Evening star., 1940-04-21

on the lips Of every statesman and diplo-
mat in Washington and abroad. It is
at the present time more important than
the results Of the military operations
taking place in Norway and even more
consequential than the impending threat
to the independence of the Netherlands.
There have been wishful thinkers ever
since the outset of the war who actually
believed that Italy would join the allies.
II offered a fair price. Many Of the
highest ofncials Of our State Department
believed this to be true. One OF the
tangible results of Mr.. Sumner Welles'
voyage into Fairyland was to dispel this
myth. He is said to have returned with
the definite feeling that If Italy does not
remain acknowledgement, she will certainly
rather side with Germany than with
the allies.
The active war on the western front
was decided by the Fuehrer after the
historical meeting at Brennero between
Hitler and Mussolini. According to the
best advices which have reached WASH
ington, the two dictators reviewed the
situation after it became evident that
there could be no peace by negotiations
and reached the conclusion that the
time to strike had come and that they
must move swiftly. The chances of sue
cess were better than so per cent If the
axis took the initiative at the present
time-even at the risk Of drawing the
United States into the imbroglio in the
next few months. This was felt not only
by the diplomatic advisers of the two
dictators, but also by the military men.
Mussolini-who.i is said to have greater
perception and "feel" Of military matters
was all in favor Of it.
Norway preliminary"
If the reports of what has happened
at Brennero are correct-and there is
more than reasonable chance that
they should be-Germany undertook to
"straighten out" the Nordic neutrals as
a preliminary to the main action against
Britain and France on the western front
and by devastating air attacks.
The action of the Germans re-
ports say-would be synchronized by an
action of Italy in the south. It is rea-
sonable to assume that the cautious Mus
solini is awaiting the final results of
Germany's action in Scandinavia. His
Judgment Of the situation is based not
on rumors or demonstrations which the
allies may make. but on hard facts and
results judged by the general staff.
For the time being, Italy has given
the world enough indications that she
is about ready to enter the scene of
conflict by speeches made by II Duce
and his henchmen and by notices in the
government-controlled italian press.
But besides these public intimations
OF Italy's intentions there have been
military measures which are sharply
pointed. The Italian troops in the Alps
have been so reinforced in-the last three
weeks that the French had to increase
their covering" forces by another $50 600
men. More troops are held in readiness
to be rushed to the Alps at moments
notice
Field Marshal Italo Balbo's air forces
also have been reinforced recently by
the addition Of an unknown number of
airplane squadrons and mechanical
units especially designed to operate in
the sand dunes of Africa. But what IS
more important is the fact the Italian
fleet has put to sea for spring maneu-
vers' and was reported, on April IS, to
have reached the rendezvous in the
Dodecanese Islands, with the Island OF
Rhodes as the main conceptration point
The presence Of the whole Italian fleet
in the Eastern Mediterranean is a source
of considerable worry to the allies.
Greece Comes First.
Italy, if she decides to abandon hel
n-belligerent status, needs quick and
easy victory. BY process of elimina-
ton, the allies fear her first prey will be
Greece. This assumption is based on the
fact that Italy would not undertake, al
the present time, an action against Tur-
key by trying to force the Dardanelles
The Turkish government has been forti.
flying the natural position of the straits
for the last five years, and they are con.
sidered now as impregnable. It is equally
unlikely that she will attempt q coup
against the wen-fortified and well-de-
Tended Suez Canal. An action against
Tunisia, with the important French
naval base at Bizerta, is equally unlikely