Evening star., 1939-12-17
Germany Offers Italy Empire
In Africa to Remain Neutral
Duce's Warning to Moscow Is. Viewed Chiefly as
Maneuver to Get Reich to Promise Loot
if Italy Doesn't Fight
By Constantine Brown.

Mussolini will stay out Of the conflict
which for the time being is not yet q
military conflict
But in the last few weeks under the
pressure of the more impatient Fascists,
II Duce wanted to get something in black
and white from Berlin as to what Italy
would gain from the present warfare
should conditions change by the ex-
haustion of the economic and financial
forces Of the allies. Absurd as it may
seem to us over here there are many In
Germany and in Italy who are of the
opinion that the Reich can stand the
economic and financial strain better than
the French and the British The Ger
mans are convinced that, while there is
bound to be fighting in this war, the
fighting will occur in regions outside
Western Europe, and in those regions
they will have the upper hand. thanks
to the fact that they can move more
easily than the French and British, who
must send their troops to Turkey or Ru-
mania by water In such an eventuality
of a war in the Levaut-Italy would
have little If any role to play. The
agreement with Germany, which is the ,
foundation of the axis, provides for
Italy to obtain parts of North Africa.
Bessarabia Not on the Danube.
Mussolini has warned Russia against
getting down to the Danube-and has
warned Russia alone against such tres
passing. But the Italian government
Il -, %an
ernment that Bessarabia was not on the
Danube; hence whatever the Russians
may do in that part of Rumania il not
Italy's business.
AS the statement of II Duce was read
at first it appeared that since he would
not permit Russia to cross the Danube
by implication this posting of the Danu-
bian Valley must apply to any other ma
ton.
This Interpretation was found TO be
wrong only "a hours after II Duce's
speech. Italy. it was explained, opposes
Communism in her neighborhood. But
1t is more than probable that the attack
against Bessarabia will develop into an
attack against the whole Kingdom of
ton Of Russo-German forces through
Bulgaria, against Constantinople and
further east.
Nonetheless. the warning issued by
Mussolini had its desired effect 1t post
poned for short time-like Mr.. Roose-
velt's appeal on behalf of Finland
Russias impending attack against
Carols Kingdom. 1t also brought the
German diplomats to discussion with
the Italians on phase of their UNDER
standing which had been neglected here
tofore: What will Italy get in the
event that her military assistance in the
west does not become necessary? Con-
versations are proceeding at the present
time between Baron Attolico, Italy's Am
bassador to Berlin, and the German
government.
While it is premature to say what these
conversations will yield, it appears from
certain quarters that the Germans
intend to be liberal with their ally at
the expense of Great Britain and France.
This prospect is predicated on the fact
that the German general staff, while
not expecting to get the Russians and the
Italians to cooperate in a war, side by
side, believe that Italian support might
become necessary earlier than was orig
inally anticipated.
Germans Would Strike at Dardanelles.
The German plan of campaign, unless
upset by some unexpected allied move,
is to get to the Dardaneiles. Once there,
establish hoe cip
and Russian submarines and prevent
communication between France and Gen.
Weygand's army in Syria. This army Ii.
reported to number some 100000 men
and has been formed to meet German
Russian attack against Turkey. The
army is in splendid shape and led by
Frances foremost general Field Marshal
Foch's former right-hand man. But
brilliant as its leader may be and excel
lent as the troops may be, there always
is handicap for an army in operating
far from its base and compelled to rely
on sea transport for heavy war materiel
and requirements.
If and when that army is put out Of
commission, the Germans believe that
they can advance through Syria to Pal
estine and finally to the Suez Canal. In
view of the difficulties such q scheme
presents, because of Britain,s and
Frances naval supremacy In the Medi-
terranean, SO long as Italy is neutral.
the Germans are holding before Musso-
lini's eyes tempting carrot-Egypt.
If the reports which are at hand at
the present time are correct, the current
conversations between Italy and Ger
many are turning around this important
point. The defeat of Britain and France
will give Italy complete African empire
beginning at the Suez Canal and ending
the imaginations of the dictators only
know where-possibly Algeria or Moroc-
co. The Germans refer already to Mus
solini as Benito Africanus, and hope to
overcome II Duce's objections to Russia's
establishing herself on the Bosphorus
by the mirage of an italian empire a Il
did not exist even in the days Of the
great ecipio Africanus.