Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-05-01
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS REVIEW
Continued from Page II

NOsAAANSo AAoHi age ~
military powers became too much
for the small Greek forces.
Under the circumstances, the world
had good laugh when Mussolini
in his usual bombastic manner pro-
claimed his pride in his "brave SOL
diers" who had won a glorious VIC
tory.
He omitted reference to the fact
that whatever victory was won,
was due to the Germans, most
decidedly not to the Italians.
But, of course, for home con-
sumption it sounded reassuring.
And now that the Balkans have
been added to Hitler's conquests-
what's next?
Mediterranean.
During the last few days there
have been strong indications that Hit
Ter will try to get control of Gibral-
tar, the fort which commands the
Atlantic entrance to the Mediterrane-
an sea. 1t has been reported that he
has asked General Franco for per-
mission to let his troops march
through Spain in order to attain that
objective, and Franco who at first
was compelled to plead the impover-
ished condition of his country as a
reason for declining the German re-
quest, is now said to be more anne
nable, although there is no official
word to that effect.
But that Hitler wants Gibral-
tar, seems certainty. The doubt
existing concerns his manner of
taking it.
Likewise, it is thought that he has
the Dardanelles in mind, and the re-
ported fact that he already has oc-
cupied some small islands close to
that famous strait points in that direc-
ton.
Whether Russia will consent to
a Germ n occupation Of the
shores of the Dardanelles is an
open question. There has been
nothing coming from Moscow to
show that the Soviets are plan
ming any vigorous protest.
So, the Dardanelles will bear
watching in the near future.
Toward Suez.
Gibraltar and the Dardanelles may,
as far as is known, be considered
among Hitler's next detectives. But
they simply mark a new stage in his
planned march toward the Suez canal.
If he gets control of that and the Red
Sea, he will become a most serious
menace to India.
That is why the British fight
the G m n SO theoretically
around Tobruk in northeastern
Libya and SOlem in northwest
Egypt. Should the Germans break
through here, Suez may become
seriously jeopardized.
Many persons believe that the Brit
ish troops evacuated from Greece will
be sent to North Africa for the sole
purpose of checking the Germans in
their attempt to reach SueZ, for in
London it is realized that this is a
point of most vital Importance.
Cooperation.
A link in the German plans to
paralyze Great Britain if it can be
done is so-called cooperation with the
Vichy government of unoccupied
France. Cooperation in this connec-
ton means simply complete subju-
cation. Admiral Jean Darlan, a men,
Der of the Vichy government, has been
in Paris to negotiate with the Ger
man authorities about this, but as his
first trip was made in vain, he may
make another this week. 1t is clear
that Hitler is in no mood to accept a
mo" from Vichy.
The great and long threatened Ger
man spring offensive is on full blast,
and its one overtowering goal is the
crushing of the British empire. Win
ston Churchill said Sunday that the
onopiro cirpp1v coppof bo or,,ehod