Evening star., 1944-12-17
Longer War Involves
Many Difficulties
Commentator Sees Losses of Men
and Materiel in Delay
By ODen L. Scott

winter now has faded Instead, it has
become necessary to look forward to
what probably will be several more
months of war against Germany, as we'll
as against Japan.
Several factors have contributed to
this situation. The most important has
been the weather, which has aided the
Germans and seriously has handicapped
American forces. One other factor has
been the failure of the Russians to de-
velop a co-ordinated offensive from the
east timed with the American British
offensive from the west A third de-
laying factor has been provided by Brit
ish and Russian angling for political
position in Europe, thereby adding to
German hope that by prolonging the
war Germany might be able to make
deal with one side or the other
The fact that Germany has been en-
couraged to go on with the war despite
overwhelming odds against her has
very real meaning to every family in
this country
American losses in both theaters Of
war now approach 100000 in dead.
wounded. missing and prisoners, and
readily may pass 100000 before Ger
many is defeated After that there still
Will be Japanese war to win A longer
German war means shift of forces to
the Pacific will be delayed and probably
force that wsr over into 1916.
1t already has been decided to draft
men of 26 to 81. The Army is having
to send into battle boys of l8 who have
not had the year of training that had
been promised. Youth is priced by mill
tary commanders in making replace
ment for battle losses.
At the same time, dollar costs of the
war will move up to fantastic heights
These costs to date are above $3.50 600
100000 and will pass $500, ,00O, 900 900 In
the year ahead. This means the ma.
tional debt, before war ends, Is more
hkely to be above than below $500 900. =
600, 900, which will mean an annual cost
OF $4,000 100000 or more just to meet in
terest payments in postwar years.
Costs OF that kind spell high taxes for
long time to come. A longer war
means, too, that any relief from the
present wartime level of taxes will be
delayed The hope had been that in
come earned in 1916 might be given
some tax relief. A delay in ending the
war in Europe may mean that 1947
income will be the first to be freed of
the excess profits tax in the case of cor
poratlon income and of the low exemn-
t1ons and high surtaxes in the case Of
individual income.
30 long as there is war in Europe
there can be no increase in gasoline ra-
ions and little If any increase in other
ratlons. Manufacture of new automo-
plies Will be delayed further So will tn.
start OF new construction. Most of in
oustry will continue to be subject tn
'ieilC controls over use of materials and
OF labor Price control will be pro-
longeo, probably to mid-l946 at the
least. Wage controls will have to be
retained and salary controls will re-
main in effect for another Ia months
OF two wears,
A long war is going to add greatly tn
the problem of postwar care of vet.
Grams. 1t Will mean much larger post
war soldier bonus, much higher level
OF veterans costs to be borne by post
war taxes.
All OF the problems created by a longer
war, however, will not be domestic
problems. The whole world will find
that It's position has deteriorated as the
result OF a war that is prolonged.
There will be delay in reconstr,ct;on
OF something that might resemble a
normal economy in the nations of E,,-
rope. every month of delay, in turn.
aoos to the stresses and strains which
make revolutions and turmoil more
probable At the same time, a longer
war encourages the British and the
Russians to go ahead with fence build
ing and angling for position related
10 what those nations appear to be
convinced is q coming war.
Inc wartime maneuvers of Brits in
and Russia, in turn, tend to add to the
establishment of the American peonle
VINO are having to contribute the men
and materials to defeat both GERMANY
ana Japan. Out of disillusionment
could come very strong postwar trend
toward isolation and nationalism.
A longer war than expected is making
clear, too, that Mr.. Roosevelt Mr..
Churchill and Mr.. Stain are without
very clear idea of what they expect
to come out of this war. Their in
ability tc agree upon political obiec-
tlves and upon what kind of a future
Germany may expect contributes to
the German determination to resist to
= the last and to create as much turmoil
IN Europe as it is possible to create.
The cne hopeful possibility in the
war situation as it now is shaping I'm
is that President Roosevelt might de-
eide that, in view of the fact that
American military forces are the only
ones strong enough to bring about
decisive defeat of Germany and of
Japan, this country might be entitled
to speak little less humbly In ex-
pressing an opinion concerning the type
OF world it would like to see after the
war
AS matters stand the war and post
war outlook is not too encourasing
The longer the war lasts the less en-
couraging the outlook from both a
political and an economic point of view.
Shakespeare by the members, and Nuts
to Crack" by the company at large. At
the close of the program refreshments
were served. Impromptu speeches