Evening star., 1940-05-05

mixture Of politics and diplomacy IN
military affairs were lukewarm to the
Churchill proposals. They are said to
have pointed out that, while undoubtedly
the conquest Of Norway by the Germans
would be severe blow to the prestige
OF the allies from the diplomatic point OF
view, 1t was not major defeat; that the
fact OF the Germans being within 400
miles Of the coast of Scotland was de-
plorable, but again it did not mean that
Hitler had obtained military victory
against the allies. On the other hand,
they are said to have pointed out to the
cabinet, the Germans were already In
Norway; they were pouring in troopship
after troopship without the allied navy
being able to cause to- severe damage to
those transports. The German troops had
already occupied the main ports of Nor
way, where an adequate landing could be
made. TO try to land number of allied
troops capable of dealing with the $4,000
men the Germans had sent to Norway,
would be more difficult task even than
the ill-fated Gallipoi expedition. There
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beachheads could be established under
the protection Of the navy, but they were
not large enough to permit the deploy-
ment Of large forces and adequate air.
fields were particularly lacking. Let Nor
way go. the military are reported to have
advised Mr.. Churchill, and let's apply our
selves to winning the war on the other
fronts where Hitler's blows are bound to
fall within the next few weeks.
Generals OverruIed.
These objections of the generals were
brushed aside, it is reported, by the i'm
pulsive British war co-ordinator. He was
convinced that a large expeditionary
force which had been gathered for Fin
land could operate successfully against
the Nazis. Here again, the generals
pointed out, the expeditionary force for
Finland was predicated on Norway and
Sweden not opposing their landing. Now
the situation had changed, since the
British cruisers and transports would be
under the fire Of the German artillery
and aviation.
But even in wartime the soldiers have
not had the last word. The politicians
carried the day and the expedition was
ordered. According to reports which have
had, SO far, no official confirmation, but
which appear to be correct, the British
generals available for this task were un-
willing to risk their regulations on an
adventure which in their opinion had but
scant chance OF success. All the high
ranking officers who were offered this
spectacular but thankless job accepted
with the provision that their observa-
tions on the slim prospects of the CAM
paign be placed on record. This ex-
plains why retired British general,
Carton de Wizard, who had been inactive
for 10 years previous to the outbreak Of
the war and had lived most Of the time
in Poland, was intrusted with the COM
mand Of troops which should have had q
leader more conversant with modern
warfare.
Gibraltar May BE Trouble Center.
It is possible that the Norwegian cam
paign IS nothing but curtain raiser to
q more bloody tragedy in other parts Of
Europe. It is equally felt that the errors
committed in Norway, unless drastically
amended in the near future, will give
Mussolini further incentive to enter
the scene of war. And finally, 1t is felt
that there is possibility that, in an ef-
fort to divert as many allied troops as
possible to different fronts, other minor
actors should be enlisted in the Hitler
company. For instance, there have been
recurrent stories that Spain intends to
complete its nationalistic policy by taking
Gibraltar from the British. The fact is
that Franco does not want to be drawn
into this war but may be forced to do so
by circumstances. The British could not
hold the Rock against a Spanish assault
combined with an air attack on their
base from the Balearic Islands, where
Italian warplanes and submarines are
reported to be stationed. The only en-.
cient defense OF the Rock Is the landing
Of allied troops on the Atlantic coast Of
Spain. The best road to tho defense Of
Gibraltar goes through Madrid.
The general belief here Is that the next
steps Of the Fuehrer will be to bring new
forces against the allies; new troops
which will necessarily draw allied forces
to other theaters Of operation, while the
German armies will be able to concen-
trate on specific points on the western
front.
Whether the German strategy will sue
ceed or not is guessing game which no
body dares to play at the present time.