Evening star., 1939-10-08

1tOAnc. NOW WICy AAuSt AkLlt III dA car"
nestness.
The Germans have been reinforcing
their army on the western front. The
concentration was finished on September
%. The heavy artillery and the new de-
vices, which were not used in Poland
because 1t was not necessary to do so, are
behind the westwall lines.
The details Of the Russo German
agreement are coming out piecemeal. In
effect, the so-called non-aggression pact,
which later became an association for
the division of Poland. today appears in
the eyes of an amazed world as nothing
but a definite military alliance between
the two foremost powers of Europe. Rus
sia has pledged herself to assist Germany
to down Britain and France, after having
co-operated with the diplomats of the
Reich In an endeavor to establish die
tated peace in Europe. Russian forces
are being held in readiness in Poland to
rush to the assistance of their German
allies In case of need. Russian aviation
is expected to fill the gaps which will
necessarily be created In the ranks Of
the German flying corps, when mass at
tacks against France and Great Britain
are made in waves hitherto unimagined
by fiction writer's.
Russia Never Useful Ally.
Russia has never been a useful allv in
time OF war. During the World War, after
having saved Paris by reckless attack
on East Prussia, the Russian army be.
came more of liability than an asset to
the allies. The graft and corruption
which existed among the officers of the
high command were such that the allies
simply threw up their hands in despair
and did not know what to do. 1t was i'm
possible to oust the grafters because they
were all close to the Car, and the repre-
sentatives of the British and the French
governments did not know how they
could talk bluntly to the unapproachable
head Of the Russian government and tell
him that unless things changed the war
would be lost.
Nobody denied the fighting qualities of
the Russian peasant soldier, however, nor
the possibilities of using advantageously
the enormous resources of the huge en-
pire. All Russia lacked to become a
serious opponent in the last war was Or
ganization and honesty of administra-
ton.
1t is dificult to say now how much bet
ter organized Soviet Russia is and
whether graft has been completely eradi-
Gated despite the many purges. But it
can be said that the Germans are
handling their allies in manner differ
ent from that of the British and the
French. They did good deal with the
lax and sleepy Austrian empire in 1914
and 1915. They are likely to put Rus
sian production on a really effective
basis and that is the most that Germany
wants from her new ally.
Italy's Position to Undergo Change.
The position of Italy is also likely to
undergo radical change in the next
weeks to come. Italy is being kept as a
special third reserve by the Reich. Her
neutrality, until now, has been beneficial
to the Germans because it prevented the
French and the British from attacking
the most vulnerable members of the tri-
partite combination. 1t prevented their
going to Poland's rescue through Yugo-
slavia, Rumania and possibly Hungary.
In the meantime, because of the indefi-
mite attitude of II Duce. the French are
compelled to keep an imposing army
some 100000 men-prepared for a pos
sible Italian attack both in Europe and
in Africa.
Italy hes heretofore followed her ira
ditional policy of waiting to see which
is the more likely to be the winning side
before throwing in her lot-with the
power, or groups of powers, which has
the better winning prospects.
Where the Germans are going to strike
nobody knows, of course. Whether they
will make bold attack against the
Maginot Line and try to conquer that
powerful line of defense depends nat
urally on whether or not the German
general staff believes that the sacrifice
of about 100000 men will bring them a
quick victory.
The possibility of Germany violating
the neutrality of Holland, Belgium and
Switzerland-for the time being consid-
cred an extremely poor risks a de-
batable question. It has the advantage
that France is not as well defended on
her Belgian border as she is on the
Rhine, but it also means an extension of
front which might in the end prove fatal
to the German armies.
Observers See Italians on March.
Military observers believe that after q
serious German attempt to win an initial
victory over the French. the Italian
armies will begin their march against
the same foe and France, having to cope
with war on two fronts, will not be able
to defend her powerful Notifications
against Germany so successfully as ap-
pears possible on paper
These are, of course, mere speculations
on the part of American and foreign
military observers who look at the situa-
tion as 1t presents itself today.
The positions Of the French and the
British seem difficult. Even In the event
Italy does not join in the free for all
fight, the two countries, counting q popu-
lation-without the colonies-of some
thing like 10000, 900 people >are now faced
with two empires with total population
Of approximately 27o, 900 900 people. Rus
sia has enough natural resources, If Wig
rously exploited, to enable Germany to
carry on war for an indefinite time.