Evening star., 1942-01-11

From everywhere that the Allies are
fighting Singapore, the Netherlands
Indies, Britain, Africa and China-come
urgent pleas to Washington for planes
and more planes. All types are required,
bombers, fighters and interceptors.
The American Army and Navy add
their voices to the clamor. In the South
Pacific Allied naval forces under Admiral
Thomas c. Hart, which could deal death
blows to the japanese, are forced to re-
main inactive for lack of air protection.
Never in the military history of the
United States have American fighting
men shown more bravery than in this
war. Those who have had the privilege
of reading some of the terse reports
written in Gen. Douglas MacArthur's
impersonal style have been deeply moved
by the heroic deeds of that handful of
men who have been holding off the
japanese in the Philippines, in spite of
the enemy's overwhelming superiority
not only in numbers but in equipment
as we'll.
The old saying that one American SOL
uACl 40 WI eli AOul opo 40 OIL CPiS uAA0SA-
statement, according to Gen. Macarthur.
He has proved in the plains, the hills
and the jungles of Luzon that the Amer
lean is worth twice that number.
Japs' Equipment Preponderant.
American and Filipino soldiers from
buck privates to highest ranking officers,
are fighting as never before, but what
could Gen. MacArthur's aviation, which
scarcely exceeded 120 machines, includ-
ing trainers, do against the waves of
as 100, which the japanese sent against
them? What could score of American
tanks do against the avalanche of
mechanical units which the japanese
have poured into the islands almost
under the eyes of the helpless American
naval forces? Admiral Hart probably
has plane carrier or two in his Asiatic
fleet, but they are too vulnerable to be
risked against the Japs, who are operat-
ing from nearby land bases.
Before the war, the Philippines were
considered to be potentially important
operating base in the Western Pacific,
because American air armadas could
have taken off from Philippine airfields
to protect naval vessels. But when the
time came there were no planes. Our
bombers, fighters and interceptors were
sent in such numbers to Libya, Russia
and the Near East since last July that
mighty few were available for defense
Of our outpost in the Far East.
Gen. Macarthur, who foresaw the
japanese attack, pleaded with Washing
ton for an adequate air force. When,
finally, a number of planes were sent
to him it was too late.
High-ranking Army and Navy officers
are we'll disciplined; they say nothing,
and do not complain. They are busy
preparing to stem japanese advances
and to fight the war to victorious
finish. But before hostilities broke out
they indicated that they did not believe
civilians, regardless of how successful
they were in business, politics or social
works-men like William S. Knudsen,
Harry Hopkins and Donald Nelson
could determine Americas immediate
war needs.
Specialized Needs Stressed.
War, they maintained, is specialized
and difficult business which requires
many years of intense study and prepara-
ton. Modern warfare demands techni-
cal knowledge, but the fact that man
has been an excellent engineer, salesman
or banker does not mean that he knows
how to fill the requirements of an Army
and Navy.
Despite repeated warnings by mill
tary and naval specialists, American bus
iness-including both labor and capital
has not been willing to undergo the
necessary radical change from profitable
production for trade to improbable pro-
duction for war.
All kinds of arguments were offered
by business leaders why wholesale
Transformation could not be Immediately
effected. Labor went on with its strikes
as If we had scores of years ahead to
prepare for war. The country at large
was fully convinced that we were in no
danger Of being attacked by any one.
Hence, none was willing to curtail dras-
tically what we euphoniously call the
American standards of living for the