The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-10-05
WORRIED DlcTAToRs

% T. " aNhNA 49, -
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5. 1910
WORRIED OlcTAToRs
The suddenly-arranged meeting
between Chancellor Adolf Hitler
and Premier Benito Mussolinl
looks like a capstone on a pyra'
mid Of increasing evidence that
the two dictators are seriously
worried over the course Of the war.
Italy. in particular has every
reason to feel grave concern over
its future prospects Germany
While still a very formidable mill
tary power, has seen its plans Tor
the conquest OF Britain 90 awry'
while its vital supplies OF petro-
leum, copper. rubber and other
sinews Of war are dwindling daily.
Therefore, the two Axis lead
ers may be seeking some new plan
OF campaign that may snare a thus
far elusive victory. 1t is probable
that some dramatic move such
as the throwing Of a large share
of Germany's air strength into the
Italian campaign or a German
push into the Balkans may be the
result.
The Italian campaign against
Britain in North Africa-aimed
eventually at cutting Britain's life
line through the Suez Canal
seems definitely to have begged
down in the sands OF Egypt, just
as that OF Napoleon did more than
a century ago. Italy's supply col
umns. stretching IS miles through
the desert, are constantly harassed
by British bombers and naval fire.
II Duce's troops have reached Sidi
Barrani-and apparently are able
70 get no farther.
Following their quick, dramatic
crushing OF France and the low
countries IN the spring and early
summer, the Nazi military chief
tains announced that Britain would
be conquered by September Is.
That date has passed and-accord-
ing TO reliable reports to the State
and War Departments-German's
chances OF successfully invading
the United Kingdom before winter
have virtually vanished.
Thus Germany and Italy face the
prospect Of feeding and housing
during the winter some 100000
bored and FESTIVE soldiers, whose
morale and will to war probably
will be seriously weakened by
long inactivity. The present plan
Of campaign-in the air against
Britain and by land in North Afri-
ca-shows no prospect Of employ
ment for the great Axis war ma
chimes Meanwhile. the feeding Of
large captive populations through
the winter poses another serious
problem. Nictory-or at least dra-
matte successes-seem imperative.
There are several possible moves
open 10 the dictators One is that
Germany, leaving enough air power
at home 70 continue occasional
raids on Britain and to protect il
self. may transfer part OF its aerial
strength TO Italy. That would be
done in the hope that the air
power Of both states. in coopera-
tion with the Italian navy, could
destroy British sea power IN the
Mediterranean and open the road
for the transfer OF large number
OF land troops TO North Africa for
a smashing blow against Egypt
aHd tha- SHez Canal.
The Axis powers" may push into
the Balkans to gain control over
oil and wheat for. vast offensive
against Britain next spring, or
with the cooperation OF Spain.
they may attempt to take Gibral-
tar by land and cut Britain's Med
iterranean lifeline TO North Afri-
ca and the Far East.
Meanwhile, the frantic search for
Allies conducted by the Axis"
powers during the last two weeks
IS an obvious indication Of anxiety.
The signing OF the Berlin-Rome-
Toxic pact appears TO be an ef-
fort to intimidate the American
publican effort that has failed.
Public reaction pouring into Wash.
lngtOn indicates that the alliance
merely stiffened American determ-
ination TO protect United States
treaty rights in the Far East.
As for Russia the one remain
ing neutral military power in
Europe-it IS obvious that both
Berlin and Toxic are making every
effort to draw Stain into an al
lance. or at least into guaran-
tee OF benevolent neutrality.
Meanwhile, American Ambassa-
dor Laurence Steinhardt in Moscow
Is having a series OF highly sig
nificant conversations with Soviet
Premier '. v Molotoff. These
are not aimed. officials say. at any
sort OF alliance. But both Amer
lea and Russia are Pacific powers
with a keen interest in Japanese
expansion.
They might find An understand
ing mutually advantageous.