Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-05-28
HAsTY PROMISES

I HASTY PROMISES
Mr.. Wallace can scarcely add
more promises 10 those already
given and that the circumstances
40f our strategy in Europe have
made impossible OF fulfllment
and. for the present, still make
impossible.
In the excitement OF the early
days OF the war promises were
made that could not be kept with
the best of will and intentions.
Promises 10 Gen. Macarthur in
Manila of reinforcements that did
not come.
Promises 10 China OF what we
were going 10 do In the way OF
aid that in the existent military
situation - geographical barriers
and particularly our Europe First
policy and strategy decided upon
in Washington--had little or no
prospect of being fulfilled within
the expected time.
HELD BACK IN ITALY
The campaign in north Africa
was longer than laid down in the
plans. The invasion OF the CONT
nent through the mountainous
terrain OF southern Italy has been
Disappointing in time taken ano
distance covered.
From Salerr- early in Septem-
Der to Casino and Anzio. scarcely
more than 100 miles, has taken
almost nine months OF heroic
| fighting at the cost OF around
| 100. 900 casualties for the Allies.
The purpose and objective OF
that invasion in that region. than
which there is none more difficult
outside OF Switzerland. can be
understood only in connection
with the general strategical situa-
ton in Europe.
Many Nazi divisions were held
and are being held there but at
least two or three times the num-
Der Of American and British forces
are engaged in the task Of holding
and defeating them. There was
miScalculation and over optimism.
In the east the Red armies have
slowed up, scarcely moved in
some weeks. On the Baltic the
German lines still are close 10
Leningrad. In the Soviet Russian
central front. the Germans have
not yet been pushed many miles
west OF Smolensk.
The latest Moscow communi-
ques speak of 'repelling" the
enemy. implying that the Ger
| mans have gone over 10 attack
That seems true on the lower
DnieSter.
REDS NEED A REST
After their long and hard
winter offensive, the Red army
is weary and needs rest. New
equipment munitions, supplies,
must be brought up for the Red
summer offensive. That. there is
reason TO believe, will start in
June when the ground will have
dried out.
The terrain through which the
Reds must fight next is full of
swamps, lakes and is miry and
soft where armies can bog down.
as ! know from experience in
1914-1915 when / was there as
war correspondent with Hinden-
burg and Mackensen.
Stain is waiting for the Anglo
American invasion in the west
and Eisenhower may be waiting
for the Red marshal in the east
TO be ready. Both may be wait
ing for the right weather.
In short. the war In Europe has
delayed. still is delaying and PROM
Uses TO delay some more the all
out war in the Pacific against
Japan.
No doubt, Mr.. Wallace will
endeavor to explain all that to
the Chinese Generalissimo Chang
Kai-shek.
There is strong pressure on
the "Gessimo," as he is called
for short, that China threw
in her lot and he with ii, to "all
Asia for the Asiatics."
The most frightful aerial bonn
bardment day after day and night
after night for weeks and months
and its paralyzing effect on Hit
ler's war potential OF vast indus
trial destruction. has not come up
TO expectations of those who be-
lieved the bomber, when numbered
by thousands, could alone bring
Germany to her knees. -