Evening star., 1941-01-04
Hit|er's Words Bold, but Vague
Embarrassment and Hesitation Seen
In fuehrer's Boast Of Final Victory

more to convince Gen. John MetaXaS
of Greece to make peace with Italy
on advantageous terms and were
disappointed. German and Italian
air forces are now reported to be
shifted from the North Sea to the
Mediterranean. Whatever happens
tomorrow, the delay of German re-
action is very slow indeed
Wrangling With France.
1t is best Illustrated by the wrang-
lings between victorious Germany
and vanquished France. It has
come to our knowledge that, in the
first days of December, Pierre
Etienne Flandin and George Bonnet
then in PariS) and Paul Baudouin
(Who, until yesterday. was secretary
OF state to the presidency of the
CounciD. Banded themselves against
Laval and had something to do with
the overthrow of the later. Bonnet
and Flandln at any rate, are tools
IN the hands of German authorities.
How were they left free to plot
against the man who had obviously
lngratlated himself with Hitler and
was willing to conclude a treaty
which the dictator regarded as help
full to his cause?
What followed is still more sur
prising. Otto Abetz came TO Vichy
and persuaded Marshal Petain to
receive the former vice president
of the council, but that attempt at
a reconciliation, engineered in the
German interest, only succeeded in
widening the breach. At that point,
the natural course would have been
for Hitler to state his terms and
compel the marshal TO answer yes
or no.
Hitherto, He has not done any,
thing of the kind. He received
Admiral Darlan on December 25,
but diplomatic sources do not con-
firm that the latter brought any
definite proposals to him. On the
contrary, there is reason to believe
that he merely suggested some
changes of procedure: For instance
that, henceforth, no full-fedged
French Minister should engage in
discussions with an Ambassador like
Abetz. but with his opposite number
among the Nazis, etc.
Hitler Has Been Careful.
Again and again came news that
German note embodying German
requirements had reached the
French head of state and that he
would have to take the Conse-
QuenceS Of a refusal But: until
two or three days ago. at any rate.
the Germans had not moved Is it
because they apprehend lest the
French generals in North Africa
should break loose from Vichy or
realize that the trend Of French
public opinion can't be reversed or
ignored by the marshal and his
ministers, and have not decided to
include the whole of France under
their occupation?
To these questions no answer can
be given. Nevertheless. it is obvious
that Hitler has been careful not to
commit himself hastily to anything
that he has stayed his hand
LtG US IlOb IOi StJ lIldt. one year
ago, we were equally diSgruntled
and perpleXed BY the doings and
plannings of the Fuehrer and
reached wrong conclusions
To appreciate his conduct it
would be necessary to know more
about the activities Of the in
dustrial plants in Germany and in
the occupied countries. The fol-
lowing hypothesis must be taken
seriously. Hitler and his advisers
may be convinced. firstly, that, in
forthcoming months, the military
power at their command will in
crease both in an absolute sense
and in relation to British military
power, which would enable them to
overcome more easily than today all
the obstacles which obstruot their
path; secondly, that they have a
good chance TO carry Great Britain
in direct assault, that all the other
undertakings into which they might
plunge are to be regarded as Secon-
Diary shows and they had better
concentrate on the main objectives,
not scatter their attention and their
forces, West, South and East.
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