Evening star., 1942-03-10
FutefuI Decisions

The advent Of spring, promising
to release once again the full striking
power of the Axis armies, poses for
the United NationS-and more Spe-
ciflcally for the United States
certain questions of strategy which
may be expected to shape the whole
course of the war. If the right
answers to these question are found
the return Of winter should find the
Allies well on their way to victory.
But if we guess wrong, if we should
be out-maneuvered by the enemy
the arrival of 1943 will find us in
the most desperate of military posi-
tionS.
1t is obvious that Hitler and
his associates are mastering their
strength for a supreme offensive
when the weather breaks. For us
the primary question is where the
main blow will fall and how best to
meet it. We cannot be strong at
all points, at least for another year,
and that being the case, choice OF
fronts has to be made. Yet for
political as we'll as military reasons
we cannot concentrate our resources
at one danger point to the exclusion
of all others. The problem is to
apportion our strength without
spreading it too thinly; to meet the
enemy and carry the fight to him on
the most advantageous ground with
out unduly neglecting the other
points of attack. The delicacy OF
this problem is best illustrated by
the diversity of opinion as to its
solution.
We are told, for example, that
Singapore and the East Indies have
fallen because sufficient strength was
not concentrated there. And 1t IS
urged that Australia and India must
be held at all costs, although it is
not certain in which direction Japan
will strike next. From the Middle
East come urgent appeals to the
United States for immediate rein
forcements, with the Importance OF
that theater being stressed by those
who believe that the key to victory
lies in preventing the Nazis from
breaking through to the Indian
Ocean and the Middle Eastern oil
fields. But will Hitler's main thrust
be aimed at the Middle East or will
he try once again to crush the Rus
slams? Most Of the experts believe
that Russia-where Hitler for the
first time has lost the initiative
must be kept in the fight, come what
may, and that the Allies could strike
their most effective blow in RuSsia's
behalf by an offensive in upper Nor
way, or perhaps through France.
And there are other vital phases
OF the matter-aid to China; Hawaii
and General Macarthur in the Phil
ippines; the British Isles; Libya; the
Atlantic coast Of Africa; the Aleutian
Islands and the great sea routes
which must be kept open. Any one
or more Of these areas may be-
come dominant theaters of war and
all are in need of reinforcements.
But we cannot satisfy every demand,
and 1t would be fatal to try to do so
by sending little here and little
there, so that in the end we would
be weak everywhere and strong at
no point.
Obviously a decision has to be
taken. The plan of the enemy must
be anticipated and preparations
made to meet it. Experience has
shown that 1t is fatal to wait until
after the blow has fallen. Our dis
positions, for better or worse, must
be made to a large extent in advance.
This is the great responsibility which
rests upon the shoulders of the Pres
ident and our military leaders. 1t is
for them to make this most difficult
and most fateful military decision in
the history Of our Nation.