EXPERTS AT ODDS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 25, 24 October 1942, Page 8

EXPERTS AT ODDS

Public’s Intervention NEW YORK, October 22. “Civilian officials and the lay public eannot confidently extend the conduct war to military men,” declares Walter Lippmann. of the New York “Her-ald-Tribune.” ’ “Military men are unable to agree among themselves.Oii the most vital tactical, and strategical problems, and therefore decisions must be reached toy laymen of trained judgment. "The rivalry between soldiers, sailors and airmen in both the United States and Britain is perhaps the outstanding obstacle to effective unity of command in-the war theatres and to healthy relations between the Allies. This un-> resolved struggle for control of' operations, allocation of equipment, and power of command is the source of our most serious weakness. ■ 1 • “The apple of discord is air power. The'advent of • the' aeroplane obliterated the old clear boundary lines between generals and admirals, resulting in confusibn which is greater for England and America than for land Powers like Germany/ Russia and China. Only Japan ‘has the same problem. The skill of' the Japanese High Command in combining land, air and naval power is clearly, one of the reasons for their spectacular 'successes. Advocates of some extreme air power have' harmed their cause iby partisan violence and wild and unsubstantiated promise's;of a quick and easy way to win the war, but we must not be,put 1 off. by a bad statement'of a good, case in our search for the right'use of air power in combined operations which is crucial in the Anglo-American conduct' of . the war.” ' .’.