STRUGGLE FOR OIL.

Evening Star, Issue 24047, 20 November 1941, Page 8

STRUGGLE FOR OIL.

Reports of renewed German pressure along tho Sea of Azov, with Rostov as the chief immediate objective, probably indicate a desire on the part of the invaders to thrust forward that particular prong towards the Caucasus at the same time as an attempt is made to drive through Kerch and right across the straits to tho mainland. Possession of the Donetz basin, even if tho Russians carry out their “ scorced earth ” policy with their accustomed thoroughness,, must be of some advantage in pursuance of a campaign against the oilfields. The Germans anticipate that the crossing of the Kerch Straits would present no serious problem, and they are possibly right. They should also be proved accurate in their prognostication that the British will take over the defences of the Baku oilfields. Indeed, the British forces in that locality may bo stronger than the Germans think. It is here that the next best thing to the creation of a second front against the Nazis can be achieved, and it is certain that Britain will wish to take full advantage of such an opportunity to deal the common enemy a crushing blow at this end of tho long Eastern front. If the enemy succeeds in crossing the Kerch Straits and makes any appreciable progress down the shores of the Black Sea towards the oil region, contact with the British will bo inevitable, and this time, in consideration of the R.A.F. assistance now available to our forces, the terms of combat will be much more oven than in the case of any previous clash. On tho diplomatic side it may bo said that what is happening in Turkey has some bearing on the attempted invasion of the Caucasian oilfields. The Nazis have for some time been exerting strong pressure on Turkov with tho object of enlisting her active or passive help in a move south of thet Black Sea to outflank Russia’s southern defences and to reach the Caucasus. But. principally because of tho removal of German influence from Iraq, Syria, and Iran, tho Turks are now' in a better position to resist the German overtures than they were just after tho collapse of Greece. There is still good , reason to hope that Ankara will realise

the wisdom of holding herself aloof from the Axis camp and of making a stand that will in sumo way, if not actively', help Britain undo Russia. One of tho more sinister pieces of news to-day is the 1 Daily Telegraph ’ report that 30,000 French troops are waiting in Salonika tor a chance to rcoccupy Syria. It is likely enough that tho Germans will have warmly encouraged some such move, and that, if it does eventuate, it will bo made to synchronise with an attempted Nazi advance on Datum.