The Waikato Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1940. GERMAN EASTWARD DRIVE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21242, 12 October 1940, Page 6

The Waikato Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1940. GERMAN EASTWARD DRIVE

Informed opinion in Britain apparently accepts the German advance into Rumania as only another development of the drive to the east which has been a feature of the German programme of conquest. They expect an infiltration into Bulgaria to follow, thus bringing Germany to the frontier of Turkey. With Germany a force on the shores of the Black Sea through the occupation of Rumania and Bulgaria, the Dardanelles would naturally become a major objective. Beyond Turkey lie Syria, Palestine, the Suez Canal and a possible junctioning with Italy and the encirclement of the Mediterranean. That is the dream, but happily there are many obstacles to its fulfilment. The attempt would mean a dangerous dispersal of German forces for which Hitler is not yet ready. In the meantime Germany needs oil, among other things, and that it is believed was the prime reason for the early seizure of Rumanian resources. Hitler plans, it is said, to construct a wide military road across Rumania. That, no doubt, is intended to be a continuation of the highway to the east in implementation of his dream. How blindly the small nations on this route of conquest are aiding and abetting the German ambition ! Hitler has used them cunningly to tear each other to pieces and clear the way for his triumphal progress. If Bulgaria is next on the list for attention, Turkey must see the writing on the wall. Turkey has fortunately had time to prepare her defences and to assess the seriousness of the German march. Berlin propagandists are already reported to be declaring that Germany will reach an agreement with a Bulgarian Minister during his early visit to Berlin. But there are certain vital contingencies to Hitler’s plans. For instance, he has counted upon Britain itself collapsing under the strain of the blitzkrieg. The unexpectedly stubborn resistance has caused a recasting of the campaign, for while Britain remains full of fight a large-scale offensive towards the east would be dangerous. Therefore Hitler is able to proceed as fast as may be possible without involving war on two fronts. If the States in his way are prepared to submit without a struggle he can go ahead. Rumania has played into his hands, but he can hardly expect the same tame submission from Turkey.

Whatever the dangers, however, Germany has been impelled to act thus early in the case of Rumania because of the imperative need of oil. There have been heavy drains on both German and Italian stocks, and British air raids arc said to have been damaging Germany's capacity to produce to a greater extent than is generally realised. Depletion of oil stocks throughout Europe must result in a slowing down of the whole industrial machine as well as the war services. Occupation of the various victim countries has temporarily eased the strain but it has not greatly increased the sources of supply. Even if the whole output from Rumania is seized, there will still be a shortage, and in any case the difficult problem of transportation remains, the British blockade having thrown the whole burden on the already overloaded railway and river systems.