Evening star., 1942-11-15

No praise would be fulsome in consid-
ering the brilliance of recent Allied mil
itary operations In North Africa.
The complicated training and organi-
zation preliminary to the attack; the
dindcult transportation and disposition of
the troops involved; the shrewd and
patient diplomacy which has success
the United States-all these factors
were indispensable to the complete initial
success so rapidly gained. Enthusiasm
for this magnificent outcome is as ap-
propriate as it is natural.
But it would be grave mistake to as
sumo from this first successful offensive
that the eventual victory is now just
around the corner. What we see, in the
wise epigram of Winston Churchill is
the end of the beginning and not the
beginning of the end The events of the
past week may we'll spell finis to the Nazi
dream of making the Mediterranean an
Axis lake. They do not, by themselves,
give any assurance of downfall for the
enemy, whether in Europe or in Asia.
Hitler has been properly razzed for
announcing year ago that Russia was
even then finished. Memory of this
gross miscalculation, based on what in
the event proved to be limited German
successes, should help to control danger
Gus exaggeration Of present Anglo
American victories In North Africa.
At Expense of France.
AS yet, so far as our participation is
concerned, these victories have been won
largely at the expense of France.
Assuredly the campaign to secure con-
troll Of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia
might not have been attempted at this
time without the sweeping preliminary
triumph scored over Gen. Rommel by
before this suffered defeat in Libya and
come back rejuvenated. The major diff
ference this time lies not so much in the
greater degree OF liquidation for the
Afrika Korps, but rather in the carefully
timed American Intervention which so
clearly diminishes the possibility that
Rommels army will again be successfully
reformed.
The seizure of the western seaboard of
North Africa has separated from do
mestic control by far the most important
part OF the French overseas empire.
This includes the rich resources of AL
geria, which during the past century has
become increasingly an integral part
Of the economy Of France proper. France
is therefore the initial victim Of this new
turn, in the war. And all enthusiasm is
sobered by the tragic fact that the pre-
uminary to. direct attack on the Axis
must include the further dismember-
ment, humiliation and attrition Of
France.
Ceases to Be Sovereign Nation.
That The French resistance in North
Africa has been little more than nominal
is not surprising. This shattered nation,
with the bulk Of its once competent
army still interned in Germany, could
not have offered successful opposition
even if any desire to fight Americans had
been present. Only at Dakar at the out
set shrewdly left undisturbed, was ef-
1ectlVe defense anticipated. So the speed
Of French capitulation would be a mis-
leading indication of the magnitude of
problems ahead.
The factor of first Importance, in ap-
praising these problems, in the effect
Of current events on continental France.
Geographically this country lies like a
massive bastion protecting both Ger
many and Italy from overland assault
from the vest Is the value of that con-
quered oastion to the Axis increased or
lessened by the upheaval of the past
week?
The Importance of that question is
emphasized by the Axis decision to oc-
cupy all Of that part of France which
heretofore has been able to maintain