Evening star., 1942-11-15
Outlook for Victory
Much Improved
By ODen L. Scott.

By O1De1 L. Scott.
At least two major mysteries Of this
war now are cleared up. The first Of
these mysteries concerned the disappear
ance OF American-made war weapons.
The second concerned the reason why
this country persisted in dealing with
the Vichy government of France while
that government co-operated with Hitler.
Beth of these mysteries evaporated
when American forces, armed to the
teeth, moved to occupy French possess
sions in Africa, and when British forces,
also armed to the teeth, routed Hitler's
famed Afrika Korps in Egypt.
The first mystery had grown from the
fact that American industry for many
months had been grinding out vast
quantities of sirplanes, guns, tanks and
other war weapons, which seemed to
disappear. The Russians did not get
them in any great quantity. The British
said they did not get them for their own
use in the British Isles. Our own forces
at home did not appear to be boarding
equipment.
Stories were told OF how large numbers
of American soldiers, with great amounts
of equipment, were being poured into
England where it was presumed that
they and their equipment would be idle
for many months. Other stories were
told of American troops moving to At
lantic bases, and to other points, in
volume that seemed out of keeping with
the needs in those areas. Again, much
equipment went along.
Then two things happened. First, the
British opened up against the Germans
in Egypt When they started their Of
fensive it was discovered that almost all
airplanes used were of American make.
At the same time at least half Of the
tanks used were American made. The
Germans quickly were driven from the
Skies and they quickly were defeated on
land. American-made bombers earlier
had blasted the German supply lines
from Europe to Africa. Here, obviously,
had been an outlet for much American
made equipment.
Then American forces, in large num-
bers, moved into Africa. Those forces
were equipped with far more weapons,
and with far better weapons than any
force that Hitler ever sent on his over
seas ventures. Hitler never had been
able to move more than four or five
divisions across the narrow Medlter-
ranean waters to Africa and he moved
even fewer divisions than that to Nor
way. This country operated on much
bigger scale. In that operation. the
troops and equipment that apparently
were to lie idle in England, played their
big part.
There no longer need be much mystery
about what was being done with an i'm
portant proportion of the equipment
that American industry has been turn
ing out. 1t was being assembled for the
lob of driving the Germans and italians
from Africa.
Likewise, the mystery of American re-
lations with Vichy evaporates in the light
of events. This country played along
with the Government of Laval because
it had its eye on the main chance. There
was a choice. The American Govern
ment could have broken relations with
the French, thereby placing them upon
guard and probably throwing them into
the war on the side of Germany with
out at the same time yielding returns to
u.s. Or, this Government could main
tain relations and keep the French of
guard while preparing to take advantage
of the opening that the French territory
in Africa offered to us. The decision was
in favor of maintaining relations and
that decision appears to be paying very
big dividends. Developments remove any
mystery concerning the reason for that
decision.
Out of the clearing of these mysteries
can come greater confidence in Amer
ican war leadership. After experiences
in the Pacific, and after the submarine
victories in the Atlantic, misgivings de-
veloped concerning the foresight and the
ability of the American high command.
Some of those misgivings can evaporate
with the mysteries. President Roosevelt
and Winston Churchill months ago de-
cided upon the broad lines of strategy
and upon the division of command that
now are showing themselves. The
strategy turns out to have been very
we'll conceived so far as war on Hitler is
concerned In the execution of strategy,
at least in the case of the United States,
a free hand is allowed to the military
high command. That execution, initially
at least. has been brilliant.
All of this is very encouraging to our
side. 1t shows that the day is gone when
Hitler could call all of the turns and
could appear to have all of the breaks on
his side. Hitler's main armies are begged
down in Russia. He is losing, if he has
not already lost any possibility of again
having command in the air. His satel-
lite nations in Europe are in very bad
way.
American and British forces in Africa
now can begin to concentrate on Italy.
The Italians probably would rejoice at a
chance to get out of the war. They are
to have that chance during the winter
If only they can throw off the control Of
German troops. If the Mediterranean
can be opened and If Italy can be driven
from the war, or enticed out of the war.
in the months just ahead, Hitler would
be lcft rather alone in the world to face
a terrific onslaught by air and land.