Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-11-22
NEWS
BEHIND
THE News
BY Paul
tVIQtlOls

w Hitler said the United
States was too far away but he
could lay his hands on some one
near and make them suffer for
United Nations deeds against
him. He could only have meant
England, because he has not
only let 60 of the tail OF the
Russian bear but is running for
dear life with his hands fully
occupied.
This threat lent superficial
credence TO a suspicion that has
become worldwide, that der
fuehrcr is preparing last gasp
do-or-die invasion of Britain,
based on the use of gas.
Mr.. Churchill, in his last
speech. seemed 10 warn his
people TO be alert for some such
attack.
LIVERY ONE here hopes Hit
IL Ter tries il. the sooner the
better. 1t would bring an
abrupt termination of the war.
The threat of gas does not
have the horrors for military
men that have been transmitted
10 the public by the adventure
magazines. Despite all the iso-
| lated instances discussed back
and forth, il probably has not
been used in this war except on
one occasion by the Japs In
China.
Smoke shells and bombs have
been used but not gas. Our en-
cmleS have not avoided il for
! humane reasons. but because a,
! the physical limitations on its !
use lbulkinesS. weather. pre-
vent 1t from bringing decisive -
results Thousands of plane
would be necessary TO wipe QUIZ
a small city under perfect con- +"
ditlonS.
Fer any invasion Of England,
Hitler must have an air force
capable of meeting and beat
ing what we have there He
cannot muster such force. so
he mot successfully invade,
with or without gas.
I LIE HAS a new long range
II rocket gun which Is sup
| posed 10 be able 10 shoot a gas
shell as well as an explosive.
This is probably the real basis
Of his threat. With il he can
( do a little damage especially
TO civilians. but accomplish no
| military objective wira ever
The gun is not even accurate
AZ close range
From tho continent nc Will
+ faV6 10 shoot il 80 or 40 miles
or more. so IT'S effect VIII be
about as small as blind night
bombing,
Just remember this in any
( talk about gas: The way II can
be most effectively used is by
spray or bomb from airplanes.
We have both the planes and
! the gas 10 make such use ex-
tremely practicable If any one
opens up the subject. The
chance that IL viii be used is
therefore more remote than
ever before
TRUTH Of the European Sit
uation is that we are facing
a difficult military problem in
penetrating IIitler's continental
/ fortress. as we are on the wrong
side OF the Alps IN Italy. IL
Hitler invadeS he viii make the
! D u G Tor US on our own
! ground. We cali save both
I planes and pilots in this wav.
To invade. therefore. Hill.
would have 10 reach a point Or
desperation that would first re-
Ileve him Of his reason. He was
probably Just trying 10 scare
he British into holding the
largest possible force there and
thus keep il away from SOUTH
ern Europe
no NOT expect Gen MacAr-
tOuf men 10 clean out
Bougalnville in few DAYS as
has yoccn S0ggesre7 There are
$1,000 JapS there and on one
adjoining island which may
wean long, hard and indecisive
fighting.
The secret of Rahauls
strength is that il has two jap
airficldS, and three more nearby.
Nevertheless il became insecure
for Jap ships a few days back
and thereby lost its usefulness
as the center of Jap south Pa
cific strength.
The unbelievable tolls of
japanese aircraft we have been
taking is due TO the still fragile
nature of the Jap ships. They
have not been able TO keep pace
with the Improvements in our
planes.
Distributed by King Features synd. Inc.
Reproduction In whole or in part
strictly prohibited.
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