The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-28
Interpreting The War
Continued From Page One)

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own way. Moscow's pistol-point de-
mands on Rumania were timed to
compel German-Italian acquie-
sence as well as Rumanian accept
ance.
The last thing Germany wants is
a war in the Balkans from which
she draws heavily for food stocks
and oil. Italy still is the prisoner
Of the Mediterranean despite the
fall of continental France. H e r
whole attention must be devoted to
her own affairs there, as Ger
many's must be to the battle of
Britain.
That accounts for Berlin's atti-
tude of lack of interest in Russian
maneuvering. 1t explains, too, the
reported urgency of German and
Italian diplomatic pressure on Ru-
mania to accept Moscow's terms.
War in the Balkans, particularly
in Rumania, would gravely men
ace hopes of the Axis allies for a
swift conclusion to their fight with
Britain. If England can endure
Nazi massed air attacks or repeI
invasion for three months, h e r
chances Of turning the tables on
her foes would be vastly improved.
The arrival of winter, bringing in
clement fogs about her shores,
should bolster her chances of hold
ing out until spring.
Air Boost Seen
By that time, buttressed by her
own and French overseas resour-
ces and with those of the neu-
trail world to call upon so long as
the British navy holds the seas
British air power could be brought
close to German-Italian strength.
It is that moment to which Brit
aims war secretary, Anthony Eden,
must have been looking forward
in his forecast not only of success
full British defense, but of ultimate
British attack on her Axis foes.
Relative air equality with Ger
many, coupled with British sea-
power, would mean just that, but
it is conceivable only if Britain
can endure the months just ahead.
The crisis of the battle of Britain
must come within weeks. Germany
cannot risk delay.
Russia's move to dismember Ru-
mania has another disquieting i'm
plication for the Axis allies. 1t
means that Russia, obviously dis
turbed by the swift and stunning
Germany victory over France, has
set out to take advantage of the
continuing war pre-occupation OF
the Axis allies, and of the wide
dispersion of German air and ar
my might in conquered regions.
Russia Improves Hold
In the Baltic, Russia has already
strengthened her hold, tomorrow
she may turn on Finland, eve
Sweden, to establish herself more
firmly on that German flank with
its vitality necessary German ac-
cess to Swedish iron ore. In Ru-
mania she is moving to create no
less powerful a leverage with res
pect to German-Italian oil life
lines.
Moscow may be equipping her
self to dicker with the victor in
the continuing war, whether it be
the Axis allies or Britain. It is
noteworthy that there have been
intimations of British-R Russian un-
dercover exchanges since the fall
of France. That casts doubt on the
actual Axis reaction to Russia's
coup in Rumania.
This is true, at least: Should
Germany and Italy fail to crush
England before winter comes to
her aid, it could strongly influence
Russia's role. If Moscow foresaw
then a possibility Of ultimate Brit
ish victory, it might well lead to a
Russian change Of front, despite
acknowledgement commitments to
Berlin.
Italy's entrance into the war as
partner has certainly
not been a welcome development
to Russia. She has reached out
lou in the Baltic and Balkan thea
ters to lay hands on what she
-.
Realigned with Britain
German and Italian
war and food resources, Russia
could be a powerful factor to up
set Axis victory hopes. Her deci-