Evening star., 1944-02-22

ers and bombers, judged by every
possible test, already far exceeds
Russian production is about equal
to ours and American production
alone is double or treble German
THE air power of Japan also is
being overmatched and their pro-
duction is incomparably small COM
pared with that of the great powers
Japan has assailed.
This air power was the weapon
with which both marauding states
selected as their main tool of con-
quest.
There is strange, stern justice
in the long swing of events"
Forces Well Matched.
Mr.. Churchill said that on the
italian front German reaction to
the Allied landing had been "re-
markable" and Hitler evidently has
decided to defend Rome with the
same obstinacy as Stalingrad."
THE forces in the bridgehead are
he continued.
I'VE are definitely stronger in
artillery and arynor and when the
weather is favorable our air power
plays an immense part.
Gen. Alexander, who has seen
more fighting against the Germans
than any living British commander,
says the bitterness and flerceness
of the fighting now going on at the
bridgehead and on the Casino front
surpass all his previous experience.
Our leaders are confident of final
success and the troops are in the
highest spirits-spirits Of offensive
vigor."
Cites Situation Last Year.
The House cheered as Mr.
Churchill said that this time last
year he was deeply anxious about
the situation in Tunisia, where We
had just sustained an unpleasant
check at Kasserine Pass - but I
placed my confidence then in Gen.
and in the British,
French and American troops who
were engaged in battle, and that is
how I feel about it nsw."
Dealing with the various guerrilla
elements fighting in Greece and
Yugoslavia, Mr. Churchill said:
We should judge all parties and
factions dispassionately by the test
OF their readiness and ability to
fight the Germans and thus tighten
the burdens on the Allied troops
This is no time for theological
preferences on one side or the other
and certainly the government has
not INDUCED themselves in this way
at ALL"
Mr.. Churchill told Commons near
ly 100 Italian ships are operating
in the Mediterranean and that Ital-
ian troops and airmen are fighting
alongside the Allies and rendering
great service behind the lines.
Italian Problem Delayed.
OF the Italian COVE nment squab-
BILE he said he was not yet convinced
that any other government could
be formed which would command
the same obedience from the people,
but when Rome falls the whole
Italian situation will be reviewed.
l should be sorry to see an unset
Ting change made at a time when
the battle ip its climax is swaying
to and fro.
We shall see much more clearly
how to proceed and have much more
varied resources at our disposal if
and when We are in possession of
the capital city.
What We have agreed with the
United States Government is to win
the battle for Rome and take a new
view when We are there
Describing Marshal Tito's force
as the only group in Yugoslavia who
are doing any effective fighting
against the Germans. he said Tito
and 1t, Col. Deakins. who para
chuted to Yugoslavia as a British
representative. both were wounded
by the same bomb.
Sad Case Of Greece.
The saddest case of all the dis
eases Of defeat Is Greece" Mr..
Churchill said.
1T is painful to see the confusion
and internecine strife which has
broken out there and which is to
the advantage of the German in
vader, who watches with contemptu-
Gus complacency Greek killing Greek
with ammunition sent them to kill
Germans
In closing Mr.. Churchill asserted ::
One thing We agreed at Teheran
to which We all are bound in a
solemn pact is to fall on and smite
the Hun by land. sea and air with
all the strength that is in us In the
coming spring and summer.
The task is heavy, the toll is long
and the trail will be severe.
Let us all try to do our best, to
do our duty.
Victory may not be so far awav
and will certainly not be denied us. y