WAR’S BALANCE-SHEET

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 9 October 1942, Page 5

WAR’S BALANCE-SHEET

GROUNDS FOR HOPE BAD PERIODS WEATHERED (Rec. 11.45 a.m.) New York, Oct. 7. Drawing up a balance-sheet of the war the New York Times” correspondent. Hanson Baldwin, says the world enters the fourth winter conflict with a war of lightning conquest replaced by a war of attrition a factor which will probably be of very great advantage to the United Nations, whose strength is mounting, whereas the enemy’s has probably reached and even passed its peak. Months, perhaps years, of peril remain. i but we have weathered a large part of [the most acute danger period in this ! year of crisis and the worst has not I happened. Russia fights strongly, the I United Nations have established qualitative and are gaining quantitative air superiority, the submarine menace it being slowly met, Japan’s march of conquest has been stemmed, neither India nor Siberia have been’ invaded, and China is still unconquered. Admittedly the strategic situation is subject to sudden change, but the picture looks brighter than most observers hoped three months ago. The Allied grip on the Solomons is again challenged and the campaign in these exotic and wild islands has rapidly become one of attrition with the problems of supply and sea control looming large. The rapid and unexplained Japanese retreat in New Guinea relieved Port Moresby, but the situation j.n the South Pacific i b still in delicate i balance. The balance-sheet shows many debits ;as well as credits. The enemy has won .great victories maybe pyrrhic ones, for neither Germany nor Japan is able to force a decision.- P A