Evening star., 1941-08-07
Reich Morale Seen
Ebbing as Campaign
In Russia Ldgs
Positive British Move
Might Turn Tide Of
War, Observers Feel
BY DAVID M. NICHOL,
foreisn CorrespSndent Of The Star and
Chicago Daily News.


BERN. Aug. IA steady stream
Of reports reaching diplomatic cir
cles here tells of unrest and counter
measures in the occupied areas from
the Atlantic coast of France to
Yugoslavia and Greece in the south
and Norway in the north and ebbing
morale In the Reich itself, as the
Nazi drive into Russia drags through
its seventh week.
Neutral observers believe the sit
uation In many places has reached
such delicate balance that posi-
tive. successful move on the part
OF the English might turn the tide
definitely in their favor for the
first time since the war began.
There. are ample indications-and
almost no confirmed facts-to indi-
cate that such an attempt may
soon be made.
The best barometer. it is believed
here, is the uneasiness in Vichy
and the urgency OF the campaign
against the Vichy government in
| the German-controlled Paris press
which is daily insisting on more
complete cooperation with the
Nazis for the defense Of Frances
colonial empire-Africa-and even
the lease lend" of the French Navy
to the German armed forces. Be-
hind it, 1t is felt, is German pressure
intended to head of some counter
stroke in the immediate future.
Considerable Speculation.
What form this might take has
been the subject of countless ru-
mors and considerable speculation
here. The Tribune of Geneva
pointed out editorially that it might
be directed against the larger pos
sibility of United States entry into
the war, but that 1t also might be
defense move against a new Brit
ish campaign in North Africa. Or,
the paper added, it might even mean
a new Axis drive against the Brit
ish empire which would require the
fuller support of France as q be-
ginning.
Most Of the evidence points to
British action in North Africa with
the possibility that 1t might extend
to Sicily and perhaps Italy itself.
There has been an apparent inten-
sification of activity in that region.
including English raids on Crete
the first since they lost the island to
the air-borne troops of Hitler.
The Italians, reduced almost to
collapse in the early spring. again
would be required to bear the brunt
of such move. Gen. Erwin Rom
mel, the Nazi military leader who
rescued Cyrenaica, at least tempo
rarily, for the Axis. is not believed
to have returned to his African COM
mand since he was called to Ger
many for conferences several weeks
ago and there are unconfirmed re-
ports here that German troops in
Africa are being steadily decreased
by illness and by Withdrawals similar
to those in Greece and parts Of the
Balkans.
Negative Achievements.
Britain. so far. has been able to
match the brilliant and smashing
ShCSCoSIo III tllC 1NdLlS Will OIlly Il6R-
ative achievements of which its very
existence is one. Gen. Sir Archibald
Wavell's campaign in Africa rocked
the world structure Of Italy. but soon
was wiped out in turn. Syria and
Iraq can in no sense be termed a
true test of arms or prestige. Some
times apparently success has been
almost within the British grasp.
There is report current in French
official circles that had the English
been able to hold Crete for two
more days the Germans would have
withdrawn. For the most part 1t
has been a question of strategic
retreats"
These have been sufficient, how
ever. to keep alive a spark Of re-
sistance in most Of the occupied ter
ritories, and the inability of the
Nazis to come to grips with the Eng
lish has spread disillusionment and
doubt in the Reich itself. The
checking Of blitzkrieg in the East
has served to crystalline these feel
ings, according to reports reaching
here.
Norway Under Martial Law.
Norway is under martial law. The
Quisling party, says an account in a
Swedish newspaper, has published .
declaration finding it ofncially
dreadful that a large part Of the
Norwegian people would prefer an
English Russian victory to q German
one in this war"
Each day brings new reports Of
disturbances in Croatia, Monte
negro and Serbia and the hunt for
Communists" which now covers
any one opposed to the Germans.
continues in almost all the occupied
and influenced regions.
In the Reich there is little pros
pect of actual disorder or violence,
but the fatigue and disillusion that
first made itself evident late last
autumn apparently is increasing.
| It's rate of growth constitutes one
more Of the time factors in the
Nazis' grim race to establish the new
order before their machine falls to
| pieces.
| (Copyrisht, 1941. Chicago Daily News. Inc.)