Evening star., 1944-01-16

In Italy progress was slow but
steady, while Bulgaria in the Balkans
is in high state of CONSERVATION over
the devastating raids which have made
shambles of the capital, Sofia
Here in Washington, President Roose-
velt asked Congress for another $780,
0O0,000,O00 for prosecution of the war,
declaring that we must not expect vic
tory before the end of another 18
months, although he did not rule out
the possibility that one of the major
enemies might be eliminated before that
time.
Out in Cleveland, Secretary of the
Navy Knox declared that the Nation
must not permit wishful thinking to
nurture any hope that the war will end
soon. "A quick ending of the war is un-
likely and the German home front offers
no likelihood of collapse" he stated,
while the war against Japan will take
time and be costly, in his opinion.
HaIsey Optimistic.
Admiral Halsey, hard-bitten COM
mander of the Southwest Pacific, is
little more optimistic, declaring that the
japanese fleet and air force have been
badly crippled and that I'VE will keep
on pressing and hitting him until Toxic
is occupied" His belief of declining
Japanese strength is echoed by Premier
TOTO, who warned Japan over the Toxic
radio that speedy increase in aircraft
production is essential to meet a war sit
uation which is extremely fierce at pres
ent." TOTO was further quoted as de-
claring that the real trouble in Japan
now is lack of fighting spirit.
Admiral Halsey was particularly blunt
In commenting on japanese propaganda
statements of a grand offensive by ia
pan, which Toxic claimed was under
way. There are no greater liars in his
tory than the Japs," he said, and insofar
AS their claims of ma jestically defending
all of their bases are concerned, the ad-
miral dismissed that statement by say
ing, They certainly smell when they are
majestically defending. too"
In Berlin war Office spokesman told
correspondents that the outcome of the
war will hinge on the battles now being
4OttSllb oIl biiC IouoSldIl 1lOlll, WIelt LIE
Feds have thrown in men and material
in quantities which will amaze the world
when the facts become known.
Russia Reveals Demands.
Russia. incidentally, has let it be known
that her requirements for peace will
include all that portion of Poland which
Les on the Russian side of the Curzon
line of 1919 which ran roughly from
the southeastern tip of Lithuania to
point on the Czechoslovakia border
which would be on a straight line from
the starting point to the junction of
Czechoslovakia, Rumania and Hungary
The Curzon line was meandering line
but approximated the foregoing.
There were Indications that the Polish
government in exile in London might
be able to reach an agreement with
Russia over the border and the good
Offices of the United States and Britain
have been asked to bring Poland and
Russia together.
DNB, the official German news agency
announced last week that Count Gale
azzo Ciano, son-in-law of former Pre-
mier Mussolini had been executed for
voting to GUST II Duce as dictator. Shot
with Ciano were Marshal de Bono, who
led the expedition into Ethiopia, and
several other leaders.
Official figures revealed in Washing
ton gave American casualties to date as
139 900, of which 1O5,229 were in the
Army OF this number $4,000 were
killed, the Army deaths amounting to
1881. Out of the $4,000 or more re-
ported missing in all branches of the
service, large proportion are believed
also to have lost their lives.