Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-07-18
Gibraltar Attack May Precede
Strike at England, Eliot Says
British Control Of Mediterrcneon's West
Exit Rests on the Rock, He Believes

German hands. Since the German
destroyer strength ct the beginning
Of the war was only 80, Of which at
least II have since been lost, the
importance Of . strong reinforce
ment In this type could hardly be
overlooked by the German naval
staf1.
Thus. the Germans, who love Ia
have their plans perfect 70 the last
detail, have q great deal Of plan
ming to do. and must keep revising
their plans in the face Of the latest
information from their aircraft and
secret service as to British disposi-
tions. Yet every day that passes
gives the British more time to pre-
pare. For example, 1t gives them
one day longer to train their new
troops In the use Of the American
Lee-E nf1eld rife, with its iaigh-pow-
cred ammunition to which the Brit.
ish soldier Is unused; it gives time
to train gun crews for the American
77-mm. guns and the American ma.
chine guns. which have recently ar
rived in no small quantities.
/ It gives time for the building and
the receipt from abroad Of addi-
tional planes; 1t adds q day to the
experience Of green pilots and other
air personnel. It gives time for the
perfecting Of the defenses of all
sorts. The Germans cannot affofd
to give the British one more such
day than Is absolutely necessary;
for each such day Of grace, they
must add appreciably to their ex-
pected casualties.
Bombings Harming Reich.
Furthermore. 1t Is another day
In which the British can carry out
their rather extensive and persistent
air bombings Of German railway
centers, oil tanks. refineries. NUM-
tions plants, docks and other OBJ
jectives. These bombing are doing
serious harm to the Germans,
though. of course, the Germans are
also doing harm to the British.
As the time Of action approaches,
one may picture the young Nazi
soldiers. flushed with their victories
over Poles. Norwegians, Belgians,
Dutchmen and Frenchmen, eager for
the final act Of the great drama
of conquest-the attack on Great
Britain. But one may also picture
the able and clear-thinking German
staff officer bending over his map
with furrowed brows, weighing in
his own mind the chances Of VIC
tory and defeat. It Is hard to sup
pose that any Of these think there
win be an easy and q quick victory.
One may, indeed, imagine that some
voices have urged caution on the
Fuehrer, pointing out the possibility
Of bloody repulse, and its in
evitable effect on the morale Of the
army and the nation. There Is an
easier way. they may urge, to de-
feat Great Britain: blockade by air
and sea. II enough submarines and
light craft can be used, in the
western approaches Of the British
Isles. Britain can be starved out
before Germany will starve herself
But not. one may say, before italy
There Is the rub. Moreover. unless
the aid Of Italian submarines and
light craft, and of Italian air power,
can be had. the process may be a
very long one II italy remains
bottled up in the Mediterranean,
; conditions in the peninsula will be-
COME very bad within = few weeks;
and the italian Navy will have no
chance to participate In An Atlantic