Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-07

DIG llSh because he attempted to pull
It from the water instead of firing it
out by long and skillful play All he has
left is a broken line
The same situation can happen in
military strategy when an cnemy-who
Is not played out though he may have
a tagged appearances rushed.
In spite of severe Nazi reverseS III
Russia, in spite of the destruction Of the
Italian Empire in North Africa and de-
feat of the forces under Field Marshal
Erwin Rommel and although we are
holding the japanese in the South Pacific.
1t would be foolish to imagine that the
Axis is sufficiently tired to receive K. O.
from the Allies in the immediate future.
1t is true that the offensive power of
the Italians and the Germans on most
fronts has been broken for the time being.
1t also is true that the japanese arc i'll
a prediCamcnt because their plans for
breaking our lines Of communication to
Australia have been frustrated by Unbc-
lievable acts of herOiSm on the part of
our Navy, Army and Marine forces in
that area.
IUeSc ale SSIIOuS StbUdIhS lui tiAc
Axis which is now on the defensive on
all fronts and has seen victory-WhlCh
appeared within reach a year ago
changed into probable defeat. But Ger
many and Japan realize that defeat Will
mean the obliteration of both countries
as major powers or at the least the final
destruction of their imperialstic dreams.
tnn rlNlJ,S j,Ntn
game to give up, and all military author
tiles in Washington. London and Moscow
agree that they will continue to remain
In the game to the bitter end.
Axis Resources Large.
No professional military expert believes
that the Germans and the japanese have
reached the end of their rope. They still
have large resources Of manpoWer and
raw materials with which they can con-
tinue to fight so long as the morale
within their countries does not break.
To compare the situation in February,
l943, with that of, say, October, 1918,
would be binding ones self dangerously.
In 1918 the Central Powers were down
and out because the Blockade had pre-
vented them from getting food and raw
materials to continue successful prosecu-
ton of the war. Hence the break in the
morale of the home front which brought
the collapse of the battle fronts.
In 1943 the hardships imposed on the
peoples of Germany and Japan are not
much greater than those suffered by the
people of Great Britain. And in the
matter of raw materials for carrying on
the battle on all fronts it appears the
Nazis and the Japs are about as well off
as ourselves. The blockade of Europe
has had only insignificant effects on the
Reich while the operations of our sub
marines in the West Pacific. though they
have seriously damaged the japanese
merchant marine, have not been able to
cut off the line of supply between the
very rich Netherlands Indies and Japan
itself.
There is every reason to hold the
utmost confidence that VIC will win the
war. But the situation may be reversed
If we become ovcrconfdent and consider
that the enemy is on the run because he
has lost the second battle of Russia and
because Marshal Rommels forces have
been chased from Egypt into Tunisia.
Must Effectuate Plans.
The decisions reached at Casablanca
by President Roosevelt. Prime Minister
Churchill and their military advisers now
must be put into practice. Since We have
been told that there will be an Allied
offensive in l943 there can be no doubt
that something will be done this year
with the view of cracking the Naz. walls
In Europe so we can gain a toehold
which might be used for an invasion OF
the Reich later.
However, the foremost question being
raised by many military observers is
whether we are going to try to lift the
fish out of the water by a sudden Jerk or
whether we shall adopt the safer-and
some say surer-manner OF tlr.rg him
first.
In other words, will We attempt to rush
the enemy by frontal attack against
western or southern Europe or will we
take the longer and safer road from the
Middle East to reach the Balkans and
the Danube?
ftuSu Optl dtIDllS DA way VA any
point from Norway to the Spanish Dor
der require landings under fire of the
guns of Nazi Notifications and Of air
planes based on hundreds of we'll
organized fields
The lines Of communication in western
Europe are excellent Beside railways
and highways which permit concen-
tration Of Na2l forces at any threatened
point within a short space of time there
are rivers and canals which form al
equally ideal way OF conveying troops
from one end Of western Europe to thu
other.
Once We obtain A toehold provided
We are willing to pay the price IN live
end material and have at our dlsposa
tire necessary shipping to convey Gu
mon to The selected point to be attacked
W shall te confronted with uumbe@ 0
forufc2t ons which have been construct
Cd en,- 100 - pro'ec. Inc last ditch
OF the NsZ.s, IT." Slcg-.ed Line.
Even though til population IN taoS
areas VIII receive us with shouts OF 10
they VII not be able 10 DO much to hCi
our forces. They are poorly armed. the
are starved and the Naz.S have show
Us how ruthless they can be with thei
disarmed subjected nations A FEY
bridges blown up here and there fe'
ammunition dumps blown up or rail
ways sabjtaged would .au for bloody re
prisals and would be Q. little importanc
to the Allied armies