Evening star., 1940-10-27
u. S. Action in Far East Held
Dependent on British Security
Invasion Now Hopeless and Only Likely
As Measure Of Desperation, Eliot Soys

both in tecrinque and in proportion
ate numbers since the beginning OF
the air attacks. The way for inva-
sion has not been prepared.
Meanwhile. the British naval
forces remain In control of their
home waters as we'll as distant seas,
and the British Army is accumu-
lating and perfecting its defensive
measures and equipment. A success
full invasion Of Great Britain now
appears much less likely than at
the time of the collapse Of France.
AS to surprise. this it is suggested
in some quarters might be achieved
under cover of the November fogs,
to which period We are now sp-
preaching. To be helpful. fog would
have to cover the assembly Of the
invasion forces, or at any rate of
the specially trained. armed and
equipped "spearhead" units, their
departure from their ports CT en-
barkation, their crossing OF the
intervening waters, and their dis
embarkation on British soil. This
it might do as against British air
and naval attacks. But it might
Just as likely clear of and leave
the armada of barges and merchant
vessels helpless in mid-channel. 1t
would certainly be serious menace
to navigation with any large f1otilla.
1t would prevent air support by the
German planes as against naval
attack. If only couple OF British
destroyers got in amongst such a
flotilla, fog or no fog, there would
be slaughter before which Verdun
and Passchendaele wouldt seem
happy and soothing memories. Fog
would impede that close co-opera-
ton between surface and air units
which is the key of the German
successes in this war. 1t would not
help very much after a landing
place was reached, as against the
controlled fire of artillery and
surveyed and chartered zones of
fire.
Moral Effect World Wide.
Invasion is not impossible. 1t
might be commenced by the Ger
mans from several different points,
from Norway all the way around
to Brest, pushing on regardless of
consequences and striving to thrust
home at such points as they can
reach by sheer weight of numbers
and without regard for losses. But
such project approaches the realm
of desperation. The chances IF
bloody and conclusive repulse, with
all the consequences thereof, seem
greater and must seem greater to
the Germans than the chances of
victory.
Already the successful resistance
of the defenders of Britain, plus
their offensive bombings OF Ger
many, is having worldwide moral
effect. When to this is added the
effect of growing American aid, of
growing uncertainty of the con-
tinuance of American neutrality, the
effect increases. If Germany now
IAShcu oh Oll lIlC ClldIlCC VI AltdU1llS
Britain successfully, and were de-
feated, the Nazi star would be
definitely on the wane. Hence, If
the attempt is made, it will be
measure OF the actual desperation
in the inner councils of Nazidom.
Meanwhile, the increasing conf
dence in British inner circles is
shown by the reinforcements being
sent to Egypt, may be shown by
further extension of British
activities if local exigencies seem
to warrant such action. Mean
while, also, the United States
watching always the progress Of
the battle for Britain-may find
time and occasion to give proper
thought to American interests in
various regions of the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans where those interests
may require more than words for
their security,