Evening star., 1942-02-22

lent to $4,000 100000 year. American
production is today at the rate of about
$4,000 100000 annually, but may be
from $35 900 900 900 to $4,000, ,000 900 by
next winter.
This Year Crucial.
Other statistics from the same source
appear to establish that Germany is
devoting II per cent of its national ef-
fort to military output and % per cent
to civilian consumption. Corresponding
figures for Italy are given as 80 and 20
per cent, while those for Japan are prob
ably no less. In the United States, the
proportion is still in the neighborhood
of 76 per cent for civilians and "a per
cent for war 1t is hoped to make the
ratio $3.50 by December, but appre-
hension is felt that it may not surpass
65-35 on account of bottlenecks in ma
chine tools, raw materials and trained
labor.
The deduction is drawn that 1912 well
may prove to be the crucial year of the
struggle, with the Axis exerting the
most savage pressure in all areas to
achieve a decision before the full
strength of the United States comes into
play, as the President has pledged it will
by 1943. The forthcoming Axis onslaught
is foreseen as one of unprecedented
fury, since the leaders have taught
their peoples that national extermina-
ton is the alternative to victory. The
Allies are confronted with enemies who
have resolved to win at all costs, by
Whatever means.
On the favorable side, a survey of the
world scene shows that the Allies far
exceed the Axis in the essential factors.
of population, territory, wealth and raw
materials; and that even today they
have possibly taken the lead not only in
sea power but In number of men under
arms, combat aircraft in service and
industrial plant. In all four of the latter
fields, it seems likely that the United
Nations, unless they are overthrown this
year, at no remote date will have out
stripped their foes irreparably. "'b'
The Axis is logically near its maximum
in number of men under arms, but the
United States has barely begun to draw
on it's potential of more than 10000, 900
troops. Even SO, the Allies appear al
ready to have an advantage. Official
figures are universally restricted, and
statistics in some cases represent sheer
guesses Resent estimates of Allied
armies are as follows: China, 100000 to
100000; Russia, 100000 to 5,000,0 900;
the British Empire, 100000 to 3500,000;
the United States, 100000; and the
Netherlands Indies, 100000. The total is
calculated at 100000 to 16,200, 900.
Stated in terms of divisions, aggregate
military strength is computed as be-
tween 453 and 936.
Axis Army Estimates.
Axis armies are thought to comprise
10560 900 to 1850 900 soldiers, represent
ing 464 to SIS divisions. Separate esti-
mates are as follows: Germany, 100000
to 100000; Japan, 100000: Italy, l.
100000; Rumania, 100000 to 100000
Finland, 100000 to 2500o0, and Bulgaria
and Hungary, 10000 to 250,000 each.
Thanks to Russia's huge fleet of planes
the Allies appear to have a perceptible
edge in number of combat aircraft in
service. The totals as reported are
16,lOO to $4,000 for the United Nations
and 13,2OO to 1S,4OO for the Axis. Russia
is credited with 5000 planes, Great Brit
ain, 4,5oO to $500; the United States,
5000 to 5000; Netherlands Indies, 500
to 600, and China, 100 to 200. Figures
alleged for the Axis are: Germany, $500
to $500; Japan, 5000; Italy, $500 to
5000; Rumania, 500 to TOO; Hungary,