The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1940. On The Chequerboard

Northern Advocate, 15 November 1940, Page 4

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1940. On The Chequerboard

rynQDAY \S news, is of a diversified'and extremely interesting I character. Pieced together, it makes an informative picture ■of the war situation. It is plain that consideration of one aspect of the war without thought of other aspects, is likely to produced , a distorted and unreliable view. \< For-the moment, the aerial raiding of Britain, while still on a serious scale, is relegated somewhat to the background by developments in Europe, especially in the south-eastern portion, where Greeks and British have been dealing deadly blows to the Italians. The developments in this theatre of the war during the past week have given a new complexion to the general outlook of the war.

Whether it be true or not that Italy initiated the attack on Greece without the concurrence of Germany, the fact remains that the attack has had serious effect upon the plans of the Axis Powers. Not only have the Greeks been able to drive the Italians back into Albania, but Britain has secured a base in Crete, and been enabled not only to make important naval dispositions-in Greek waters, but to land a large expeditionary force to co-op'eratc with the Greek Army. The possession of a base has allowed Britain to make good use of her Fleet Air Arm, and, as was reported yesterday, a deadly blow lias been struck at, the Italian Fleet lying in Taranto Harbour, where it is reported that half of Italy’s battleships have now been put out of action. This in itself is a most important development, for, as has been emphasised time and again, the existence of the Italian Navy, even if sheltering behind the defences of strongly-guarded ports, has to a large extent immobilised British warships which, could well be occupied in other parts of the world. In The Far East

Now the balance of naval power in the Mediterranean has been definitely shifted to Britain, and we may take it for granted that further onslaughts upon the Italians will be made iu the very near future. This is imperative in view of developments threatening in the Far East, where, it is obvious, British battleships and cruisers would be of very great service. The news concerning the Far East is of a highly important character. Japan, it is reported, is preparing for a big southward push, aimed in the meantime at French Indo-China, but there is a general belief that the Dutch East Indies also constitute an objective. In the meantime, it is believed .that an attempt is to be made to isolate Singapore, the great base upon which British strategic plans in the Far East and the Pacific generally are based. It is evident that Britain is alive to thq necessity for maximum effort in this part of the world, for it is reported today that Admiral Brooke-Popham has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the newly constituted station in the Far East with his base at Singapore. This officer, who has had a distinguished career on the sea and in the air, is one who may be expected to co-ordinate to good purpose the various branches of Britain’s defence forces. 1-lis appointment, however, is particularly important in view of the reported intentions of Japan. It will therefore be obvious that if British warships can be safely transferred from the Mediterranean to the Far East, a big step will have been taken to secure stability in that area. Hence the likelihood that the Italian fleet will receive unpleasant attention at the hands of our navy. Russia’s A ttitude

While today’s news is impregnated with items of actual fighting of a fierce character, attention is focussed upon the conversations between the Russian Commissar of Foreign Affairs, M. Molotoff, and Herr Hitler.

M. Molotoff visited Berlin at the special invitation of the Nazi leaders, and speculation has been aroused as to the real purpose of the visit. The Russian emissary is now on his way back to Moscow, and the pancity of news regarding the conversations in Berlin is giving spice to speculation in the Press and in the street as to what was said and done by the representatives of Germany and Russia.

There are two schools or thought in this connection. One believes that the visit was designed to bring Russia into the war as an active ally of the Axis Powers. The other school holds that Russia sent M. Molotoff to Berlin to bring pressure upon Germany to secure commercial and other concessions in return for continued observance of neutrality. "Which of the schools is the better informed remains to be seen.

It is difficult, however, in the face of Italy’s experience in Greece and the British offensive against Italian strongholds, that Russia will be eager to throw in her lot with Powers whose hope of final success is seemingly diminishing.

However, piecing together the developments in the Mediterranean, in Egypt, in the Far Ease and in the Pacific, it is clearly difficult to say what Russia or any other country will do.