Evening star., 1943-05-13

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phasis in the David Lawrence.
use of America S vast quantities of
war materials needs urgent settle
ment. What kind of war shall
we fight-a long, slow war with the
utmost conservation of human life
or one with risks and perhaps heavy
casualties for a short interval and a
striking power on the continent Of
Europe that will enable use to get
the war over within the quickest
possible time?
These questions are related to
emphasis. They are related to
whether we go all-out in Europe
now and at the same time give the
Pacific war some increase in fight
ing power or whether we concede
that the war in Europe must 90
so slowly and hence we can afford
to strike hard in the Far East
against Japan. For if Japan is per-
mitted to consolidate her gains, dis
lodging her may take four to seven
years.
More Planes for Pacific.
What the average American would
like, on the other hand, is a simul-
taneous drive both in the Pacific
and in Europe-the taking of a
vigorous offensive in both theaters
OF war instead of an acceptance of
the thesis hitherto expressed that
we must wait on the defeat Of Hit
Ter before tackling Japan in earnest.
But. 1t will be said, there is not
enough war production to do both
Jobs at the same time. Yet the
President has announced that we
now are producing more pounds of
aircraft than all other countries in
the world combined. Our produc-
ton is higher at this moment and
Is on the road to higher goals than
we have ever thought possible In
der these circumstances the Amer
lean people are anxious to see more
and more Of that air power used In
the Pacific as well as In Europe.
America also wants more ships
made available for use In the Pacific
to enable Our troops and our air
forces to capture the needed bases
for further conquest.
To date we have actually taken
only a few islands in the Solomons
area and a part Of New Guinea from
the Japs. This is a humiliating
position for the most powerful
nation IN the world today.
To get at Japan we must, rearm
China and capture air bases from
which to bomb Japan and her lines
OF communication to the South
Pacific islands she has conquered.
We must, by air power. begin to
harass japanese lines to the Philip
pines and to protect our naval
forces in their operations closer and
closer to Japan.
Must Reopen Burma Road.
But the key to this kind of an
operation lies in the Bay of Bengal.
1t lies in reopening the Burma Road.
for, while air transports are supply
Ing China and our Air Forces there.
the amount supplied is too little to
prepare the Chinese or American
commands for a grand scale air
offensive.
The campaign in Burma has been
q disappointment. The British
recognize this. Now that the Medi-
terranean has been reopened. traffic
toward India and the Bay Of Bengal
can Increase materially. The pres
ence OF miltary personnel In the
British visiting mission who have
been concerned with developments
In the Burma area is being COM
mented on as indicating that the
Asiatic theater will come in for
considerable attention.
The President and the Prime
Minister represent essentially the
civilian side. They must weigh
what sacrifice ir manpower and
supplies the civilian population must
make. Mr., Churchill particularly
must consider what a diversion of
shipping can mean to the imports
OF Britain and to the already de-
pleted trade OF the British Isles.
These are serious subjects which
are fully recognized here as de-
serving the greatest consideration.
Angered Directed at Japs.
The deeper question, however, Is
related to the civilian morale.
America is angry and bitter about
the execution of American flyers
by the japanese. Gen. MacArthul
cables that Americas flag has been
dragged in the dust In the Philip
pines and must be redeemed.
Success in Tunisia Is a milestone,
but the United Nations, after more
than three years and a half of war
have not landed on the Continent
OF Europe with big invasion force.
Japan still has the advantage. These
are the challenging problems which
1t is hoped the Churchill Roosevelt
conference will solve.
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