Evening star., 1940-10-13

meetings Of the two dictators at Bren-
nero have been shrouded, one thing Is
definitely known In well-informed quar-
ters in Washington, The idea of
lightning war had to be given up and
measures have been taken by Mussolini
and Hitler to face long war. 1t won't
be war of >inactton. Quite the con-
trary. 1t is fully expected that there
will be many bloody and spectacular
campaigns in all parts of the British
Empire.
The idea of an invasion of England
this year had to be abandoned. London
and other important English cities will
continue to suffer the effects of terrific
bombardments. There might even be
some landing demonstrations during the
days when the Channel is blanketed by
heavy fog. But the Germans don't ex-
pect to gain foothold on British soil.
The main campaigns, so far as the
European end of the axis is concerned,
will be developed in the Mediterranean
and in Eastern Europe. Three German
divisions accompanied by motorized units
have already received orders to proceed
to Rumania to act as guards for the oil
fields Half that number of Italian
troops-some 10000 men-will be dis
patched in the near future.
Italian troops are concentrated in the
Albanian-Greek border. Their number.
too will be increased in the course of the
next three weeks. Italy does not expect
to attack Greece Immediately.
Passage Through Balkans Sought.
According to reports from military OBJ
servers, the actual purpose Of sending a
force estimated at this time at 900 men
to Rumania is the preparation of CAM
paign in the Near East. The Germans
and the Italians have definitely decided
to attempt to attack the British at the
Suez Canal by way of Istanbul, making
their way from there to Palestine. 1t is
the same route they followed during the
first World War without success.
There are diplomatic pourparlers in
course now between Sofia, Rome and
Berlin The axis wants Bulgaria to join
in such a campaign. not necessarily with
military force but by granting free pass
age to the totalitarian forces through the
Balkan kingdom. In this way the main
obstacles to the conquest of Istanbul-
the passage of the Danube and the cross
ing Of the Balkan Mountains-would be
removed. The only defense Of the for
mer Turkish capital Is the Catalca Line.
While the Turks have strengthened that
fortifcation in the last two years. it
cannot resist the power of modern artil-
lery and tanks any better than the Bel
gian lines did.
The Italian campaign against Egypt
has come to Sstandstlll Marshal
GRAHAM will make some more demon
strations with large forces. but according
to observers on the spot his chances OF
breaking through the British fortifca-
tions in the desert are extremely slim,
even if he were supported by an impor-
tant contingent of German mechanical
forces and aviation.
Two-Way Attack.
The two dictators have come to the
conclusion that an attack on Egypt and
the Suez Canal must be made from two
sides: From Libya by the Italians un-
der the command of Field Marshal
Graziano and from Palestine by German.
Italian and possibly Bulgarian and Ru-
manian forces. The same sources re-
port that the Italians will delay their
action against Greece until the plans for
this large scale operation have been COM
pleted. Russia has been told of the in
tentions of her associates and it is be-
lieved that. in exchange for her consent,
in the event Turkey fights the invaders
she will be encouraged to take sections
of Eastern Anatolia which she has been
coveting for more than century.
AS this is going to be long war, 1t
appears essential to the German and
Italian strategists that the rest of Europe
should become as much q part Of the
axis as Hungary and Rumania are now.
For this purpose it is necessary to de-
prive the remaining sentimental states.
bordering the Mediterranean, Of their
freedom of action Neither Greece nor
Turkey has renounced the guarantee re.
ceived last year from Britain. German
Italian diplomatic pressure has been, for
the time being, of no avail. Since the
idea Of a major military campaign
against Britain had to be postponed, the
powers of the axis are determined to
proceed to the destruction of the British
Empire and intend to begin their opera
tions on both sides of the Mediterranean.
To facilitate naval operations in that
sea, reliable reports say that the German
government is putting serious pressure
on the vichy government to place at the
disposal Of the axis those units Of the
French fleet which are not incorporated
IN the British navy. These are stationed
at Toulou and at B1esAand would give