GERMAN OPINION

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 145, 16 December 1940, Page 8

GERMAN OPINION

ITALY'S FORTUNES

NO GROUND FOR ANXIETY

PEOPLE REASSURED

LONDON, December 15

The German Press, which has for" weeks .maintained an exaggerated indifference to the fortunes of Italy, has at last felt compelled to reassure the German public that "it will all come right in the end."

One paper tells its readers that in German opinion the situation in Greece and Egypt give no ground for anxiety. This paper adds, as if to quell doubts about Italy's capacity to recover, that the estimate of the situation is made with full knowledge of Italian war potential. The paper asks: "Why should Italy be worn down more quickly than Germany?" Then, in case its readers should think of several reasons, it asks: "Do the English really believe that Germany would merely look on while Italy is worn down?"

The paper goes on to accuse the English of deducing that because Germany has not interfered in Greece she will leave Italy in the lurch. It contents itself with exploding that supposed deduction by observing that military matters receive sober thought in Germany. Actually, of course, it is well realised in London that Germany cannot afford to leave Italy in the lurch, and that the only thing that has deferred Hitler from going to her aid has been the difficulty of doing so without involving the Axis, as a whole, in even more disastrous consequences.

It is recognised in London that a great deal of thought—not necessarily sober—must have been expended in Berlin on the subject of action to help Italy. Now it appears to be impossible any longer to hide from the German public the fact that something has gone wrong, so the Press is put up to give the following assurances: there is no cause for anxiety, or alternatively, if there is cause for anxiety Germany will put it right. Again, it seems that if things go wrong for Italy in the Western Desert and Germany cannot stop them going wrong, it will not really matter, for the Western Desert is of no importance, anyhow.

In support of this third argument the paper enlists the aid of Mr Churchill and General Wavell for their modest announcements of the operation.

MORE OPTIMISTIC ITALIAN NOTE

The Rome radio, which did not agree yesterday that there was no cause for anxiety and admitted that the situation was serious, has today become more optimistic. After expressing surprise that the British should have put up such a good show, it adds that our advance to Libya has been a grave mistake, because when the Italians overrun Egypt the British will not be able to claim that they are conducting a strategic retreat according to plan. It has aroused some interest in London to learn that the Italian retreat from Egypt with the loss of about 30,000 prisoners and vast quantities of war material is only part of a clever propaganda campaign.

A Portuguese newspaper, in an article today praising the British offensive in North Africa, expresses, the view that a decisive,, naval battle will take place if Mussolini attempts to send reinforcements to the Western Desert. The article, written by the newspaper's military correspondent, examines the changes effected by the British offensive, and praises British activity and ability. "Marlborough relives in British leaders today," says the correspondent, "and the old traditional strategy of Britain is producing its usual effect." This effect he thinks to be so important that he cannot see how Italy can now protect her communications with Africa. She will have to face a decisive battle with the British Navy or leave her African troops without further support. Britain's two enemies, the article concludes, were two colossi of civil and military organisation. She has shown that she is a worthy adversary for both. The British can defend their existence both proudly and with valour.