Evening star., 1940-12-01

LONDON.-Will the illustrious Greek
successes be sustained? The hazardous
phase will begin when the coastal plain
Is reached. Then will the mechanical
materiel of the enemy be operating on
more suitable ground. Meanwhile, in
the mountain fastness at any rate, the
spirit of man still triumphs over the
remorselessness of machinery.
Now surely is the time propitious for
Britain to aid her ally with widespread,
simultaneous offensives against Italy.
There have been opportunities in the
past, but for reasons nicely balanced
they were not taken.
At the outset of hostilities between
Germany and the allies, 1T was argued
that to accept declaration OF neu-
trality without guarantees from state
30 closely associated with Berlin was
shortsighted and fraught with un-
charted risks. Better to force her hand
and II she marched with the axis, to
take conclusive measures forthwith
against her.
A powerful French Army was then
ready on the Alps, waiting to slip its
leash. 1t was still unblooded when
Petain gave up the struggle. French
bombers were at practice within close
range of the Fascist industries and
power stations concentrated across the
border.
How CALLING it must be for French
soldiers and airmen, who were so con-
fdent of their superiority, to know that
the Greeks have undertaken what they
themselves were jealous to accomplish!
In September, 1889 however, there
were formidable objections to be raised
against precipitating conflict which,
1t was thought, by prudence and re-
straint might be avoided. Italy had
received a shock from the signing of
the Hitler-Stalin pact which might, it
was felt. definitely rupture the axis.
The fissure, however, was healed.
Another Opportunity.
Again, when, elated by Nazi successes
In Norway, Mussolini saw vision of
his own aircraft keeping the British
Navy in the Mediterranean at bay, an
other opportunity was presented. 1t
would have been a legitimate reaction
If the allies had interpreted his mes
sage of good wishes to the Fuehrer as
. declaration of war.
The Fascist fleet was on maneuvers
and could promptly have been engaged.
The occasion was not seized. Once
more 1T was thought that war postponed
might be war escaped.
When, at his basely chosen time, II
Duce formally entered the struggle, he
did not exploit the imagined British
vulnerability at sea. Indeed, as Taranto
has since shown, 1t Is the Italian fleet
which is held at bay. All the more in
centive, therefore, for Britain to seek
out those units which are presumably
ensconced in the remoter harbors of
Fiume and Trieste.
Britain, abandoned by France, has
required time on land to readjust her
dispositions and reinforce her strength.
italy, meanwhile, has not been able to
follow up her initial successes in Somali-
land and at Kassala.
Eleven weeks have passed since the
rapid march of General Graziani from
Tobruk to Sidi Barrani in the western
desert of Egypt. A rout on this front
might well complete the demoral-
ization of the Italian army which the
Greeks have initiated.
Severe Fuel Restrictions.
Capture by the Greeks, with Royal Air
Force cooperation, of well placed air.
dromes In Albania, can bring the war
much nearer home. italian industries
depend exclusively on German coal.
Trainloads must cross the frontier every
day. If the viaducts can be smashed,
further Tightening of the already severe
restrictions on the use of fuel will be
Inevitable.
Ships bearing oil and other commod-
tiles from Russia and Rumania have
escaped the blockade by creeping through
the Aegean Sea. The British fleet, from
the Greek mainland and islands, can
now arrest this traffic.
For some time the Italians have ex-
perienced a scarcity of butter and eggs,
and there are four meatless days week.
They have derived some of their sup