The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, December 19, 1940. GERMANY’S INTENTIONS.

Grey River Argus, 19 December 1940, Page 4

The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, December 19, 1940. GERMANY’S INTENTIONS.

Fresli phases of the war appear to be emerging. The form of continued, if not increased, United States help for Britain, is being outlined by the President. It amounts to this—that whatever can be sent in war materials of all sorts will be sent without any haggling over payment. That question will be left in abeyance until there is time to ascertain whether Britain will be in a position to make any return, or,

rather, replacement. This is simply the only course open if necessary assistance is to be forthcoming in time. As Mr. Roosevelt says-—-his “good neighbour” parable, now adduced in a most apposite and convincing fashion—a friend -will lend a hose if his neighbour’s property is afire and leave it for the neighbour either to return the hose if it is worth returning, or replace it with one. in good shape. The fact of the matter is that America, has nearly cornered the world’sv

gold, and in the matter of payment for her exports she wants gold. Therefore payment in that form by Britain is quite out of question. Moreover, it is a matter of the charity incumbent on the wealthy when they afford their surplus to the needy. • Thus, any anxiety as to American help in the manlier most suitable at this crisis is as good as allayed. In association with Greek arms, Britain’s have gone far to place the Mediterranean as much under her control as ever it was. That is another anxiety allayed, at least for the

present, if not permanently, and the reason for any qualification is not the likelihood of an Italian recovery, but other factors m the realm of greatci' or less uncertainty. The Germans are reported to be massing a vast army .with its face turned to the Balkans, a million men on the Austrian frontier, while a number of German troops are now reported to have embarked from Italy, some perhaps for Albania, and others for Africa. If this should prove merely a propaganda report, it nevertheless is a straw in the wind indicating what might be expected. There is also the news of German pressure upon the French, doubts being reported to exist as to whether Marshal Petain can maintain effective resistance. It is at least acknowledged now in quarters, where previously it was denied, that he is no craven and no willing cooperator with the enemy. Probably there is more imagination than fact in the bulk of the reports regarding Franco-German relations. In face of allegations after M. Laval’s dismissal that his successor, M. Flandin, was pro-German in policy, there has been no logical explanation in the further assertion that the Germans are bringing pressure to bear on Petain to reinstate Laval in power. Probably the - aged Marshal is keeping a weather eye on tjic Mediterranean with the idea of limiting enemy exactions, whereas the Germans, from their viewpoint, feel that developments in that quarter oblige them to make still more than they have done out of their defeat of the French. Few, however, will credit the suggestion that General Weygand takes now a different view of the armistice he recommended from that which he did when he declared military considerations alone compelled a truce. What can reasonably be assumed is that the French generally are as potentially a danger for Germany as are those of their number who are ranged under the standard of General De Gaulle. All of the phases above mentioned, however, remain still quite subsidiary to that which is stated to monopolise the energies of the major enemy. That is, of course, the war upon Britain itself. Invasion remains still the greatest of all perils, and preparations are stated to have been intensified during the interval since invasion attempts were evidently planned before the northern winter. It, would only be natural if the continuous air raiding has tended to interfere, with Britain’s capacity for resistance to invasion. A call has gone out for an early and substantial increase in the strength of the British Army. That it is for offensive purposes, as claimed, can be believed, but it is also for defensive purposes as well, and these in the first place. The blockades, while each is havingserious consequences, do not cancel each other, for Britain can obtain all vital requirements, as indurated by her negotiations in the United States. It is indeed the greater effectiveness of the British blockade, coupled both with the air raids on enemy territory, the reverses of Germany’s ally, and the strain on her ailstrength, which will prompt the retention of the plan of invasion. As long as the, issue is left to the arbitrament of arms, there is no reason to doubt that the menace of invasion will remain, because it will be the core of the strategy of Germany. However, the general situation is improving for Britain, and the belief still holds good that time is on her side.