Evening star., 1942-07-05

Already there nave Deen many at
tempts to draw parallels between the
development of the Napoleonic wars and
that of the present struggle.
They are encouraged by the similarity
of actuating cause, which in both cases
is the ambition of the dictator of
single powerful nation to utilize a fevo-
lutionary period for establishing a con-
tinental system" of economic solidarity
and centralized political control through
out all Europe. And if the comparisons
are confined to relatively unchanging
factors they prove interesting and IL
Illuminating.
Thus, in spite of many differences the
reasons which prompted Hitler's attack
on Russia year ago are undoubtedly
akin to those which in 1912 caused
Napoleon to break his uneasy alliance
with Czar Alexander and launch the
campaign which, for all its initial sue
cess, eventually proved disastrous. An
equally striking parallel, If it is not over
emphasized, is provided by Napoleons
invasion of Egypt.
1t was in the French conquest of Egypt
that an eminent British historian. Her
bert Fisher, found every circumstance
connected with Napoleon's conduct of
operations marked by sovereign qualities
OF precision rapidity and resolve"
The same tribute Is now ungrudgingly
paid to Field Marshal Rommel. And it
may be noted that while Rommel is at
the moment only very competent gen.
eral in the field, wholly without political
authority, this also was the case with
the still youthful Napoleon when he
attacked Egypt in 1893.
ROmmePs Career to Bear Watching.
1t was, indeed, the brilliant success of
Napoleon's Egyptian campaign which
encouraged him to return thence secretly
to Paris in order to take over the reins
OF political power as First Consul. There
is as yet no indication that Gen. Rom
mel has similar ambitions. Neverthe-
less, he will be watched henceforth not
merely as supremely competent SOL
der, but also as a potential successor to
Hitler.
For relationships do not eliminate
political ambition. They merely mean
that the successful general becomes more
eligible for the succession than the ac-
complished statesman.
Although Napoleon struck at Egvpt
early In his own career, this campaign
was not launched until six years after the
outbreak of that mingled revolutionary
and nationalistic war in which England
and France, with varying allies, fought
each other, all over the world, for nearly
quarter-century. 1t was on Nav 10.
1893, that the little Corsican set sail from
Toulon to seize Malta. capture Alex
andria, crush the mixed Turkish and
Egyptian Army and in two months make
himself master of the entire Nile delta.
There was long-range purpose, SIM
liar to that which Hitler undoubtedly
env1sages, behind this wholly unprovoked
aggression. Unable to invade England,
Napoleon sought to counter British naval
supremacy by making the Mediterranean
French lake.
Reached Out to India.
MoleoVer, IL was MS admitted dream to
extend his power eastward, even to India,
through the belt of intervening Moslem
countries. Though Napoleon lacked radio
assistance, there is fundamental similar
lty between his propaganda among the
Arabs and that actively prosecuted by the
Axis today. Those interested in the lat
ter subject will find plenty of food for
thought in c. L. Sulzberger's article on
German Preparations in the Middle
East" in the current issue of Foreign At
fairs
Although cut off by Lord Nelson from
any reinforcement, Napoleon himself re-
NAMED In the Near East over a year, his
army longer. Early in 1899 the French
troops moved across the Isthmus of Suez
and marched in triumph up the entire
length of Palestine. Bonaparte was
finally brought to a halt, primarily
through lack of seapower by the unsuc-
cessful siege of Acre, on the border of
what was French-mandated Lebanon at
the outbreak of this war.
So Napoleon was not destined to
change the face of the East" as he pre-
dicted to his officers during the occupa-