Evening star., 1940-01-23
BeNigerents' Pleas Put NeutruIs
Between Devil and Deep Sea
Nordie Stotes' Sympothies With Allies,
But Reich and Soviet Are Too Close
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.
The neutrals-especially those in
Northern Europe-are dizzy. On
the one hand the British tell them
that the allies are fighting this sit
down war for their sake and urge
them to join in the affray. On the
other hand the Germans and the
Russians warn them that If they
stick their necks out they will get
into trouble.
The result Is that they are caught
between the devil and the deep sea
and don't know where to turn. If
they follow Mr. Churchills advice
and join up with the allies in the
spring they are sure to have the
Germans and the Russians on their
backs.
On the other hand, if they remain
aloof in the present conflict, and if
Germany wins, they may retain a
nominal independence, but they will
undoubtedly be under Germany's
boot at the end of the war. The
Scandinavian kings are worried lest
their countries might be made the
base Of a bargain between the bel
ligerents If they keep out of the
conflict. But they don't know where
to 60. Their sympathies are toward
the allies. But they realize that
Joining the French and the British
at the present time would be some
what Of risky business. The to-
tahtarians are too close to their bor-
ders. Furthermore, they are some
what discouraged over the many
beautiful speeches and the little ef-
fective assistance Finland is getting
from the democratic world. Seldom,
if ever, have the Nordics been in a
more dangerous and difficult spot.
Cry for Second Battlefront.
There is loud cry in France and
Great Britain for second battle
front. 1t is realized that for long
time the western front will be quiet
Unless the Germans are compelled
to weaken their military strength
along and behind, the west wall an
attack on that section of the front
will be too great a risk for either
belhgerent.
Hence the need for another front
which should detract q large num-
Der of German forces from the
western front and also force the
Germans to spend more ammuni-
tons and war equipment.
If this can be done Germany will
feel q shortage of raw materials
necessary for the prosecution of
the war. As things stand, the
Reich has not yet plunged into the
large reserves Of oil, copper, rubber,
etc., which Goering has been storing
for the last four years.
In Syria there is the army of the
Levant under Frances ablest mill
tary leader, Gen. Maxine Weygand
"a Belgian by birth.
Little is said but much is whis-
pered about that army and its fu-
ture role in the present war. It's
strength is estimated at between
10000 and 100000 men. The for
mer figure is closer to reality. The
figure of 100000 IS a potential one
and Egyptian, Palestine, Arab and
other troops are taken into consid-
Grafton.
Whittier this army may move is
dificult to say. Gen. Weygand is
koapfy,r 1,ic nx,y, no,,~col o~l hnr
been seeking no publicity.
It is possible that parts of this
army might strengthen the Turkish
forces and move against Russia
through the Caucasus in an attempt
to reach the Baku oil fields and cut
of Russia from its most important
source Of supply of oil.
More Spectacular Role.
On the other hand it is possible
that the army Of the Levant should
be given q more spectacular role:
To be ordered to move to Constanti-
nople, thence by way of Thrace
across the Balkan Mountains into
Bulgaria; join King Carols forces
and eventually attack Germany
through Poland and Czecho-Slo-
vakia. This conception. sounds
somewhat fantastic In view of the
fact that the lines of communica-
tions would be 50 extended that the
army would hardly be able to con-
tinue its work when 1t comes up
against the main foe-the Germans.
They would be close to their base
Of supplies while the allies win have
to provide their forces from across
the Mediterranean and through the
Black Sea.
The Salonika experience in the last
World War is still vivid in the mem
ory Of Gen. Weygand, who used to
be Marshal Foch's chief of staff.
Although the allies had incompar.
ably better conditions at that time,
the Salonika expedition was q COM
plete hop until the Germans became
weakened on the western front.
AL the same public opinion In the
allied countries would like to see
another front where the war might
be more active. The French ana
i