The Grey River Argus WEDNESDAY, October 8th, 1941. GERMANY ALL OUT.

Grey River Argus, 8 October 1941, Page 4

The Grey River Argus WEDNESDAY, October 8th, 1941. GERMANY ALL OUT.

A breathing spell has been enjoyed by Britain since Hitler turned against the Soviet, whose most ardent sympathisers have since been calling for the strain on the .Russians to bo relieved by a diversion upon some other front. That Britain’s aid must remain chiefly industrial is indicated, however, by the latest expert, estimates, as the British Army, ■outside of the .Middle East, isequal to no more than coastal attacks so long as it has to be on the alert against an attempt at. invasion. This nevertheless does not preclude increasing pressure being brought to bear upon the enemy in. the near future. The

United States has now gone toefar to draw back, and seems destined for the role of an arsenal for the Soviet as well as for Bri-

tain. The Americans have now begun a sea-hunt, and may yet prove to have accounted the other day for a German raider oft the Brazilian coast. The Battle of the Atlantic looms afresh as no less crucial than the Eastern Front, as many as six hundred U-boats and hundreds of planes, many of which are to-day reported in occupation of the Canary Islands, being stated to be engaged on the vital Jstretc.h between Iceland and Britain. Sinkings have lately decreased, but had the rate up to May continued, six million tons a year would be their measure, reducing Britain’s imports nearly a quarter. The year’s replacements, with American and Dominion aid, will reach a couple of million tons, and next year half as much again. Air parity with Germany is drawing nearer, but if the Russians fail to withstand the present general attack, the situation must gain in anxiety. General Smuts declared America must fight to ensure victory. and he must reckon Mr Roosevelt’s clever handling of his countrymen will pravail ar the proper time. Yet there is great opposition, and it is essential for him to. act so that the enemy may be obliged to force the issue. This the Germans have been doing, the sinkings of American vessels being doubtless designed as a test, which so far remains negative in effect, though the arming of merchantmen, extension of their range, and naval support suggest a positive re action in the long run. The Germans are almost obliged to do something calculated to bring American feeling round the turning point. If the President were precipitate, he might easilv fail to carry the country. Lindbergh stands for a much larger section than we are led to imagine. Lord Halifax, however, has created a good impression, avoiding the silly tactics of those who jibe al American isolationism. The Americans would sooner have a shooting war on the Pacific than on the Atlantic, and this fact has put a brake on. Japan, though should the United States come in, the Japanese Army would be very- apt to lake the bit in its teeth and prevent any withdrawal from the Tripartite Pact obligations. The Japanese High Command, like the German, is in a crisis liable to over-rule the Government, and that is why the Pacific situation remains so uncertain. At the moment the highlight is the drive to send the Soviet tanks, plane.; and other munitions, which have been traversing the Middle East for weeks ’in an increasing

volume. The Germans’ present aim is to cut up the Red Army into three or four isolated sections. The .move against Moscow, though on a bigger scale, resembles the recent move against Kiev, bn the Germans are also most anxious to reach the Caucasus, oilfields via the Crimea and (he opposite shore of the Sea of Azov. Hitler’s latest speech indicates lha the is staking much on this blitz. Britain and America on their part, invizage a campaign that will go on whatever the outcome of the German push, expecting that the Russians can continue resistance indefinitely, no matter how far they withdraw, so long as the United States and Britain can munition them. Presumably the Japanese are not expected to present any obstacle, but if they do, the United States must be reckoned with. If the Germans so act that direct American intervention is provoked with popular support, the Japanese could easily seize on the German provocation as a justiveation for ignoring the Tripartite Pact and stand out. Thus critics of the United States ought to realise that Mr Roosevelt is aiming to

kill two birds with one stone. Yet the “breather” will be over before the winter is over, .unless the Russians can hold the Germans. Hence the reported excitement in London over the new offensive. There is reason to hope that the Red Army will at anyrate retain its cohesion, even if risks have to be taken in the centre to relieve the flanks. The southern one will nevertheless remain subject to unremitting attack during the winter, as the climate will not be at all unfavourable for winter fighting, which is likely to see British forces as well as Russian opposing the enemy in the vicinity of the Caucasus. Summed up, the war situation is as critical as ever. It calls for the same undespairing struggle as those which, over’ came the gravest phases of the enemy’s earlier attacks. He claims this one is his greatest, so that if it be foiled, he must begin to realise he has failed.