The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-10-12
NE SWINGING TIDE

Undoubtedly Messrs. Mussolini
and Hitler have indeed been rolling
the dice for Britain's possessions;
they wonld be lacking in leadership
if they didn't look ahead. However
it requires no psychic powers TO see
that the totalitarian chieitains have
on their hands a military problem
that is causing them grave worry.
In short. it finally has become
evident that the British Empire
can't be cracked open by carrying
il up into the air and then dropping
it on a rock after the manner Of a
bird with clam.
The downfall OF England, which
both Hitler and Mussolini land lot
OF others felt absolutely sure OF
only a short time ago. is now actu-
ally further away than it was in
June when France collapsed and the
Allied future was indeed black.
Herr Hitler seemed sure then that
Britain vas finished.
Instead % being knocked out.
England is now hopeful OF %inning
the war
That is the difficulty which has
brought the Axis twins into hur-
ried and anxious conferences again.
The indications are that Hitler is,
calling for more action in the Med
iterranean and the two of them are
In process OF deyising ways and
means Of getting it. That TO my
mind requires very considerable
aid for Italy
The trouble with the Axis powers
is that neither OF them is. prepared
for long war. and Italy is far less
we'll equipped than Germany. II is
true that the Nazis have the might
lest military machine ever created,
and that the Fascists also are rela-
lively strong.
But no matter how powerful the
fighting services Of a nation, IL
can't make war without resources
not only TO support those services
but take care Of its ponllation.
Neither Germany nor ItaIy had &C
cumulated all the vital resources
when war began.
Neither OF the Axis powers is self
contained. The sources OF supply
open to the Axis in Europe are far
from sufficient for their needs And
the British blockade thus far is ef-
fectiye
Note the statement made by ltal-
ian Foreign Minister Ciano (Musso-
linis son-in-law) in December of
last year Speaking befote the
Chamber Of Fasces and Guilds he
said Italy had stated at the Milan
conference in May. when the Berlin
Rome Alliance was signed that she
required three years for perfection
OF internal reconstruction and oom-
pletion OF military preparations" He
said Germany estimated its period
Of rearmament az four or five years.
When MussOlini came into the
war on June 10 France was utterly
crushed and only a week from sur
render Hitler expected 10 be in
London in couple OF months. at
the outside II Duce could stand
that period Of conflict although he
was far from ready for any pro-
tracted conflict
The British resistance has
changed the picture utterly. The
blockade which was clamped down
on Italy in June is beginning to tell
II this war runs through the winter
the problems OF the Axis may easily
become desperate.
Thus We see a conference TO de-
wise ways and means OF speeding
up the job Of conquering Great
Britain. The Mediterranean area
provides the likely theater for fresh
operations and it now looks as
though We might see action at DO b
ends OF this sea. An assault on Glib,
rIltar through Spain Is possible.
and It wouldn't be surprising If
some sort of operation were at
tempted in the Balkans.
-C----