Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1940 BEFORE THE BATTLE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 September 1940, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1940 BEFORE THE BATTLE.

IJNLESS something sensational happens in Britain, meanwhile, public attention will be most drawn, during the next few days, to the happenings in Egypt and the Mediterranean. Reports agree that a clash between the British and Italian armies is imminent, and Mr. Menzies warned Australia that the 'A.I.F. may be lighting “at any moment.” Australian Ministers take their people into their confidence, on such matters, quicker than do (New Zealand Ministers with’ Dominion residents. Little opposition has been yet offered to the Italian advance in Africa, and some 1 anxiety is felt by some laymen, as to the ability of the ‘ British .army to withstand attack by the numerical-

ly superior foe. It is explained in military circles that the apparent acceptance of Italian aggression is more nominal than real, and that the blow will be struck by the British-,- when and where the wisest strategy dictates. Meanwhile, the R.A.F. and'the Navy are dealing effective strokes, and this pressure will increase as the land operations develop. It would be folly to hold the Italians cheaply. They have the numbers and the equipment, and have long trained for a campaign such as is developing. that a reverse at this juncture would mean disaster, the Italians may be expected to do their utmost to gain an initial victory. It may be equally expected that the British forces will, strive to deal a smashing blow, and, thus, upset all the Axis plans. The result of the first big battle will have repercussions far beyond Egypt. Nations and tribes, which are now wavering will hasten to be on the side of the victors. The respective official communiques issued from Cairo and Rome have differed greatly, hitherto, but any mystery will be dispelled when the forthcoming —perhaps present —battle is ended.

The Axis plans have gone astray since the collapse of France. It was never thought by Hitler and Mussolini that Britain, alone, would put up so great a. fight. To date, Hitler’s invasion venture has failed, so far as it has been attempted, and the Duce has not much to show for the past three months’ operations. No adequate explanation has been forthcoming as to why the Italians have not shown more enterprise. Herr von Ribbentrop has visited Rome, to confer with the Italian leaders. Neither side is in a position to reproach the other for Lack of recent achievement. It is unlikely that the Avar operations of the early future were the only topic of. discussion at Rome. The Soviet attitude, following the Balkan developments, must be causing the Axis some anxiety, and Japan’s designs on Indo-China and Dutch East Indies must be unwelcome. The effort to draw Spain into the war against Britain must also have been discussed. General Franco, himself, is believed to be opposed to such action, but a strong group in Spain is more bellicose. Italy’s relations with Greece appear to be less strained, but the result of the fighting in Egypt will decide Italian policy towards Greece. German aid to Italy, aerial, and military, may have been asked, or offered. There is no doubt that the Axis principals found much to talk about, and it will not be long before the trend of the discussions will be revealed to an expectant world. The developments in France and in French Morocco cannot be to Axis liking, and, generally, the fact that von Ribbentrop thought it necessary to go to Rome for heart-to-heart talks with the Duce, was significant.