NORTH AFRICA'S WIDER STRATEGY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 125, 22 November 1941, Page 8

NORTH AFRICA'S WIDER STRATEGY

Tf Britain wins a major victory in the battle now proceeding and advances on Libya and on all that Italian North African territory which adjoins French North Africa, then i the Berlin-inspired deposition of General Weygand by the Vichy Government will assume additional importance. Indeed, Berlin may have been minded to coerce Vichy to set rid of Weygand by a Berlin anticipation of the vulnerability of Italian North Africa to British attack So long as Axis African power can function freely in Italian North Vfrira o'nlv. that power has obvious Hsadvantages in a war against a '♦ntentiallv superior. British EsrvpHan irmy pins an actually superior British fleet. Every day that adds '<> British Middle East war power •neans a day lost to Germany in her "ttempf to reinforce her position in \ Torth Afrira and in the Mediter••nnean. hv e-pttiri<i hold of the French \frican territory and the French navy. For Germnnv this matter has become urgent. Hitler needs a poli '■»ral earthemake in France and in the emainins French possessions. This •virthqnake seems to be almost in"vitable. and the inadequately excused deposition of Wevcand is me of the preliminary cracks. Our•Rnt news show? that it is so regarded ■n America. The "New York Times" •Hrectly links Wevgand's departure with the British advance from Esrypt Ominously, the First Lord of the \dmiralty. Mr. A. V. Alexander, says rhat the situation in France is full of meaning- to the future of the war. *nd that the British Navy, while not seeking extra work, will do its best. These evidences cannot be disregarded. Hitler's political war in French North Africa is designed to outpace Britain's battle against Libya.