ACTIVE DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23719, 27 July 1940, Page 12

ACTIVE DEFENCE

NEAR EAST POLICY " * • FIGHTING ON FRONTIERS COMPARATIVELY SMALL FORCES By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received July 20, 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, July 25 It is authoritatively stated that the British Commander-in-Chief's policy in Egypt is one of active defence. The collapse of France greatly changed the situation. In Libya the numerous and well-equipped Italian armies are no longer threatened on two fronts, but are now able to concentrate wholly on the Egyptian border, where only the lack of communications and water prevents large concentrations. Water supplies are sufficient to maintain only a very small garrison at Solium. The real military frontier is as far back as Mersa Matruh, and Bardia is the Italians' advanced headquarters. Tobruk is their natural supply base. Frontier fighting must, therefore, be with relatively small forces. Capture of Forts Barbed wire marks the political frontier of Libya and Egypt. The Italians erected a fence, together with covering forts, several years ago. The British have cut the fence and captured various forts. All the fighting was conducted in Italian territory.

Fort Capuz/.o is serving a most useful purpose for the British, because it requires frequent relief convoys, which are necessarily vulnerable and suffer losses. The British defensive policy is very wise from a military viewpoint and also conforms to Egypt's present political neutrality. The fighting zone in Kenya is very difficult to operate in. Britain lias a few posts along a frontier lightly held. It is not expected that tlicy could be defended against attack from the Abyssinian Plateau. Italians in Abyssinia Conditions in Abyssinia have compelled tho Italians to maintain large forces to keep order. These enabled tem]x»rarv enemy occupation of the north-eastern corner of Kenya, namely the Mandera triangle running between Abyssinia and Italian Somaliland. No British troops police Mandera, 1 herefore tho Italians' claim to have achieved a brilliant action is hardly well founded. The British have taken the initiative further to tho north-west of Lake Rudolf. Native troops raided deep in the enemy country and considerably damaged such military objectives as exist. Fighting in Kpnya is likely to remain of a skirmishing nature.

The situation in Palestine is quieter than for yea re.

Troops and Vehicles Destroyed

A Nairobi communique reports a quiet day, according to tho British official wireless. Yesterday our aircraft carried out reconnaissances in the Ehvak area and a small concentration of enemy troops, with a few motor vehicles, was destroyed. Tho War Office announces that Gold Coast and Nigerian troops arrived in East Africa some days ago.

The French National Committee at Cairo at its first meeting passed a resolution pledging loyal support for the British cause. A message of encouragement was sent to General de Gaulle, leader of the French National Committee in London.

ABYSSINIANS ASSEMBLE RALLYING TO EMPEROR (Received July 26, 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, July 26 The Times correspondent at Cairo says Abyssinians from all over the world are gradually converging in the Sudan to join Hailo Selassie. Notable generals have left their refuge in Palestine to support the Negus. Strong bands of guerillas who for months have been raiding Italian caravans and outposts are rallying to the Emperor. TWO PRINCESSES SHARING WAR RISK LONDON, July 20 The King and Queen, says the Dailv Mail, 1 lave rejected repeated suggestions from influencial quarters that Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose should be sent to the Dominions. These efforts have recently been redoubled because of the immediate threat of invasion, the newspaper adds, but have always met with the same reply, Their Majesties saying, in effect: — "We all have to face the common peril. Thousands of parents are forced to keep their children here, and wo prefer to share whatever family perils exist with other parents."