Good News for Civilians

War Mobilizer James Francis Byrnes, one of the few men in history who has held a high post in all three branches of the U.S. Government, resigned this week. He had said last summer that he would quit on V-E day. In his letter of resignation to Franklin Roosevelt he wrote: "I think V-E day is not far distant." (He will be succeeded by Loan Administrator Fred Vinson.)

But Jimmy Byrnes had more news than his own resignation. Just two days before, he had issued his second annual report, which contained some real news for civilians.

The collapse of Germany, said Byrnes,...