AXIS THREAT IN EAST

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 126, 21 February 1941, Page 7

AXIS THREAT IN EAST

N.Z. Right Flank Of Defences POSSIBLE MOVES LON’DON. February 20. I u a broadcast talk today the wellknown commentator on foreign affairs, Mr. H. V. Hodson, discussed the recent arrival of Australian troops at Singapore in the light of possible moves by the partners iu the Tripartite Fact. Eight months ago, he said, Australia, in common with all tile world, had her eyes turned toward Britain. France had just fallen and Britain awaited invasion, or at least terrible hammer blows. There were manyFrance, Germany. Italy and even Hie United States —who doubted if Britain could withstand tbe assault. Like Queen Victoria, “we were not interested in tlie possibilities of defeat; we did not consider it,” said Mr. Hodson. And Britain came through. "Now.” Mr. Hodson went on, "the eyes of tlie world are turned to the Far East. Can the British Empire there pull through in the face of the threat which now appears to be rising? Now it is Australia. New Zealand and Singapore, with the Dutch East Indies, which are in Hie forefront. You people out there have the same confidence in yourselves that we had, and will pull through, if needs be. iu the same way."

What would happen if Japan, at the behest of her German and Italian partners, pitchforked herself into tlie war? Mr. Hodson asked. New Zealand would become the right Hank o.f the Empire defensive line stretching across to Singapore and guarding the eastern approaches to the Indian Ocean, across which lay many vital Empire communications. Australia and New Zealand were the necessary buttresses of Singapore, and enhanced the importance of the Gibraltar of the East. "Australia lias a second importance in that Singapore, though strongly placed for supplies from rich hinterland. can bo munitioned from Australia entirely without recourse to Home supplies." he added. "It can be seen therefore that Empire defence in the East is merged into one. The arrival of Australian forces at Singapore is an elementary move of strategy. Tlie tirst principle of warfare is to keep the enemy from your own shores. That is why Australia's troops are moved to Singapore. That is what Australian troops have been doing in the brilliant moves in Libya. Australia’s frontiers are on Hie Mediterranean anil at Singapore. "While Hitler and his partner are working energetically to embroil Japan, what does he really intend to do? Obviously one move is a drive through Bulgaria to Greece and the Aegean, lie is still able to bamboozle neutrals just as a snake still hypnotizes a bird. He may be able to hypnotize Bulgaria, but what will be tlie intention of a drive to the Aegean? It might be thought that lie intends to slab Greece in tlie back and release the forces of Italy for their proper function. that of lighting Britain." Mr. Hodson said he did not think that Hitler would be expending the effort he was obviously making in the Balkans for that. “No. He is preparing to strike at his true enemy, Britain. He is out first to deprive Britain of a possible foothold on the European Continent. Secondly, he hopes to establish ,-i base for a stroke in the Middle East, and thirdly he intends to lie up a big Allied army.

'This third end is only ;( parallel to Ills action when lie invaded Norway. Then lie imped to tie up an Allied army there while lie struck through Holland and Belgium. As Norway was to England and France so is Greece to tlie shores of tlie Eastern Mediterranean. That 'is wily Hie Empire in Hie East is vitally concerned with the Middle East theatre of war."