The Wilmington morning star., 1945-02-05
Important Week

The coming week will be one of the most
important in the war
Weekend developments point that way
with the action divided under three headings.
First, the period begins with glorious de-
avenging American troops have smashed into
the heart of Manila. Formal fall of the CAPT.
tai of the Philippines appears imminent as
this is written. This means a tremendous
loss, not only from a material standpoint
but in all-important face to the Japanese. AS
Harold Streeter, Associated Press War Edi-
tor points out, the Luzon campaign is amaz-
ing for what might of been but wasn't There
still may be some bitter fights ahead, he added,
particularly in the mount aims but the time is
passed for any slugging match between large
armies in the one place such fight could
have been staged-the big central Luzon plain.
Why the Nipponese did not make stronger
to war in the Pacific, may not be known until
the conflict is over Anyway, it's early fall
to Americans may shorten the about cam
paign against them by many months. Manila
will, in all probability, become a great base
for the troops planes and ships needed to
strike the Japanese-held China coast for the
real battles ahead
Second, this week may bring forth the first
real pointers on how long the German death
struggle will be. All news from Europe is of
gains by the Allies on the Western Front and
the tremendous pressure of the Russians on
the east. Added to this is the record blasting
of Berlin, still the center of the Nazi war eff
fort
Third, as the clock toward victory in Eu-
rope is of gains by the Allies on the ETAO
rope is moved ahead, new decisions. both
military and economic, may be expected from
the Roosevelt Churchill and Stain talks At
this time there's nothing official from the
Big Three meeting on which to base expecta-
tons. Writing of the conference John M.
Hlghtower, of the Associated Press said
1t is known that Harry Hopkins and Sec
rotary of State Stettnius left italy several
days ago for unannounced destinations at the
conclusion of what Hopkins called an infor-
nation tour for the President preliminary to
his meeting with Churchill and Stain. Also
Hopkins told reporters in Europe that the
meeting would very likely be brief, which led
TO speculation that it would be over before
many days passed. Numerous European
sources have speculated that it already is 90.
ing on.
Inc swift pace of the war in Europe is
believed to have brought to the top of the
agenoa various military questions connected
with the cooperation of Russian and Anolo-
American forces inside Germany. assuming
prolonged resistance there. But the great de-
clslons, believed to foreshadow an unnrece.
oented new role of the United States in Fill
rope affairs, are expected to deal with long.
range international problems.
those who assume success for efforts of
the Big Three to assure future cooperation
predict that out of the talks will come ma
chlnery for Allied instead of lone-hand settle
iiieht Oh international European problems"
So, the week begins with new hone for
the United L lions on the main war and M.
litical fronts
vi the three, the political one is the most
important to the years to come Failure of tho
Dig lhfee to arrive at basis for cooperation
wou1o mean an unsuccessful conference and q
stumble In the efforts to prevent future wars