The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-03-14

Army Is Learning
From The AXIS
Americans Most
Sore ~ japanese
Schools Exodus
National Problem
., RAY rvcksR
WARRINGTON - The under
ivinr aims a the L. q. army
etresmlininE that became effec-
tive last Monday were not men,
toned in the public announce
ment. But they reflect a be-
lated determination. even on the
part Of the conservative military
faction, To modernize our fight
ing machine by Incorporating
lessons learned from our axis
enemies.
BY eliminating branches TO .
certain degree infantry, srtil-
lery. cavalry, air--and CONSOLE
dating their functions in q uni
fled command. the shift may end
the squabbling and jealousies
which blocked past progress.
Under the old system, each
different administrative officer
strove to advance his arm Of the
services. He saw tactics from
. limited viewpoint. This kind
Of thinking prevented us from
mastering the blitxkrieg type Of
warfare.
~ explains why We developed
~ plane-fank team until last
year. sfter Hitler had demon
strated the striking power Of
thia csmbinatiea. II accounts
for our slowness In embarking
on \ tremendous expansion Of
the aerial force. For this reason.
too. We were laseard in building
. powerful parachute group. al
though we were the first to
prove feasibility Of air = borne
death.
Under the new setup. Lieut..
Gen. Lesley J. McNair will head
the four ground sets of troops
cavalry, infantry. coast and field
artillery. Lieut.. Gen. Henry Fl.
Arnold will handle all aviation
units. Mai. Gen. Brehon b. SOM
ervell will manage the supply
and procurements offices. which
frequently strapped when they
were operated separately.
While the general staff plans
the broad policies affecting the
conduct ef world battles. this
bfto VIII 81 tHat oot Uots ~
there fustest with the mostest"
men and weapons. The experts
regard the move A. the most
extensive revision since Elihu
Root established the present
staff system IN 1908.
The American peoples war
fury 10 directed almost solely
against the japanese. with the
Nazis running . slow second.
According 10 congressional mail
and personal canvasses. the de-
sire to strike back viciously at
the little Bushido boys assumes
raging proportions. Some pay
Geological students even suspect
that Tokyo and Berlin planned Il
that way.
The reason for the difference
IN attitudes appear obvious.
Our folks register profound irri-
tation at the fact that inhsbi-
tants of q small island nation
could knock over the great pow
ers Of the West % easily and
with hardly any real resistance.
A sense Of futility burns them
up.
In view Of years Of warning
against the eventuality OF the
conflict. they feel that the so
called shrewd Yankees were
hornswoggled fatally. Behind
this demand for quick retaiiA-
tson, our experts fear. lies the
danger that we may not see or
wage the conflict with . proper
perspective. II may lead us to
neglect the German menace
while we sock the Nipponese
with everything we have or will
have.
Many military men believe
that the Axis IL q myth" in 70
far a. II means the beginning Of
Q historic friendship and joint
policy between Hitler and Hiro-
hito. They look for = clash when
and II the partners sit down to
divide any spoils.
Others figure that the Pearl
Harbor attack WAS arranged and
timed to divert us NJ the epper-
tune moment II may be the
dictators' hope that we viii re-
duce our aid to Britain. China
and Russia In q paramount at
tempt to vent our spleen in the
other direction. These authori-
ties believe such q scheme sim
ply II q ally and subtle manifesto
Il & II g