Evening star., 1941-09-04
Third OF a Series.)
By JOHN r. WHITAKER,

|
Chicago Daily News.
HITLER R-MUSSOLINI STRATEGY.
The historical and only meeting
between President Roosevelt and
Prime Minister Churchill did not
take place until this August-almost
two years after the commencement
Of hostilities. Hitler and Mussolini
met to discuss exactly the same
problem last winter and they met
not once but many times.
The problem discussed by the
democratic and by the Axis leaders
alike was Americas role in the war.
1t has long been plain to statesmen
of their stature, as 1t ought to be
to the man in the street, that the
decision lies between Germany and
| America-that one or the other
must win this war.
Early last fall before the American
presidential election German and
italian propaganda thumped for
WendellWillkie, Republican nominee.
Goebbels' poisoned pens described
Mr.. Roosevelt as "deformed Jewish
hireling Of the armaments COM
panies and the banks" who wanted
to bring America into the war so
that he could become dictator. II
Roosevelt were elected, they said,
American boys would be transported
to the battlefelds Of Europe. And
1t was a great shame, said Axis
propaganda, because Hitler secretly
loved America and invasion was q
fantastic dream.
Foresaw Roosevelt Victory.
This propaganda was tissue OF
lies based on the near certainty, as
fifth columnists reported, Of Mr..
Roosevelt's reelection and on
preparations already being made by
Hitler and MusSolini for war against
America.
In this period had one of
many interviews with Count Galeaz-
20 Ciano, Mussolin's son-in-law and
Foreign Minister. I thought what
he said interesting.
II am absolutely certain Of Roose-
velt's election" he said. so are the
Germans"
why then does Axis propaganda
attack President Roosevelt and de-
scribe Willkie with enthusiasm?'
demanded.
For exactly that reason" replied
Count Ciano. Because we know
that Roosevelt will win the election.
But don't think we don't understand
Willkie. Willkie Is a Republican
and the Republicans are your tradi-
tional war party, the real imperial
lists of America.
'Willkie will take you to war as
soon as Roosevelt. The man doesn't
matter. Your interests involve you
in this war. Either the totahtarian
powers or the democracies must pre-
vail"
Saw U.S.-Germany Showdown.
That is the way Axis leaders were
thinking last fall. They knew the
ultimate and decisive showdown had
to come between Germany and
America-the greatest Of the democ-
racies. Their propaganda was de-
signed to persuade the American
public that 1t was not necessary or
to the interest of America to go to
war, that war was something Roose-
welt personally wanted for personal
reasons.
This was doubly cynical, since one
Of the most important of the Ger
man diplomats told me that Mrs
Roosevelt was a profound pacifist
that she had a great influence or
the President and that Hitler felt
convinced that Mr.. Roosevelt would
never lead the United States into
war before America was attacked.
The greatest secrecy surrounded
Hitler's various talks with Mus
solini through the winter. And
vet within a few days or weeks OF
each of them important Germans
and Italians knew most of what
happened or the substance Of the
conversations always leaked out.
Facing the threat Of an awaken
ing America, which was talking at
least about producing armaments
In mass, Hitler and Mussolinl
found that England wouldn't col
lapse. When France collapsed. both
expected Britain to capitulate. When
Britain would not capitulate, both
undertook terroristic mass bomb
ing.
Concentrated on Britain.
II Mr.. Churchill were a stub
born "warmonger"-the only man
who stood between Hitler and
peace-the British people would be
bombed into submission. Hitler and
Mussolini cared nothing for Amer
ican reaction to the mass bombing
of civilians, because they knew they
had to defeat America to win in
any event. Their problem was to
knock out Britain before America
could enter the war.
Had they bombed military objec-
tives they might have starved Brit
ain out, but they bombed civilians
and that only raised British mo-
rale to the most stubborn heights
ever reached by desperate people
fighting with its back to the wall
and alone.
Meeting In midwinter, Hitler told
Mussolini frankly that they were ir
for a long war and that Anrerics
was to be their principal foe. He
outlined a joint plan. The Axis hat
to clear the Mediterranean, take
the Balkans and the Near East
with Suez. Then Germany woulc
conquer Africa and establish U.
boat and bomber bases along tht
whole littoral of the South Allan.
| tic.
Just as the combination Of sub.
| mersibles and planes was destroy.
ing commerce in the North Allan
tic, so it would close the South
Atlantic Britain and America to.