Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1939. THE WAR GAME.

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1939, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1939. THE WAR GAME.

|JP to the present time, the war between the Allies and Germany,—apart from the opening episode in Poland, —may be likened to an amateur wrestling match, there being an almost-total absence of the “all-in” tactics which usually characterise an encounter between professional matmen. The scale of hostilities, so far, cannot be compared with that experienced during the Great War, although it was often predicted that the outbreak now in progress would be many times more terrible. Even allowing for the fact that the immensely-strong fortifications on the Western front, the Maginot and Siegfried Lines, have completely changed the conditions as they were in 1914, it is apparent that neither side has yet seriously applied the great forces at its disposal. So far as the Allies are concerned, it is recognised that their most-promis-ing policy is that of Micawber, as the longer they wait the more will turn up in the way of results from the sea blockade of Germany 's essential supplies, without which it is impossible for any army successfully to conduct a prolonged campaign. While Allied commerce flows on in a steady stream, in spite of U-boats, the German mercantile marine has disappeared, and supplies secured elsewhere cannot possibly be adequate for war-time requirements.

While awaiting Britain’s reply to his suggestion for a peace conference, Herr Hitler talked freely and forcibly regarding the “fight to a finish’’ which he would launch if the Allies rejected his

proposals. They were definitely rejected, as he himself must, have anticipated, having regard to the form in which they were made, but the Fuehrer has not yet directed the full fury of his legions against the Allies. It is true that the Germans have made one attack upon the positions held by the French, but. it was not on the scale which Herr Hitler’s statements had given ground to expect, and reports show that the enemy paid dearly for their slight advance; also that the latter was due in great measure to the fact that the French retired in accordance with their previouslyarranged strategic plan. It is also reported that Herr Hitler ordered the attack, against the wishes of the High Command, the latter having been described as favouring an early cessation of hostilities, realising that the longer peace is delayed, the more-serious will become the position of Germany. One interpretation of Herr Hitler’s move is to the effect that, if he could drive the French troops from German soil, his military prestige in the West would be restored, and he would then .regard the moment as opportune to launch another peace offensive. Judging by the result of the first assault, however, the task of dislodging the French will be exceedingly difficult. There is as yet no indication that the Fuehrer has any intention of dismounting from his dictatorial horse, but the longer he rides the greater the danger of “coming a cropper.” There is little doubt that Herr Hitler, now realising his blunder in bringing into operation the Allied guarantees to Poland, would be greatly relieved if the United States or Italy, for instance, offered to fill the role of mediator between the belligerents; but there is no chance of this, until he radically changes his attitude. Mr. Roosevelt has declined to comment on peace conference hints, unless they are made under the official auspices of the Nazi Government, while Signor Mussolini has made no definite proposals to the Allies, although the Italian Ambassador has assured Britain that Italy’s good offices are always available, if the belligerent Governments should desire to end the war. It is expected in some quarters that the conference held at Stockholm between the Kings of Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and the President of Finland, will result in some action in the direction of appealing for an armistice. The troubles and dangers facing these neutral countries, as a result of the war, must incline them strongly in the direction of an endeavour to secure a peace conference, but, without the assistance of the United States or Italy, they are not likely to carry much weight. There seems to be no escape from the conclusion that the issue rests with Herr Hitler. If he desires peace, he must be prepared to meet the Allies’ terms.