Evening star., 1942-03-18

ing-on place for an Allied offensive
against the Axis in Europe.
For the Germans, the Near East
is the route to India and the Japs.
It's oil Is the wars life blood, which
the Axis must control to go on. Axis
control of the Suez would mean
complete Axis control of the Medi-
terranean and the consequent re-
lease to other seas Of warships and
submarines.
For these reasons it is vital that
the Near East be held even at great
cost. Its defense is interrelated
with other war fronts. The scope
and pressure of the Axis drive in the
Near East. If 1t comes. will depend
on the Russians defensive and
offensive powers on the European
front.
Crying Need for Arms.
The Near East admittedly still is
recovering from the Libyan cam
paign and, since Japan's entry into
the war, is not receiving from Brit
ain and the United States all the
attention it was. Both Russia and
the Near East would benefit di-
rectly from the opening of a second
front. A second front between Eu-
rope and West Africa might throw
out Of gear Germany's war machine
just overhauled for a new year of
conquests. 1t might disrupt the Ger
man arms schedule and thus give
the Near East the time it needs to
gather offensive strength again.
AS on so many other Allied fronts,
the crying need here Is for more
tanks and guns, more planes, more
fighting manpower, British or Amer
lean, or preferably both. One ad-
vantage of having American troops
out here would be the beneficial in
f1uence that this would have on the
Turks and the Arab world. The
Arab countries and Egypt have
friendly feelings toward America
and Americans. The presence of
American forces in the Near East, in
the opinion Of most observers here,
would perhaps tend to make the
Near Eastern nations somewhat
more anti-Axis then they are and
this would permit greater concen-
tration on the part Of the Allies
toward meeting the anticipated
Axis offensive.
Naxi Preparations Stupendous.
From the Balkans, meanwhile,
stories trickle out Of stupendous
preparations that the Germans are
making for a spring offensive. From
Hungary and the Balkans alone
Hitler expects to have 1000 900 men
by spring-some to insure the armed
occupation Of the conquered terri
tories.
Throughout the winter Hitler has
pressed Rumania's Premier, Marshal
Ion Antonescu. for 500 900 men to be
on hand by spring. 1t Is now known
that Marshal Antonescu, after hold
ing out against further drains Of
Rumania's population, has agreed to
give Hitler 100000 Rumanians.
This compromise is believed to
have been made the middle of Feb
ruary when Marshal Antonescu paid
secret visit to Hitler at Bryansk.
The main hitch at this meeting ap-
pears to have been the fact that the
Hungarians have offered Hitler 300,-
900 men-a proportion, to the figure
requested of Rlmania. which Mar
shall Antonescu is said to have con-
sidered unfair, especially as the
Hungarians insisted that only one
third of their troops do ront-line
fighting
1t seems to be a fact, however,
that agreement was reached be-
tween Marshal Antonescu and Hit
Ter on the 100000 figure and Mar
shall Antonescu is now reported to
be the proud possessor of an arm
ored car with bullet-proof glass,
presented to him by Der Fuehrer.
Rumanians DESERVING Army.
In Rumania. meanwhile, those TOO
German instructors are trying to
improve the quality of the Ru-
manian soldiers they intend to use
in their spring offensive. The wars
drain on Rumania's male popula-
ton, which is predominantly rural,
already is having its effect on the
country's morale and food problem.
Desertions from the Rumanian
army are reported to be reaching
alarming Notwithstanding for
the Germans. The country's bread.
now corn with Is per cent potato
content. is available only five days
weekly and is rationed.
In Serbia, the Germans have
pulled out the German troops sent
there to deal with Gen. Draga Mi
hailovic and his unbeaten warriers
The Bulgarians are supposed to have
taken over. A good many Italian
troops are believed to be occupying
parts of Greece On the other hand
there are supposed to be more Ger
man troops In Italy than ever be-
fore.
Hungary Is believed to have cate
gorically refused to send Hungarian
occupational troops to Serbia, while
Offering to garrison conquered Rus
sian territory.
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