Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-06-04
Two Axis Talks

Monday which, though entirely sepa-
rate and between different personali-
ties, undoubtedly were part of the
same picture. These organically con-
nected meetings were between the
Axis dictators, Hitler and MusSolini,
on the one hand, and between Mar
shall Petain and his African procon-
sui. General Weygand, on the other.
Both are of the highest Importance.
Hitler and Mussolini met as usual,
at the summit of the Bremen Pass,
which marks the frontier of their
respective domains The resultant
official communique stated that the
dictators and their foreign ministers
discussed 'the political situation" for
several hours But 1t is likewise
known that the chiefs of staff were
closeted with the dictators, so mill
tary matters likewise must have been
considered in detail.
While Berlin CURLY stresses the
military aspect of the conference,
Rome is more communicative and
emphasizes political implications.
Press dispatches from Italy intimate
that American intervention in the
war is considered imminent and
would threaten greatly to prolong the
struggle. From this it is deduced
that the Axis will intensity the war
in the Mediterranean, so as to weld
Europe, the Near East and North
Africa into gigantic fortress, eco
nomically able to withstand blockade
as well as strategically able to repel
any attack. Once this consolidation
is completed, the Axis will have a
secure basis on which to pass to
successful offensive against both the
English-speaking powers,
Such is the thesis sketched by
Rome press dispatches and passed
by the italian censor. The logical
deduction is that, with America an
imminent foe, the Axis dares not risk
everything on an "all-out" attack on
England combined with an equally
"all-out" naval and air campaign in
the Atlantic, at least for the mo-
ment, So devious is Axis propa-
ganda that it is impossible to predict
whether this is a calculated indis-
cretion" revealing the real line of
Axis strategy or whether it is
verbal smoke screen for another line
of action.
Even if the latter be true, there
can be no doubt that the Axis intends
to push its Mediterranean and Near
Eastern campaign with vigor and
with considerable force. 1t is in this
connection that the meeting between
Petain and Weygand becomes signifi-
cant. Weygand few unexpectedly
from Africa for prolonged conSulta-
ton with his chief. Admiral OAR
1ans furious TRADE against England,
and other official utterances of the
same nature coupled with clearly
unneutral acts, practically place the
Vichy government in the Axis camp.
Before becoming Vichy's generalissi-
mo in French North Africa, Weygand
commanded the French Army in
Syria, now the crucial point in the
Near East 1t therefore is natural
that he should be called in for per-
sonal consultation.
Although Weygand has maintained
an attitude of relative reserve, his
record and his repeated protesta-
tions of loyalty to the Marshal leave
little doubt that he will obey Petain's
orders and follow whatever policy
Vichy determines. The Vichy regime
seems to have staked its existence
upon whole-hearted collaboration
with Germany, in the expectation
that France will become the Reich's
leading partner rather than dis
credited Fascist Italy. 1t is more
than probable that, at the Bremen,
Hitler told Mussolini frankly that
Italian hopes of big spoils from
France and its empire were vain. If
so, Italy will have to acquiesce in
getting compensations elsewhere, for