STRATEGY: The Caribbean

As The Netherlands and France went down before the bombs and tank treads of Adolf Hitler’s army, many a U. S. citizen realized for the first time that Dutch and French possessions in the Caribbean were strategic outposts of the U. S. defenses (see map supplement opposite p. 32). This week a Gallup poll showed that the average citizen had not only appraised the importance of the Caribbean, but had made up his mind what to do about it.

The poll question was: “If Germany defeats England, should the U. S. take immediate possession of the English, French and Dutch territories in the area of the Panama Canal?” The answers: Yes: 87%; No: 13%.

Most answerers were not much concerned about the consequences. Only 4% qualified their answer. Principal qualifications : the plan for taking possession should i) not involve war; 2) should be agreeable to the people of the territories involved; 3) should have the support of other American nations.