, Hitler will not
be safe no matter how much Rus
sian territory he succeeds in conquer
ing. On top of that, Russian civilians
have shown an almost suicidal fervor
in destroying areas which have been
evacuated, and in sniping at German
troops. The Russians are fighting
total war in total fashion now, and
they have demonstrated surprising
courage.
Best of all, from the British-Ameri-
can point of view, is the apparent
fact that Germany is suffering terrific
losses. On August 2, the Russians
claimed that 100000 Reich troops
had been killed, wounded or captured.
That may represent big exaggera-
tion-neither the Russian nor the
German propaganda ministries can
be depended upon for the whole truth.
But, if even a third or half that many
German troops have bene incapaci-
tated, it is a severe reverse to Hitler.
The first divisions sent into Russia
were the cream of the German crop
the tough veterans of the Polish,
French and Low Countries cam
paigns. No nation can create soldiers
Of that quality overnight. That may
explain reports to the effect that the
reserves Germany has lately sent into
Russia have proven inferior in quality
to the men who preceded them.
1t also seems unquestioned that
Germany has lost vast quantities OF
aircraft and mechanized equipment
and has consumed immense amounts
of oil, that most precious of war ma
terials. Russian bombers have beer
invading the Rumanian oil fields, ano
may have done considerable damage
And in the meantime, Britain has
been carrying on determined, big
scale air raids against the Continent
At the beginning, British spokes
men had little to say of Russian
chances They were frankly skepti.
CAL Now they are saying that the
Russians have actually stopped the
Germans, and that there is no possi
bility of the campaign ending before
the winter rains set in If that is
true, Germany will be in for a wal
of position-and that is precisel!
what Hitler cannot afford. In addi
ton, Britain gets stronger as Ger
many gets weaker. This was ism
over yet-but not since it started ha:
the outlook been so good for tht
Allies.
In time, news of the German re
verses and losses is bound to seel
through to the German people, M
matter how much baloney DR.. Goeb
bels puts out through press an(
radio. Then, think some, German
E morale will start to crack. 1t is ;
I fact that in the last World War, Ger
1 many went to pieces in a matter o
few months, and the main reasol
for that was the collapse of moral
,@ ~