Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-14
u. S. Stand
Puts Nuzis
In Dilemma
Brituin's Control Of
Seas Called Chief
Threut to Axis
By DEWITT MACKENZIE.

What with President RoOSeveltB
blunt defiance of the threats by
the triple alliance against America
and the reported ominous massing
of Russian troops along the border
of Nazi-occupied Rumania, it
strikes me that the trio must have
hearty food for reflection-if indeed
it isn't such strong meat as to call
for the old oicarbonate standby.
The chief purpose in the recent
formation of the alliance by Ger
many, Italy and Japan was to scare
the United States and $50 many OBJ
servers hold Russia out of giving
aid to Britain. The reaction to this
strategy of terror-which has been
one of the favorite weapons Of the
dictatorships-has been immediate
and undoubtedly not what was ex-
pected. At least it isn't what was
intended.
So far as regards the United
States, Herr Hitler and his allies
found enough in just two sentences
of Mr.. Roosevelts Dayton speech 10
show them where We stand. The
President said:
The Americas will not be scared
or threatened into the ways the
dictators want us to go. No
combination of dictators of Europe
and Asia will stop the help that
we are giving to almost the last
free people now fighting to hold
them at bay
Hitler's Next Question.
Since the United States has re-
fused to submit to threats and dicta-
ton, the next question which Herr
Hitler, as leader of the triple all
lance, is bound to ask himself is:
What happens if the alliance
forces America into the ware"
Now there is only one logical
answer at which he can arrive. so
far as I can see, but in order to
get the full significance OF the posi-
ton we have to recall why Hitler
found it necessary to resort to pres
sure against us in the first place.
The great danger to Hitler and
MussoIini for our concern today is
with the axis and not with Japan
lies in Britain's control Of the Seven
Seas-the blockade of steel, which
is slowly but steadily Tightening
about them and the entire continent
Of Europe
That's what the axis partners
have to beat-or else find them
selves searching Mother Hubbards
cupboard for supplies that no longer
exist.
The Nazi attack on England thus
far has failed 10 break the British
and the blockade So now Germany
and Italy are turning 10 the Medl-
terranean theater in the hope of
achieving a quick victory which will
break that naval garrote about their
necks.
Cracking Navy Is Goal.
No matter how much the opera
tons may vary or how widespread
they may be. the objective must AL
ways be the same-to crack the
British Navy. That is the theme
running through Herr Hitler's mind
as he ponders the momentous ques-
ton of what happens if he forces
the United States into the war. The
answer at which he must inevitably
arrive is this:
The axis would Immediately find
itself facing another navy, which
perhaps is even more powerful than
the British, although not possessing
quite so many ships. 1t isn't ques-
ton Of troops or tanks-but just
varships.
If the axis has thus far found
the British blockade too tough to
crack. what happens if an American
feet is sent over to reinforce 1t?
What happens, for instance, TO Italy
with its great coastline if still
further naval might is added to the
already dominating British fleets in
the Mediterranean?
Soviet Intentions Obscure.
The obvious answers are such as
to make it seem likely that the al
lance will count 10 before making
war on the United States.
Russias intentions still remain
obscure, although it is clear that
the Soviet is strengthening its mill
tary and naval position in such
manner as would serve for either
defensive or offensive action. Tur-
kew. which continues in a state Of
defiant preparedness for any ad-
vance down the Balkan Peninsula
by MesSrs. Hitler and Mussolini, sees
threat against Russia in the Ger
man movement of troops into Ru-
mania.
However, while the whole Balkan
situation is full of dynamite. it
seems to me that we aren't entitled
to jump to the conclusion that Rus
STA necessarily is about to come into
the war. That certainly is possible.
but the Bolshevists may sit tight