The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-09-02

direction at the present juncture.
That the Italians can lick the
Greeks, assuming that the latter
are left lone-handed, isn't disput-
ed. They may not be left lone
handed, however. They have Brit
aims promise to help them, for
one thing. To be sure, the British
may not be in a position to be
very helpful, so far as land cam
paign's concerned, and italian
forces can get into Hellas onsterra
firma, from Albanias direction.
But how about Turkey? The
Turks today are pro-Greek. They
also are well known as formidable
fighters. They proved it in the last
World war, when the British were
trying to gain control Of the OAR
danelles and couldn't do 1t. Tur-
key and Greece combined are seen
as belligerents who are liable to
provide a pretty large mouthful
for even Italy to masticate.
Turks Are Tough
It's true that Turkey has to con-
slider the attitude of its big near
neighbor, Russia, And Russia has
a certain sort of an alliance with
Germany, which, in turn, has "a
hook-up with Italy. Thus perhaps
It would appear that Russia should
warn Turkey to lay off any part
nership with the Greeks against
the Italians.
1t seems, though, that Comrade
Stain is a rather lukewarm friend
Of Fuehrer Hitler and it's a COM
monplace that Stain and II Duce
Mussolini distinctly don't like one
another.
Apparently that's the trc"h''
with that axis. Evidently it isn't
dependable.
Anyway, reliable reports are to
the effect that Comrade Stain has
told the Turks to 60 right ahead
with any bargain they choose to
make with Greek Premier 'Metax-
as, in Athens.
The prospect is. then. that Sig
nor Mussolini is up against a Gre
co-Turkish coalition relative to his
land operations.
Greeks Warlike
The Italians haven't much Of a
reputation as terrestrial scrap
pers, but, as previously remarked,
the Turks have. The Greeks aren't
particularly tested in recent times,
but they act warlike at present.
Italy has a good bit Of sea
strength and Turkey and Greece
haven't any to speak Of. That's
where the British enter into the
equation. There's no question that
they entirely outclass Italy in
Mediterranean waters. Upon Ben
itos declaration Of war his fleet
promptly hunted cover, ard john
Bulls ships haven't even been able
to find Italy's. to demolish them.
II they venture out into open wa
ter, in support Of an anti-Greece-
Turkish campaign, all the best
guessing is that Britains craft
will dispose of them in short or
der.
Most accounts are that Italy's
aviation equipment is excellent.
Turkey and Greece haven't any
worth mentioning. Still. Greece
and Turkey haven't great deal
to lose by aerial bombardment-
only few ancient ruins and mos
1ues to be knocked over. bee
Spread Out Pretty Thin
Italys force is spread out mid
ding thin. too.
1t has the whole length Of the
Mediterranean to look after, from
Gibraltar eastward. Besides Tur-
key and Greece, it's likely to have
Egypt on its hands shortly. It's
home coast and its, African shores
are heavily blockaded.
Germany can do it no good on
such waterfronts or between them.
Russia could lend it aid, but
Comrade Stain is no sure aid
as to the eastern Mediterranean,
and. guess, all the Balkans
Naturally it's none Of Japan's
funeral.
They say it's quite a worry to
Benito.