Evening star., 1941-03-24

blow by Germany. But in such case
Germany's initiative would only be
a senfblance of such. For several
months Britain and her Allies have
had the initiative and, consequently,
Germany's next move can only be
a reaction and not an original ac-
tion.
We must, however, presume that
Germany will commence a series
of actions in which she can make
use of new allies. The probability
of Japan's active participation in
the war has increased, and it is not
out of the question that Spain may
also come in. But Germany hopes
to gain a decisive effect if she can
succeed in concluding a military al
lance with Russia and exploiting
her as a real ally.
Russias present precarious situa-
ton tthe same military encircle-
ment at all decisive points which
threatened Poland in 1889 might
induce Stain to move for a mill
tary alliance with National Social
ism, while refraining from imitat-
ing the unfortunate part PLAYED by
Poland'S Col. Beck-he would strive
to participate in Germanys sue
ceSses for as long as possible and
avoid a German attack on his own
territory. Therefore, Russian
drive toward Iran and the Meso-
potamlan area is as much to be
reckoned with as a threat to Af-
ghanlStan. Such operations would
provide Germany with a new trump
card against Turkey, and new pair
OF plncers to replace the broken
Egyptian and Balkan ones. Turkey
would be threatened from both east
and west, while the entry of Spain
INTO the war could initiate a new
phase OF operations in the Western
Mediterranean and on the Atlantic
coasts.
New Theaters of War.
We should then see many new and
quickly changing theaters of war.
They would include a Balkan thea
ter Of war and an east Mediter-
ranean one. with a struggle for
the Aegean Sea, the communications
with Asia Minor and a fight for
the Suez Canal. Furthermore. there
would be operations in the Persian
gulf and the Mosul area, with new
bases for the U-boatS. Besides
these We should have a Malayan
theater of war. which could tie up
considerable forces of both the Brit
ish Empire and United States.
Meanwhile the North African thea
and perhaps be galvanized into new
life by the landing of German and
Italian forces.
A western Mediterranean theater
of war would be created in the area
bounded by Sicily, Sardinia, South
ern Spain, TuniS and Morocco. Here
it might be possible to establish
submarine bases and airdromes in
Vigo, Spain, and on the west coast
of Africa Perhaps there would be
struggle for the possession of
Gibraltar But these operations
NOuIu IlOG eACluue IHOIG Intensive
warfare over Britain.
Preparatory operations for later
invasion would take place and they
would not be directed solely on de-
of British war industries,
but also on the drawing of an inner
circle around the island. There
would perhaps be actions against
Iceland and the OrkneyS and even
against Ireland Meanwhile naval
warfare would take place on all the
seven seas and perhaps extend to a
universal threat to all the empires
lines of communication.
A fantastic plan, which would
Hitler Faces Risks.
hardly appear to be capable of
realization. But Hitler's aim is not
merely to achieve decisive successes
in every sphere of operations
but to occupy permanently and
certain key positions.
Even the united forces of German
Itahan-Japanese Russian alliance
would not enable him to achieve
this, but he might contrive TO do il
by causing universal unrest and by
dissipating and tying up
his opponents resources. Hitler will
in the military field the