Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-04
Destroyers May Aid
British Campaign
In Near East
Ships Would Permit Use
Of More Modern Croft
In Mediterranean
BY the Associated Press.


BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, Sept. 4.-Britains pre-
dicted Near Eastern campaign de-
signed to smash empire plans of the
Rome Berlin axis may be bolstered
by acquisition of so destroyers from
the United States.
Authoritative sources pointed out
these vessels could release more
modern craft for use in the Medi-
terranean feet, backing up land
forces which the war Office already
has disclosed are being prepared
for offensive action"
Only yesterday War Secretary
Anthony Eden said that AT any
moment fighting may begin on a
large scale" in the Near East.
Aside from the immediate prac-
teal gain for the fleet, Britons from
First Lord of the Admiralty "A. v.
Alexander down viewed the destroy
er deal rs drawing Britain, FIGHTING
alone against Germany and Italy,
closer to the United States.
Mr.. Alexander said in a state
ment the deal will strengthen the
feeling of goodwill and friendship"
between the two nations.
Larger Strstegic Plan"
The News Chronicle said in an
editorial today:
Here is perhaps the greatest sin
gle step which has yet been taken
toward -" the planet-changing
cooperation between the British
Empire and America
Without involving the active
participation Of America in the
American soldier to Europe; that
cooperation will bring victory to
the cause in which both countries
believe and pave the way for a new
order of peace and freedom
throughout the world"
The Times said:
This transaction takes its place
in the larger strategic plan for mu-
tual assistance in self defense which
is now being worked out between the
British Empire and the United
States
america Protects Rear"
The Daily Express:
This is mighty and splendid
day, day in which America. watch
ing our fight as the embattled
champion of the world, sends us
great aid. - 1t is fortuitous and
inevitable that every move America
makes for her self-preservation is
move in our defense, too. America
protects the rear"
The Daily Telegraph described the
deal as notification to Hitler of
Americas confidence in the ultimate
victory of Britain"
The direction Britain's predicted
Near Eastern campaign Is to take
has not been mentioned in oficial
announcements. The spotlight has
been focused on Syria, however, by
Cairo reports that the British be-
lieve the italians are moving toward
occupation of that country, which
was under the protection Of the
French Army.
The Cairo report said members of
the Italian Armistice Mission had
demanded that France disband her
force in Syria as the first step In the
direction Of Italian occupation.
Would Control Oil Fields.
A pro- British rule in Syria would
give Britain control of a branch
of the Mosul oil fields pipe line which
goes to Tripoli and would re-estab-
lish the Eastern Mediterranean
shore as solid pro-British territory.
Even outweighing these advan-
tages would be the possible effect on
the Moslem world, whose $50, 000,-
600 persons the British are trying to
align in counter to the axis plan for
Eastern expansion.
Britain's Arab policy In Palestine
and support of the Moslem minority
in India are viewed as likely to
yield heavy dividends in Near East
ern maneuvering.
There is talk that Iraq will push
the old dream of Col. T. E. Lawrence
for q pan-Arab union under British
protection. Support of the Arab
hosts would be especially valuable
to Britain in Northern Africa, where
Italy and the Petain government OF
EsroOco r,,la millions of MOSlemS