Evening star., 1940-04-14

and London is barely 100 miles. Occu-
patton Of that port by Germany would
enable the German Messerschmidts to
accompany the heavy bombers on their
contemplated raids against London ana
other important British industrial CEN
ters. The fast German pursuit planes
cannot accompany the heavy bombers
at the present time because they cannot
carry enough gas for . return trip Of
over 1000 miles. Hence the military
necessity that Holland should be invaded
and her resistance broken - quickly @
possible.
Americans Warned to Leave.
Because of the likelihood that tho war
may start in the lowlands, John Cudahy,
American Ambassador at Brussels, has
warned all Americans to leave Belgium
at the earliest possible moment.
The same warning was given by the
Luxembourg government to the small
Luxembourg population. It is believed
that in order to prevent the allies from
going to the rescue Of Holland when tho
German attack occurs, the Berlin gen.
eral staff will make q diversion on the
western front. Judging by the concern
OF the Luxembourg government 1t would
appear that this attack might take place
through that little country. In previous
wars diversion meant small scale at
tacks with plenty of artillery prepara-
ton. Now it seems probable that
diversion will be undertaken with huge
forces and with the definite intention Of
breaking through the line. Thus the
allies will have to concentrate all their
efforts in preventing q German success
on these lines and will not have sum-
cient men, and especially war material,
at their disposal to send large forces to
help the lowlanders. It is true that
military authorities hold that the army
which takes the offensive must have q
four to one superiority. According to best
information, the Reich high command at
the present time has that tactical posi-
ton both in men and airplanes. The
gasoline problem is an important factor
which worries the Germans But they
have enough to carry on an active war
for at least five months.
Economic War Planned.
Until Sumner Welles' return from
Europe it was taken for granted, on the
basis Of the statements of the high
priests of the NaN government, that
the war of attrition would continue for
an indefinite number Of months and
maybe years. Germany's answer to
the allied blockade was to be the or
ganization Of the countries east Of the
Rhine into economic units to supply all
the needs of the Reich for raw materials
and foodstuffs. The war was to take
the shape of an economic war between
the totalitarian and the allies economic
systems The Germans were confident
that the allies could not starve them out,
and believed that the financial and eco
nomic strain would down the British and
the French much sooner than it could
defeat Germany. Because of this con-
ception it was believed in Berlin that
the Paris and London governments would
jump at the first straw which was offered
them from the outside and accept peace
talk If some face-saving device were
offered them.
When 1t became evident that neither
Mr. Chamberlain nor Mr. Reynaud was
disposed to talk peace, Berlin decided
to act. The Berlin government believes
that the United States intends to take
an active part in this war. It was not
believed that American divisions would
cross the ocean again and fight in
France. But there were strong indica-
tions to show that the United States OF
America would become the workshop of
the allies, providing them with all they
need to counterbalance Germanys amaz-
ing preparation in the field of aviation
and other war material. The leaders
OF the Reich were confident that the
somewhat antiquated methods OF pro-
duction of the allies would not permit
them to reach the high grade Of in
dustrial efficiency of the Reich. But
they knew that world at war for 10 to
20 years would result if this Nation
stepped in and started producing on .
large scale for the allied armies.
Americans for Allies.
The German foreign ofice-after Mr..
Welles' resultless exploration trip-told
the Fuehrer that there was no doubt in
the minds Of those Germans diplomats
who know the United States well that
the American people would do their
utmost to further the cause of the allies.
There was no question that popular
sentiment is strongly in favor of peace
and no entanglements. But the adj
ministration, even at the present time,