A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 127, 22 February 1941, Page 12

A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

The German air force is making a violent effort to interfere with the flow of British shipping along the Libyan coast. It is being successfully counteracted, however, by the British fleet and a stcath stream of traffic continues.

Free French forces have continued their successful operations in the Ixttfra Oasis district in southern Libya. In Italian Somaliland the Imperial forces have crossed the Juba River and have repulsed an Italian counter-attack.

The Australian Minister to Japan. Sir John Latham, has called on the Vice-Foreign Minister, Mr. Ohayshi. and reports state that Mr. Ohayshi stressed the need lor Australian collaboration in preventing anv aggravation of the situation in the Far East. London com ment states that the recent strengthening of British bomber forces it, Malaya and the arrival of Australian forces in Singapore are expected to have a steadying effect on the I'ar East situation. Reports in the Tokio Press suggest that Japan’s withdrawal from the tripartite alliance is a United States condition for an adjustment of diplomatic relations between Japan and America. A new post for Mr. Harry Hopkins in Washington gives him great influence on the distribution of war materials. It is suggested that this is a prelude to British-American collaboration to deprive Japan of vital war needs. The isolationist Senator Nve predicts that the United States will enter the war 30 days after the passing of the Aid to Britain Bill.