Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-10-29
The War Spreads

Italv'S move in provoking war with
Greece r significant in that at long
last it spreads hoStilitieS into the
Balkans. And the most serious thing
about the latest event is that this IS
probably only the beginning OF
operations in that area. 1t will prob
ably be mere matter OF weeks be-
fore Turkey becomes involved up to
her neck. and it is not beyond the
bounds of reason to SurmiSe that
Soviet Russia may be near the break
inc point with Germany and may
take hand.
The Greeks have apparently taken
the offensive as the new conflict De
gins as the result of their refusal of a
three-hour ultmatlm from Italy. But
with only a hundred thousand or so
troops available. as against ltaly'S
100000 modified along the Albanian
frontier. and many more that cen
and probably will be rushed there #
and when needed. the Greek Of
fenSive carries little import. other
than possible moral effect. at home
or elsewhere Greece is no match for
the modern military machine of Mus
solini. especially in the air and no.
body these days can fight war
without planes.
If left to themselves. Italy prob
ably would overcome Greece in
short order. But certainly Germany
on the one side and Brtain'S IIeet
on the other Il re available should
/. their services be required. Already
the British Mediterranean armada is
reported in action with prospects
looming of major naval battle with
II Duce's sea forces in the immediate
future.
Then there is the question mark
Of Russia. Stain may have signed
pact with Hitler in 1899. but he
cannot be ignorant of the very real
and imminent threat to his Influence
in the Balkans if the campaign now
getting under way is allowed to run
, its course. The foxy old dictator Of
the Soviet realm seemingly has been
! hoping that his near and distant
, neighbOrs would batter their brains
out against each other and leave him
free to take all the pcIngS. But he
may find it greatly to his interest to
become more active. That he fears
Hitler'S war machine has been gen
: orally supposed, but it is doubted if
I even Hitler knows the measure of
Soviet might, so that neither is
! anxious to cross with the other.
Stalin's pet hobby is the Balkans
The new menace there may draw
! him out. Turkey will hardly stanC
Z WI W "dIIil IIlt GALS SltdIll lOllci
come dangerously ever nearer. but
! will be guided in large measure by
=, advice and pledges from Moscow.
Hitler has found England a hare
; nut to crack, with increasing likeli-
! hood that he cannot do it, MuSsolini'>
|: drive against the British in Africa
. and in Egypt in particular, has bog
&ed down. So that the two may have
l. concluded to join hands in the
Mediterranean area while Hitler con-
i fines his hoStilities against England
to aerial blitzkrcigS This may be
:, the explanation of Haly'S move
against Greece. But it is only small
i part of potential developments tina
:, quite probably are on the way.
4 Hitler is forcing the submerged
=. Nlchy government of France to take
{. sides with him, but the help he viii
| get there is questionable indeed. He
: wants naval and air bases for opera.
tons against Britain. and will hardly
! call ON Frenchmen to do any fighting
|, for him.
AS the Wal spreads there is grow.
} ing suspicion that the axis group i.
|: conscious Of Stalematcs that hav,
more or less Stymied It's operation!