Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-06-27
L. S. Fears Nazi Advance
Right to Boring Strait
Would Put Army
80 Miles From
Alaska
Nv ROBERT G. NIXON


Nv ROBERT 6. NIXON
frttN,~. service StaH Correspondent
WASHINGTON. June y The
American government lS deeply
concerned over the possibility OF q
speedy Germ victory oN'I
Russia. regarding such an cNen'u-
atty as a direct immediate threat
10 this nations safety.
The basis Of this anxiety II was
learned. is tWctold.
IA German conquest al
i Russia would place the pow
erful Nazi military machine only
30 miles from United States
continental territory the same
as The distance across the Eng
lish Channel
O-ReSponsible opinion gives
- the Russian army virtually
no hope nf holding of the
German invasion despite the
vast size of the Soviet forces,
and expects a German conquest
OF RUSSIA Nliliul wv '' 4'''i''''N'
AT BERING STRAIT
Alderman XictorX would bring
fhe Nazis 70 Rerinc Strait 30
miles across water from Alaska.
would give them an almost IN
interrupted land route for attack
on the Western Hemisphere, and
would force the United States en-
tirely 10 remap its present basic
strategy in resisting the spread OF
German military conquest.
II was learned that the United
States Pacific feet. while II can
defend this country in that ocean,
is not built 10 perform its job IN
the shallow waters Of Berlng
Strait. The United States would
have 10 depend on land forces. air
might. and small speedy torpedo
boats for defense of Alaska and
the land gateway 10 the continent
such a German victory would give.
Present Alaskan defense Is con-
Kidered almost negligible.
Russia's chances Of standing up
against the German full-scale on
slaught was stated 10 be survival
and proper use of its large air
force. and withdrawal OF the main
Russian armies into the interior.
where they might properly form
and launch an about offensive
against the German invaders.
BOTH PRoBLEMATICAL
But both of these factors are
considered highly problematical.
The Russians are said 10 have
played into Germany's hands by
putting their entire strength
in the west, directly opposing the
German advance. with little
chance Of withdrawal.
The Soviet air force while nu-
merically large. is believed 10 have
suffered heavy losses in the initial
onslaught against Soviet air
bases.
AT the same time, possible light
was thrown on the flight OF Ru-
dolf Hess. No. 3 Nazi. 10 England.
Prior 10 the invasion Of Russia,
il was learned. the Nazi party
and the German military leaders
were split on the major question
of whether 10 continue the about
offensive against England, or 10
turn about and invade Russia.
FEAR OF PURGE
The Nazi party pumped for An
invasion of Britain, while the
army LEI ders adamantly de-
manded that invasion Of Russia
come first. The army leaders
won.
Hess was head OF the Nazi party
under Hitler. His flight is be-
HeVed 10 have been prompted by
fear he would be purged.
Expert opinion, discussing the
titanic battle now raging in north
central Europe. from the Arctic
10 the Black Sea, declared the
aim of the German army is not
against the territorial. economic
or political detectives. but Al the
destruction Of the huge Russian
armies that are concentrated IN
west Russia in the Moscow TO
kiev areas.
The main German offensive APP
pears 10 be developing IN the CEN
Ter. on a line from Brest-LitovSk
10 Moscow capital of the Soviet
Union-t the area IN which is con-
centrated Russia main armed
forces. much OF IT'S industries and
the greater part Of the population.
DIVERSION ATTACKS
Subsidiary drives in the north
from the Baltic states and IN the
south in the Odessa area, were
said 10 be diversions having little
effect on the main German drive.
IL the Germans succeed m de-
etroying the nam Russian forces
N the center they viii hOld the
area west and south OF the Nolga
River.
Should Germany 10 successful
in trapping the Russian armies
west OF the Nolgs he war VIII
be virtually over for Russia. and
little resistance can be expected
m the vast hinierland leading 10
Siberia, u Vas stated --