ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON THE ENEMY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 295, 10 September 1941, Page 6

ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON THE ENEMY

Although the review of economic warfare, in the form of an official wireless message published on the occasion of the second wai anniversary, gives cause for steady optimism, the general tone of the statement may be taken as a warning not to expect too much too 'quickly from the Allied blockade. Germany s Russian campaign is involving immense wastage of her war material, and in addition has closed the largest blockade gap. The outbreak of Russo-German hostilities, therefore, represents a great economic advantage to the Allies. On the other hand, the onslaught against the Soviet Republics is being made partly with the object of gaining much economic booty, which could recompense Germany for the cost of winning it. The defence of that treasure is taxing Russian material resources and may become a considerable responsibility of Britain and the United States. Thus the advantage gained by the spread.of hostilities and the closing of a gap has its price in addition to its inherent dangcis. The economic pressure on Germany takes. two main foi ms restriction of raw materials of war, and restriction of foodstuffs. It is generally agreed that the enemy, as a result of his guns-befoie-butter policy and his European conquests, cannot be speedily exhausted of armaments. Foodstuffs are, potentially, Hitler’s vital weakness, for during the preparation years he placed food second, and today he is saddled with the double task of sustaining his own people and issuing rations to occupied European communities which are despoiled and disorganized. The Allies arc working, first, to prolong and intensify this state of things, and, secondly,, to prey on the moral fibre of the enemy by demonstrating that he is incapable of turning the tables on those who oppose him. Inexorable though it may be, the process of blockade is slow. The task which gives scope, for more speedy action is that of preserving and improving the Allied supply S y St e m —of winning the Atlantic battle and confronting Germany with the disheartening knowledge that she cannot counter-blockade Britain The Navy and Allied mercantile marines are in the forefront of this endeavour. Behind them is the Anglo-American Food Committee in Washington, which, according to the latest estimates, will control the production purchase and supply to the Allies of something like £100,000,000 worth of goods in the next ,12 months.