HITLER'S SCHEMES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23993, 17 June 1941, Page 7

HITLER'S SCHEMES

ALOOF FROM SYRIA LIBYA MAY BE NEXT TARGET TRAP NOT LIKELY TO WORK LONDON, June !) What is Germany's game in apparently ignoring the movement of British and Free French troops into Syria? asks Gordon Gilmour, special staff correspondent of the Sydney Sun. He adds: Remembering the German technique of thrusting with maximum force, punching terrifically and not caring how colossal the losses may be, the soundest authorities, seeking a reason why the Germans have so far hardly used a catapult against us in Syria, turn studious eyes to the Russo-German frontier. Unquestionably a hundred mighty German divisions are poised there threateningly. May be Great Blufi It is fairly clear that Hitler is anxious to remove Russia forthwith as a military menace, to obtain a wide range of economic concessions and enable a freer hand against Britain. If it is a magnificent German bluff, the question is how long Stalin can resist the pressure—it is not considered conceivable that Russia will resist militarily. Yet there are these further considerations: — (1) The German-sponsored uprising in Irak went off half-cock, ill-timed, and failed. (2) The Allied entry into Syria possibly occurred slightly ahead of the German schedule. (3) Germany, which doubtlessly is fully prepared for another spring, following Greece and Crete, may be planning its main offensive against Libya, which might explain the intensive air raids on Alexandria. Therefore, the enemy might hope that we will send a powerful force into Syria and become engaged with the proVichy elements of the French army, with the possibility of weakening our defensive forces in Libya. It is not likely, however, that Sir Archibald Wave!! would fall into this trap. Weygand's Obedience The mystery of Weygand's attitude can be cleared up. We are no longer inclined to regard him as a ''good boy." He remains obedient to Vichy, if only in taking the line of least resistance. Most reports suggesting Weygand's pro-British tendencies emanate from Berne (Switzerland), and are designed to persuade America that it is perfectly safe to send cargoes to North Africa, where Weygand is in command. JAPANESE BOMBING IL4ID ON CHUNGKING AMERICAN GUNBOAT HIT (Reed. 8.35 p.m.) CHUNGKING, June 16 Japanese aeroplanes heavily bombed Chungking. Damage was done to the United States gunboat Tutuila, and the American military attache's office was wrecked. The Tutuila is a river patrol ship of 370 tons, built in 1927. She carries two 3in. guns and ten machine-guns. Her complement is 58. MONEY FOR WAR AUSTRALIAN EXPENDITURE GREATER TAXATION LIKELY BRISBANE, June 16 The Federal Treasurer, Senator A. W. Fadden said that by the end of this month Australia's war expenditure would exceed £20,000,000 a month, and the rate of expenditure must continue to increase. It was safe to say that in the next financial year Australia could expect to have an expenditure of £250.000,000. "The three chief instruments for providing the necessary finance are credit expansion, public borrowing and taxation," he said. "It seems that when we enter the new financial year we will have had. for the time being, as much credit expansion as we can safely allow. The process of elimination seems to leave only one expedient—further taxation." EAST INDIES DEFENCE EXPENDITURE OF MILLIONS LONDON. June 16 The Governor-General of the Netherlands East Indies said yesterday that by the end of 1942 the Indies would

have spent about £62.500,000 on defence. They were not only producing raw materials but these were being carefully controlled so as to prevent them from reaching- the enemy. The Indies, he added, were determined to preserve their national existence. Constitutional reforms would be made later. Immediately Holland was free the question would be studied by advisers. BATTLE FOR CRETE FORCE OF 15,000 GREEKS LONDON, June Hi The Greek Prime Minister, M. Tsouderos, in a message to the Greek Legation in London stated that Greek forces in the battle for Crete numbered 15,000, and added that Cretans of all ages, even women, formed a militia who fought for their homes. The heroism of the Greeks resulted in heavy losses to the enemy. All the parachutists in one of the many encounters were exterminated, but over 300 Cretans were killed and a large number were wounded MINE AT SINGAPORE SINGAPORE, June 16 Entering Singapore Harbour, the Swedish freighter Ningpo picked up a floating mine with her screw. The mine exploded and the ship was damaged, but there were no casualties ADVANCE AT SOLLUM LONDON, June* its A local advance by Imperial troops in the Solium area is reported. Further west a - number of vehicles were destroyed when enemy troops were apparently taken by surprise.