Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 30, 1941.
Long War Is Opinion Held By Professor
BY HERB STEINBACH
That World war II will be a long, drawn out affair, and not won overnight, either with or without the aid of the United States, is the prediction of Dr. Alfred H. Meyer, associate professor of geography and geology at Valparaiso university.
Dr. Meyer addressed Kiwanis Wednesday noon at their Hotel Lembke luncheon. He was introduced by Dr. F.R. Elliott, program chairman.
The last World war was not lost by Germany on the battle field, the speaker recalled, but because of economic strangulation. Since the rise of Hitler, Germany has taken steps to prevent such a repetition.
Today England is being strangled economically by Germany, and the question is how long the British can hold out.
The unjustified optimistic talk of an early English victory in the press and on the street corner, is starling to the speaker.
Nazi Position Different
Dr. Meyer said it is a mere illusion that the war will be won shortly by invasion of either England or Germany, for the war will not be won that way. It will be a long struggleーunless something unforeseen, such as internal revolution, occurs.
Germany in 1941 is in a different position than the Germany of 1914. Before the last year for four or five years Germany had hoarded supplies. They stated as early as 1909 or 1910. But today their military control is larger, for Hitler holds sway over entire Europe, with the exception of Greece. Thus Germany doesn’t have to worry about an invasion. This does not include invasion by air, which would not win the war anyway, according to the speaker.
Added to this absence of fear of invasion is the economic security with which Hitler has surrounded himself. Germany made alliances and pacts with the larger European countries, and has taken over the other smaller counties one by one.
Russia “Forced”
Germany forced Russia into an economic pact, Dr. Meyer observed. Had Stalin refused Hitler’s demands Russia would have had to withstand the invasion of a major army, with which she could not cope.
By means of these alliances and domination by force Germany now has access to the two largest supplies of iron ore (in Alsace-Lorraine and in Sweden) and also controls ample petroleum in Rumania and Russia. Russia owns 65 to 70 percent of the world’s manganese, another German asset.
In the last year England had complete control of the ore and Rumanian oil was in British control until Rumania yielded to Hitler’s pressure.
Another important item outlined by the speaker is that England is but 30 percent self-sufficient for its food supply, while in normal times Germany is 87 percent self-sufficient.
Introduce Members
With Russia possessing 45 to 50 percent of the world’s rye, and 25 to 30 percent of the wheat, Germany’s access to these staples is ample. Added to this Germany, by holding control over Europe, does not have to import its necessary foodstuffs or materials by water.
Prior to the address Robert Lanham, Kenneth Caryer and William Forney were inducted into membership. They were sponsored respectively by Clarence Schneider, Walter Crisman and Bruce Zimmerman. The charge was given by Prof. C.F. Ziebarth, president.
The club enjoyed a 100 percent attendance, as the month’s attendance drive came to an end. Eleven new members were secured during the campaign, raising the total membership to 42. The winning team during the contest was headed by E.S. McCray. The losers were in charge of W.A. McCallum. The winning “blues” received a total of 483 points, and losing “reds” 398.
