INITIATIVE LOST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23490, 30 October 1939, Page 10

INITIATIVE LOST

GERMANY'S POSITION ALLIES' ADVANTAGE CONFIDENCE JUSTIFIED REVIEW OF THE WAR By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received Octobor 20, 8.5 p.m.) British Wlroless LONDON, Oct. 28 The London weekly journals summarise tho position of the war to date, and make a diversity of speculations as to the future courso of hostilities. The Spectator says that a week ago confident predictions camo from Berlin of an impending visit to Germany of the Soviet Premier and Foreign Minister, M. Molotoff, and tho Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, for conversations of first moment, which would result in tho issue of a tripartite declaration no less momentous. Visits have not been paid, and tho declaration has not materialised, nor is there the least prospoct that it will. Tho intentions of Romo and Moscow, as proclaimed from Berlin, are now rarely identical with tho intentions of Romo and Moscow. This is stated to be cvidont by Italian and Russian action —or, in this case, inaction. Potential Allies Lost "Hitler, who initiated the war, has already lost tho initiative," says the Spectator. "He has also lost all hi 3 potential allies, Avith the doubtful but admittedly important exception of Russia. Neither his submarine nor aerial attacks have produced results calculated to dismay us or gratify him. "And tho winter that is now setting in will fall with far heavier vigour on the Germans in the Seigfried Line than on the Allies in the Maginot Line, and far hoavior on the German population at home than on the French and British. "Tho immense efforts for which the British Dominions are preparing have barely begun to make themselves felt, aud the amendment of the Neutrality Bill by the United States will open access to almost inexhaustible supplies of munitions. But while all this is true, if justifies a sort of facile optimism.

Swift Action Possible "Hitler is in full control of tho German people. He has now given up all liopo of a bloodless victory, and, since he cannot force a protracted war, ho may strike swiftly and hard," tho Spectator continues. "The civil and military conferences in Berlin this week suggest that. Tho war may well be about to enter another stern phase. By land, sea and air, as well as in tho diplomatic field, all tho advantages appear to be with the Allies, but itmust bo recognised that victory will only be bought by heavy sacrifice." The New Statesman says the war in the --West is so far little more than a mutual blockade. Whether the Nazi mentality can long maintain a defensive war, such as the British and French envisage, we have yet to see. Ribbentrop's violent speech, it is believed, may herald a change, or it may not. Cautious, Crafty Enemy "Hitler is a cautious and crafty enemy," says the New Statesman, "and his air marshals and generals may not wish to risk a boomerang throw. There is, at least, a chance of a further period of prudence of manoeuvres to the accompaniment of mainly economic hostilities."

Tho Economist says that it was the Allies who picked up economic warfare as the most apt instrument to penetrate tho Reich defences. It' would seem that tho enemy had duly accepted tho challengers' choice of weapons. "German attacks on the British Fleet, the lynch-pin of the Allies' stranglehold on German commerce, have so far failed, and convoyed merchant ships havo proved to be safe against the Nazi's U-boats and bombers," the Economist continues. "Now the third weapon is at work—tho fast armed raider. Tho full force of the enemy's attack above and below the water has still to bo developed. In Europe a parallel trade offensive to clamp neutrals in tho German block is going on. Neither facet of the Reich's economic warfaro reflects much success. The captured American vessel City of Flint had to bo taken by its captors to a Russian port because the approaches to Germany were barred. Small Success So Far "The wished-for hegemony of European trade can neither knock-out Britain, nor fill up tho gaps in Germany's supplies. Nor do neutrals want it." Tho .Economist recalls that Goering's own journal has forecast war raining down on the British Isles, and concludes: "Tho war wo expected may, indeed, bo coming. Nothing, however, can alter tho fact that tho Reich has had only small success so far. For the Allies the war has gone well and according to plan. Contraband control, tho rooting out of tho U-boats, tho mobilisation of two armies on the Western Front, tho loyalty of Turkey, and the enemy's continued lack of Allies—all these when set beside the promise of vast aid from tho Empire, symbolised by the meeting of tho Dominions' Ministers in London this week, amply justify tho confidence of tho speeches broadcast in tho. past few days by tho Minister of War, Mr. L. Hore-Belislia, and the Secretary for tho Dominions, Mr. Anthony Eden. 1,000,000 CIGARETTES (Received October 20, 8.5 p.m.) British Wiroiess LONDON, Oct. 28 Tho Overseas Leaguo tobacco fund has received a gift of £IOOO from Lord Nuffield who, in an accompanying letter, states: —'"I gather that this sum will bo sufficient to provido 1,000,000 cigarettes for the troops."