Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-22
Axis Conference

The European members of the Axis
and their satellites are comforting
again. They have plenty to discuss,
for things have not been going well
for them of late. Nothing can better
illustrate the change in the general
war situation than a comparison
with the previous meeting last April.
Then, the Axis big shots, Hitler and
Mussollnl, met to make offensive
plans which subsequently eventuated
in the drives which carried Axis arms
to stalingrad and almost to Alex
andria. Today, the offensive has
passed to the United Nations, and
the Axis leaders are striving to.
organize measure of defense.
Perhaps the most significant
aspect of this Axis meeting Is that
Mussolini was not among those pres
ent. Repeatedly broken in both
health and spirit, the erstvhile
vainglorious Duce's place was taken
by his son-in-law, Count Ciano,
fanked by General Cavallero, chief
of the Italian general staff, who met
their German opposite numbers at
Hitler's headquarters In an undis-
closed place. Undoubtedly, one Of
the main topics was Italy's parlous
plight menaced as that unhappy
country Is by Allied air lombard
nents on vast scale as the prelude
to possible invasion, once the last
Axis footholds in Africa have been
broken.
Italy certainly needs large-scale
help from her German ally. Moth
ing short of extensive shifts of Ger
man planes and anti-aircraft units
to the peninsula can hope to stay
the devastation of Italian cities by
British and American bonbers. A
large proportion of Italy's best troops
and equipment either have been lost
in Africa or are engaged on the Rus
sian front and In holding down the
rebellious Balkans. The Black Shirt
militia may be able to repress dis
content at home, but would hardly
be able to confront British and
American troops. That task may
have to be supplemented by German
ground forces. Thus, in the Axis
setup, italy tends to become more
and more of a. liability.
Almost as significant as the absence
of Mussolini from these confer
ences was the presence of Pierre
Laval. The French Quisling appar-
emily sat below the SALT" as the
saying goes. His part in the pro-
ceedings was almost CONTEMPORARY
played down by the German press.
Nevertheless, the Axis needs French
collaboration" as never before, and
is determined to get it, If not through
Laval, then through other agents
like Deaf or Doriot, who have long
openly voiced their eagerness for the
unsavory Job. Laval must be in the
toughest spot of his checkered career.
Once, he might have hoped to bargain
with assets such as North Africa and
the French fleet. Now these are out
of his hands and he must either
deliver the goods demanded or make
way for other aspirants.
AS italy falters and Vichy fades,
Germany becomes the sole remain
ing reality of the European end OF
the Axis. It is German manpower
and equipment that must increas-
ingly bear the burden of war. But
those human and material resources
are continually whitfield away from
the Russian steppes to the hills of
Tunisia and the sands Of Tripon
Germany is still strong and capable
of desperate deeds. Yet the outlook
is not bright as the year draws to-
| ward its close.