Evening star., 1942-07-12

ahead of us would end without disaster
to our associates.
We have now entered the seventh
month of our war against the Axis. In
March this year one Of our foremost
naval officers predicted in private con-
versation that defensive offensive opera
tions by United States forces would start
sometime during the summer. Despite
the totally unexpected reverses suffered
by the British In Africa and their In
evitable consequences on the whole the
ater in the Near East; despite the ter
rife drive Of the Axis in Russia. which
may result In the loss Of some very I'M
portant regions in the U. S. S. r., the
time for an aggressive American action
is drawing near. -
We Must Travel Road to Berlin.
President Roosevelt's strategy advisers
agree with him and with their British
colleagues that this war can be ended
only by physical invasion of the Reich.
This is automatic and must occur, re-
gardless of what the fate OF our other
associates may be. But the question OF
how to get into the Reich is debatable.
There are two gateways into Germany:
One from Western Europe, the shortest
route; the other, much longer, through
Asia, the Near East and Eastern Europe.
The shortest route is not always the
easiest. Lack Of shipping facilities, lack
of an overwhelming air force and the
time element seem to make this gateway
to the Reich much more difncult to
open than the longer route.
There has been considerable talk about
a second front, which by implication
meant that we would attempt to land
somewhere in Western Europe. An at
tempt may be made, but there are such
great obstacles in our path that 1t is
doubtful whether we will seriously at
tempt to break through the formidable
Nazi defensive lines.
1t is not the fear OF losing a battle
which makes an operation questionable.
It Is the moral effect setback would
have on the peoples OF Europe on whom
we count for assistance. A major defeat
in Western Europe might have a dis
couraging effect. even on the Russians,
who are the most vociferous advocates of
a second front In Europe. Much as we
would like to choose the short road for
invasion of the Reich, such an operation
, offers us little prospect of success at this
time
Russia Will Hang On.
The road to Germany by way Of the
Netherlands Indies, India. the Near East
and Russia seems fantastic on the sur
face. but is considered by the most
competent military minds in the United
States as the best under the circum-
stances.
The resistance OF the Russians to the
Nazi onslaught is little short of miracu
lous. But we must face the fact that
their armies may have to yield much
ground this summer. The possibility
that the Soviet forces will have to with
draw to line between the Volga River
and the Ural Mountains is not excluded.
There they have sufficient resources to
maintain their armies against an enemy
who has tremendously extended lines Of
| communication. The Russians could
hold on indefinitely in that region and
meanwhile important offensive opera
tions could be started by the United
States in the Pacific.
The lines Of communication between
Japan and the conquered territories in
the South Pacific could be raided and
seriously hampered by the Navy, sup
ported by aviation. The occupation OF
Timor and Borneo-an excellent base for
our aviation-is regarded as an opera
ton which could be successfully carried
out this year.
If the production Of war materials
continues at the present rate by the
spring OF l943 we shall have such an
output Of war materials that we shall
be able to provide all our associates With