The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-02-12
Two Months At War

brief check up reveals that the fortunes of
war have been running against the United
States on the actual fighting fronts and
and that our major war effort is still gain
ing momentum in the nations factories.
Our fighting men are being put into
training camp in rapidly increasing num-
bers and we are still in more or less the
preparation stage.
It is true, of course, that we have fight
ers on far flung fronts-in the Dutch East
Indies, where our aviators and planes, in
undisclosed numbers, have been harassing
the Japs; in Ireland, where they await
future European Developments on the
Bataan peninsula where they are fighting
a desperate and lonely battle to cling to
narrow strip of land.
The United States navy has been busy,
too. It's submarines have accounted for
numerous japanese ships and it's surface
vessels in joint action with its aircraft and
the planes of the army, have struck hard
and successfully in the Straits of Macassar
and in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands.
But, despite isolated victories, despite
the great stand on Wake Island and by the
army of General Macarthur in the Phil
pines, it is obvious that the military situa-
ton of this country and its allies has grown
steadily worse in the Western Pacific.
Of course the Japs have taken terrible
losses, but have overrun tremendous and vi
tai territories. They have paid dearly for
what they have won. They have the advan-
tage of choosing the places of attack
They have conquered Malaga and stand
just across from Singapore. They have oc-
cupied positions in the Dutch East Indies.
The allies must be prepared, the experts
say, to accept the possible ultimate loss of
Singapore and the Indies.
The only improvement in the situation,
in the view of the strategists, can come on
ly from sending tremendous reinforce
ments-thousands upon thousands of both
men and airplanes tremendous quantities of
other war supplies and for the present, the
men are in the training camps, the planes
and other war equipment are in the fac
tories
But two months have seen vigorous
start toward converting every possible
unit of peace time machinery to the prod
uction of war supplies. Ending period of
confused, multiple counsels, President
Roosevelt has detailed one man, Donald
Nelson, to supervise war production and
has given him dictatorial power over
American industry.
Nelson has revised the supervisory sys-
tenn and placed men who are accustomed
to getting results in the spots where they
seem to be needed. He has clothed them
with authority, in some cases, as complete
as that which he has himself - power to
make decisions on the spot, without resort
ing to the time-killing red tape of consult
ing Washington.
The civilian has felt the pinch of war
no more new automobiles, no more tires for
his old car. Sugar is scarce and is soon to
be placed upon basis of strict rationing.
There are many things he must do without,
and more are in prospect.
On the diplomatic front, the Roosevelt
administrations Pan-American good neigh
Dor policy bore fruit in resolution signed
by the foreign ministers of every North
and South American country recommend
ing that their nations sever diplomatic re-
lations with the axis countries. All but
Argentina and Chile have done or are
about to do so, and they may.
But the main war effort is concentrated
in the factories and the training camps.
By surprise attacks, by being relatively
much closer to the scene of action, Japan
has scored tremendous victories. But she
has also spread her forces over vast area
and established communication and sup
ply lines that are long, tenuous and ex-
ceedingly vulnerable.