Evening star., 1940-09-13
Italy Reported Mossing
Army on Egypt's Border

CAIRO, EgNpt. sept. Is (P)-ltdlV
massed troops-reportedly 250OOO
strong-along the Libyan-E Egyptian
frontier today and border artillery
roared in crescendo as British and
Egyptians prepared to meet the
long -heralded Italian thrust to the
east.
Military observers in Cairo pre-
dicted the Fascist drive would come
within a week and coincide with
Adolf Hitler's projected attempt to
Invade England, just as Italy's en-
trance into the war was timed with
Germany's full-scale offensive into
France and as Soviet RuSSia's ad-
vance from the east squeezed Poland
at the critical moment during the
Eazi invasion a year ago.
Firing between British and Italian
advance units echoed omlnously
last night AS British reconnaissance
flyers reported movements of fresh
troops from the interior of Llbya
to the port of Bardia, only 80 miles
from the Egyptian border.
In particular. the Italians were re-
ported strengthening their lines in
triangular area between Azeiz,
Bardia and Fort Capuzzo, which has
borne the brunt of heavy British
aerial attacks and shelling by Brit
ish naval units operating off the
cost.
Some observers hold that Italy's
key role in the German Italian war
t,,et pr,t &c to IL I1a
British in the Mediterranean at the
right moment, striking probably at
such strategic points as the Suez
Canal, which would be the ulti-
mate goal of a drive eastward
through Egypt.
Factors Point to Strike Soon.
Two factors led observers to be-
feve Italy would strike soon:
l. Weather conditions are con-
sidered more propitious now that
the blazing heat of the desert sum-
mer has subsided. Reports from
the frontier say the nights are so
cool that soldiers sleep under three
blankets.
2. Marshal Rudolfo Graziani,
commanding the Italian forces, is
believed by the British to have
abandoned hope of getting rein
forcements from home across the
Mediterranean in the face of the
British naval blockade of the Lib
yan coast. Thus, the British feel
he must try for decisive blow be-
fore dissipating his ammunition
and equipment in desultory fighting
The British officially have been
declared to be pursuing a policy CT
letting the Italians spend their sup
plies in indecisive fighting.
British commanders in Egypt
therefore have adopted wait and
see attitude, plainly giving the
impression they feel fully prepared
to meet any Italian drive.
Egyptian soldiers, withdrawn from
border garrisons two months ago,
have returned to their posts.
While British forces, facing the
Italis rs along the frontier are ac-
knowledged to be much smaller than
the Fascist Army, they are said
to comprise experienced desert
fighters.
Recently Britain landed thou
sands of soldiers in Egypt to REIN
force the $4,000 British troops re-
ported on Egyptian soil last May.
Egypt herself has British
trained army of about 10000.
Pledge by Mussolini.
The Egyptian government, linked
to Britain by military pact, has
refrained from declaring war on
Italy pending any direct Italian
attack. Premier Mussolini, in de-
claring war on Britain last June,
said Egypt was safe from attack so
long as she remained strictly neu-
tral.
At the Suez Canal. presumably a
chief Italian goal, Britain bestrides
Italy's lifeline to her East African
empire. But 400 miles-largely
across desert lands-separate the
Libyan forces from the canal.
OF late the Italians have taken
the initiative more frequently in air
warfare, launching heavy assaults
on Mersa Matruh, British North
African base. However, the British
claim that damage and casutlties
: have been slight"