OCR Text |
Show WASHINGTON NEiWS ' : FROM OUR CONGRESSMAN W. K. GRANGER The surrender of Italy has reduced re-duced by approximately 1,500,000 men the numerical strength of the axis forces. Thus, the present line-up, as accurately as it can be estimated from information available in the United States, is allies 22,300,000 and the axis 15,-500,00. 15,-500,00. However, these figures do not include the Navies of the world, nor the fighting forces of China, since the forces of Generalissimo Gen-eralissimo Chiang-Kai-Shek are too poorly equipped to be called a modern army, nor yet the 2,-000,000 2,-000,000 Indian soldiers since they are not apt to take part unless their country is invaded. The 1,500,000 Italian soldiers withdrawn from the German forces will not greatly effect the axis strength because the Germans Ger-mans have always held the Italian soldier in contempt and have seldom sel-dom given him military assignments assign-ments of any great importance. At the present time it is estimated esti-mated that the allies have: Russians, 12,000,000; United States, 7,300,000; and Britain 3,-000,000. 3,-000,000. While the axis have: Germany, 8,500,000; satellites, 4,000,000; and Japan 3,000,000. It must be remembered that not all of Russia's tremendous army is in the combat area, since it is estimated that some 2,000,000 men are in Siberia to meet an attack by Japan. Likewise, the British have had to hold many of their troops in Britain ready to strike at the time of the European Euro-pean invasion. With our present strength at 7,300,000 we must remember re-member the bulk of this army is still in training, and comparatively compara-tively few are in the combat zones as yet. Even though Germany has suffered suf-fered tremendous losses in Russia, Rus-sia, it is estimated that she has a well-trained and well-equipped army of 8,500,000 and the majority major-ity are experienced warriors now. After years of preparation Japan, likewise, has a large fleet besides her estimated 3,000,000 trained and seasoned soldiers. While the Satellite nations of Rumania, Bulgaria, Bul-garia, Hungary and Finland are believed to have a total of 4,-000,000 4,-000,000 men, yet we already know that their support is weakening. Civilians are expected to get only slightly smaller rations of the important foods this year than they did last, and there" is every indication that there will be enough food for everybody if the national supply is evenly distributed. distrib-uted. In 1942 the American public consumed an average of 40 pounds per person of eggs while in 1943, at the present rate of consumption, consump-tion, we will probably consume 43 pounds per person. With beef rationing, our consumption fell from 68 M pounds per person in 1942 to 58 pounds anticipated this year. But in 1942 the average aver-age American consumed 22 pounds of chicken and it appears that we will consume 29 pounds this year. Indications are that each American Ameri-can will consume 12 pounds less sugar; 6 pounds less canned fruit; 7 pounds less canned vegetables; and 3 pounds less butter this year than last year. |