The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1942-01-22
Economic
~M@hAahA
National and International Problems
mseparable from Local Welfare


pore. From personal observation in the
field, the officer declared, he was con-
vinced that one British soldier was a
match for ten Japanese Unfortunately,
he added, there We're eleven Japanese
This little anecdote accurately de-
scribes the Allied position in the Far
East. So far as the quality of our
troops is concerned, we have every
right to be proud General MacArthur's
American-Filipino forces have per-
formed miracles in fighting delaying
action. which has been immensely cost
ly to the enemy, in the face of over
whelming odds of both men and equip
ment. The exploits of less than 400
marines with a handful of planes and
guns at Wake in fighting hopeless
battle during which they destroyed
seven Japanese ships-ofwar, great
numbers of aircraft and took a terrific
toll of the enemys men, has already
become an epic. But flesh and blood
can do only so much, no matter how
strong the spirit within, and in the
end, the weight of man-power and
machine-power must win the victory.
In the Far East, we are simply in
ferior in force, and that is the whole
story of the defeats we and the British
have suffered.
suit, is time. Time to produce adequate
instruments of wartime to send them
to the battlefrOnts-time to create and
perfect an all-embrasive plan for com
bat. TO send inadequate reinforce
ments TO LuZOn or anywhere else
would be futile-it would mean a pos
sibly ruinous dissipation and waste Of
our efforts and our resources. Many
people may have thought that Mac
Arthur'S stand was uSeless-that fine
soldiers were dying in a battle which
could not be won. But, whether or not
the enemy finally takes all of the Phil
ippineS, the fact that the Japanese are
paying high price for every inch of
ground they gain, and that Mac
Arthur'S stand makes Manila and it's
bay of no use to Japan so long as the
defenders are able to fight on, is in it.
self II military achievement that will
play an important part i'm the eventual
winning of the war.
On some fighting fronts the tide runs
in favor of the United Nations. 1t is
clear to all that the Germans are not
carrying on Il ''strategic retreat" from
Russia. Correspondents who have fol-
lowed the Russian Troops tell of seeing
whole trainlOadS of tanks, guns, mun-
|tonS, food and other supplies left be-
hind intact by the fleeing Nazis. Hitler
certainly did not plan on that. The
Russian army-which, according to an
announcement made by German Press
Chief Dietrich early in October, was
totally destroyed" as an effective
lighting force-has produced ii first
rate miracle. 1t has turned the proud
German divisions into disorganized,
routed remnants of Il once-great army.
Late reports say that the Germans are
trying to muster new armies in the Oc-
Ipalling toll the russians have taken.
Hitler may he able to make these new
armies march and do his bidding, but
he can hardly inluse them with fight
ling spirit.
The Chinese, always fine soldiers,
Iare making splendid use of the ma
'tcrialS of war sent them by Britain and
this country. Great areas of land have
inese generals tell of almost incredible
japanese casualties. And Chinese
forces are aiding in the defense of
Singapore.
In Africa, NaM General Rommcl eS-
capped with part of his force from
Libya with the aid of Il SandstOrm. But
the British have the territory firmly in
hand, and the great bulk of the Ger
man tank divisions 4 fhave been de
,Stroyed or captured. In the long run
this victory may prove to be the most
important Allied success 50 far. Many
an expert thinks control of Africa may
Eventually prove the key to the win
ming of the entire war.
In the Battle of the Atlantic British
shipping LOSSES remain low. The
lAmerican-BritiSh conveys and naval
patrols are working far better than
Ithey ever did before. Destruction of
Nazi U-boatS has been heavy.
The battle which must be won AT
IOnCc is that of the American prOdUc'
| ltion front. Th" Presidents plans for
IeNpanSion of arms production, as laid
down in his State of the Union speech
are universally approved. But many
larc convinced that it cannot be done in
the time scheduled unless the defense
Set-up is uNerhHucd, with one man of
ability and courage placed in supreme
command. Division of responsibility
has made for red tape, waste, confu
sion And that cannot be permitted tC
continue.
| \ X X
! Current plans cali for a tax bill
(which will increase Federal revenue
Ihy $9,oooOOO,o 600 IA year. Inaslnuch as
last years income tax measure, which
WAS the highest in our history, was de
lsi%ncd to produce IL little more thar