Evening star., 1941-05-11
AxisExpecting
U. 5. Entry Into
Conflict Soon
Fascist Newspapers
Report Intervention
Is Matter of Weeks
Es u { Associated Press.


Es u { Associated Press.
Expectations grew in Axis cap
itals last night that United
States Intervention in Europe's
war was approaching, and evi-
denceS of uneasineSs were
mingled with signs of prepara-
ton for the event.
While German leaders gave the
deepest attention to American de-
velopments and the impression grew
in Berlin that war agitators" were
gaining ground in the United States.
Fascist newspapers made great
display of reports that American in
tervention IN the war is only mat
ter Of weeks. if not days.
Appeals to American People.
Prominent among them was
Premier Mussolinis own newspaper.
II Popolo d'Italia, which called on
the American people Ito show by
facts that Congress can not kid the
country" if it did not represent
American feelings.
If it did, the newspaper asserted
the people would be "co-responsible
for decisions which Congress takes"
Mario Appelius. Fascist COM
mentator who wrote the article.
asked. however. whether President
Roosevelt would leave the decision
on entrance into the conflict TO
Congress or would prefer TO cause
an accomplished fact with a broad
side from one of his naval patrols"
Portions of the German press took
a serious view of matters. and the
words of American speakers were
studied as the possibility of United
States entry into war became the
subject of increasingly intense con-
lecture.
Continental Defense Planned.
Among the reactions was the
repetition OF suggestion in Berlin
that Europe must become a unit in
to the Anglo-SaXon
world. Germans argued that the
blockade and other mechanisms of
war made the whole continent the
victim of attacks aimed at the Axis.
There were indications that
France was being considered as a
part of this unity program and
that she must cooperate in op-
posing any coalition of powers
against Germany and Italy.
The well-informed commentary
Dienst aus Deutschland called at
tention to statement attributed
to Fernand de Brinon. Vichy's Am
bassador to Paris. that United
States entry into the war would
impose upon Europe the common
task of preparing common de-
fenSe.'
DNB, the official German news
agency, said in dispatches to Swift
zerland that this remark had been
made by French Vice Premier Jean
Darlan to United States Ambas-
sador William D. Leahy. The United
States Embassy promptly denied the
report, and Admiral Leahy himself
said the question never had arisen
In his talk with Admiral Darlan.
In another dispatch to Switzer-
land, but not carried in Berlin.
DN.B. quoted NJ. de Brinon as say
ing France still has a navy ready
for fighting. and that force will be
necessary if the United States in
tends to occupy Dakar, French West
Africa.
Reich Confident in Allies.
There was evidence that official
Germany had confidence in the
of her alliances. Japan
was counted on to stand by, and it
was insisted again that the Reichs
relations with Russia remained mu-
tuslly helpful and cooperative.
The newspaper AnZeiger, under
a headline, Jimmy Roosevelt is in
the war already" carried this COM
ment:
James Roosevelt, in Cairo, was
as saying the United States
hasn't sent any troops around, but
for practical purposes America is
in the war.
children and fools usually tell
the truth, although in this in
stance it is the wishes of certain war
agitators which are naively re-
peated."
The same paper also repeated the
notion often brought forth by the
German press that the main aim of
James father, President Roosevelt,
is to fall heir to the British Empire
if it collapses under German blows,
and particularly to get possession of
the British fleet.
Extension of War Seen.
Virginio Gayda. the authoritative
Fascist editor who often reflects II
Duce's thoughts, said in II Giornale
dItaiia that extension of the war
could be seen from the American
attitude, with British optimism" in
tended to mislead Americans and
drag them into war.
He then listed three points in
what he described as an upset In
Britain's position in the Mediter-
ranean as a result of Axis victories
in Greece. They were:
l. Loss of any possibility of get
ting supplies. from the Black Sea
because of German occupation Of
the Greek island of Lemnos near
the Dardanelles.
2. Freedom of movement for Axis
shipping from the Black Sea to
the Adriatic through Greek waters.
3. The British fleets loss of free
dom of movement and uselessness
Of the British naval base in Suda
Bay, Island of Crete, because of
nearby Axis bases.