Evening star., 1942-12-06
Impact Heavy
HardshipsAre Tempered
by Hope of Victory
BY BLAIR BOLLES.

one year ago tomorrow at 7:02 am. an
American Army private in the Hawaiian
Islands detected through the earphones
pressed Over his ears the sound of ap-
preaching airplanes. What he heard was
war.
The planes were japanese. Before long
they were firing on American naval ships
In Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and on Amer
ican planes on Hickam Field, Hawaii.
Thus on December Z, 1941, at the very
moment when it was seeking some form
ulary method Of preserving peace with
Japan and was well embarked on pro-
gram short Of war" for harassing the
ambitions Of Axis Germany and Italy,
the United States was thrust into the
realities of the battle for control of our
world. War against Japan flung us into
war against Japan's Axis partners.
On this first anniversary of the Amer
lean participation in the fight against
the Axis, the prime question is whether
there will be second anniversary. How
long will the war last? The first eight
months Of the war brought to this coun-
try little but adversely. Yet shining in
the midst of those fumbling misfortunes
like diamonds in trash barrel were
deeds of determination and courage that
promised bright future. The darkest
days already have gone.
About 100000 men are under arms.
More than 1920 000, 900 900 has been ap-
propriated for war in the IL months.
Like the fire that gave new life to the
phoenix, the years battles, trials, dis
asters and successes have reforged Amer
lea. After the defeatism and despair of
the 30s, when the country's salvation and
hope were deposited in the keeping of
ofticial Washington, the terrors of war
have shown anew that the people of the
United States are brave, bold, indie
pendent, energetic and optimistic
The coming of war put America into
new world.
Violent Home CHANGES,
The shape of existence at home has
been violently changed during the year
that the United States has been fighting
a war that spreads over the five oceans
and shakes the five inhabited continents
The land of plenty has been turned into
the country of scarcity. The automobile
ride is rare because rubber and gasoline
are rationed. War has put ceiling on
salaries. War has cut down the fuel oil
needed to heat American homes. Cir
cumstances that have lowered cur sup
plies OF sugar. coffee, meat and other
foods have revised our diets Women who
used to daily in choosing between a ten
derloin and a porterhouse at the BUTCH
er's now smile with pleasure when they
learn there is piece of round in the
shop. Our news is censored. The fu-
ture of everybody is uncertain. No ply
sically fit man between Is and IS knows
when he will be called to arms
The conduct of the far-fung war has
taxed the strategists of the United Ma
tions and the United States. The same
generals and admirals who conceice the
campaigns in the South Seas have had
to plan for war south Of Gibraltar and
make prepara tions to fight on Indias
edge. After the years of faith in the
Maginot Line and in blockades, the
strategy for victory has been shown once
again to be the strategy of attack. Tao
tics have changed. The year since Pearl
Harbor has demonstrated time and acain
the strength of the airp'aNe in naval
operations. On the land the Jaranese
showed that small, swift forces preceding
according to a well-conceived plan are
difficult to resist by large forces On the
sea, the United States showed that in
ferior forces can do a superior job when
their commander is bold and confident.
AS long as stories are told about the Won
ders of American military accomplish-
ment, they will celebrate Admiral Will
liam Halsey, who cleared out the waters
around the Solomon Islands. They will
glorify the light cruiser Sc, whose
guns sank six enemy sllins in an hour.