Evening star., 1942-03-22
MANY OBSTACLES DELAY ALLIED OFFENSIVE
Stronger Naval Merchant Fleets Declared Prime Needs

slider such talk a stupid blunder, the
effect of which can only be detrimental
to the Nations morale 1t is emphasized
that these light hearted utterances are
responsible for recent British restless
ness and the demands for action at any
price.
No date can possibly be set for the
start Of a grand-scale Allied attack.
That depends less on the preparation Of
our fighting men than it does on the
production of planes, warships, mer-
chantmen and anti-aircraft artillery.
BY next fall the United States Navy
will be strengthened by the addition OF
at least five battleships and a corre-
spondingly large number of auxiliaries.
With this force. which is still far from
the strength needed for an all-out.
offensive, we can hope to assure COM
plete safety of our lines of communica.
ton with strategic points in Australia,
Britain and Russia. But we shall need
twice that force before we can think in
terms Of real offensive
Our air force must be increased in the
same ratio. And what is equally impor-
tant, our merchant marine, which has
suffered severe losses and is likely to
suffer even more before this year is over,
must be large enough to carry a solid
expeditionary force to whatever region
1t may be necessary.
Talk without Real Facts.
But naval and military experts are
1oof,, fn of ~
a particular year when all these condi-
tions will be fulfilled. That, they say,
depends on the production speed Of
American industry, which is just be-
ginning to gear itself to war needs. It
is still long way from the efficiency
of Nazi industry which has at its dis
posal all the plants of industrial Europe.
Periodic statements In this country
and Britain about an offensive within
a few months are worrying professional
Army men. The country has accepted
the reverses of our forces and those Of
our Allies with fortitude. Since Pearl
Harbor there has been no general outcry
for an offensive "at any price" The
country appears to have confidence in
its military and naval leaders and is
willing to let them choose the time and
place for action. But some people, in i'm
portant positions, too, without reason or
full knowledge of what we are up against
have spoken about offensives in the
spring or summer.
In Washington particularly one re-
ceives confidential hints that something
spectacular may happen shortly and it
Is whispered watch Norway" or watch
West Africa" or some other area Of pos
sible operations.
Patience Advised.
The United Nations could, Of course,
make a spectacular move and 1t would
have relative success, but best-informed
military men believe such an offensive,
which would be Of political inspiration,
would eventually end in disaster because
of the lack of bottoms to follow up an
initial military advantage. AS things
stand now we could have headline"
success in Europe next month. but it
would work to our ultimate disadvantage.
The considered opinion of our best
military minds is that we have a hard
road ahead, but that we shall win the
war after tremendous sacrifices, provided
the high command is not rushed by
public opinion or politicians into some
headlong operation which cannot be sus-
tanned In view Of the lack Of war ma.
terials.
We are likely to have successes in the
months to come, both on the sea and
In the air. but unless by some miracle
our enemies simply fold UP. 1t Is much
too early to talk about victory.