U.S. OFFENSIVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 43, 20 February 1942, Page 6

U.S. OFFENSIVE

AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

BUILDING OF GREAT STRIKING POWER

' ' ' LONDON, February 19. An assurance that the United States would seize every opportunity for offensive action was given today by Mr. H. L. Stimson. Secre-

tary for, War. The, United States,

he,said, was building up powerful air and ground forces of the

greatest striking power.

The^ High Command, said Mr. Stimson, well knew the value of offensive strategy. The War - Department had organised a'Filipino infantry battalion in the United States army, arid was considering 'the organisation of a simi-lar-battalion •composed of citizen's of the. united'nations in the United States.

"We must; 'be prepared for attacks not ■only on' Aruba," he said, "but all along the 'coastline." ' ' Mr; Stinisori f evealed that' voluntary enlistment for-the United States army during January set up an all-time high record of 90,241—m0re than double the figure' for any -month before the war and more than double the - - highest monthly enlistment for' the first World War, in 'May, 1917. >

He declared that the United States would undertake vigorous offensive activities ;as quickly ■as possible. "We shall seize • every opportunity for a counter-offensive, arid try to realise on every- opportunity- for surprise ■ that has any chance of success," he said. "We must mass our-fprces in offensive action and carry the. war s to the enemy. We are :in the front line ourselves. We cannot buy our way out of this war. We cannot produce "our way, out. We can only fight our way out." •