While there has been nothing spectacular in connection with the war during the past week, it has been replete with hopeful and significant signs, and the Allies may safely congratulate themselves that if there has ments of the war, economic the two have come together so well that for all practical purposes in connection with these hostilities they form one solid unit. The wideness of the scope of cooperation is such that identity of purpose has been achieved in every department of the activities of the two nations, and unity of command on land and sea has been complemented by a complete economic understanding which should work to the convenience, and well-being of the Allies in all directions. The appeals of the monarchs of Belgiüm and Holland have fallen on stony ground so far as Herr Hitler is concerned. The replies of King George and M. Lebrun emphasized the objects of the Allies, but left the door open for further representations on the part of the would-be interveners should that be possible. That it was not, is solely the work of Herr Hitler, who emphatically slammed the door in the faces of the two neutral rulers. For the time being the threat of invasion to Belgium, and Holland, which the massing of considerable strength along their borders by Germany made apparent, seems now not so imminent as it did a short while ago. That is in all probability due to the reaction of world-wide public opinion, and the interest which both' Spain and Italy have been taking in the matter. The menace has not yet disappeared, and as matters stand at present, it may be safely assumed that should Herr Hitler see any immediate benefit resulting from such an action, or should he become more desperate than he is at present reported to be, and his lot is a very uneasy one at the moment, he may be expected to throw all restraint to the winds, and embark upon the invasion which has been on the cards ever since the war commenced.
There are significant reports current to the effect that Herr Hitler favours a general all round onslaught with all arms as a means of bringing the war to an early end. His views are not shared by his own command, and many of the military leaders, whose knowledge of such matters may be assumed to be somewhat superior to that of Der Fuehrer, are strongly opposed to any such action, preferring a policy of maintaining the German strength intact against the time when economic pressure may force Germany to the conference table. There cannot be the slightest doubt about it that whichever armies assume the offensive against the strong positions which have been prepared on either side they must face the prospect of enormous, and possibly ruinous casualties. The Allies can with safety consent to the continuance of the military stalemate confident that the enormous pressure of the economic control must eventually wear down German resistance. Not so Herr Hitler. He is unable to maintain such a pressure. His submarine blockade is a failure, the losses which are being inflicted upon the Allies being demonstrably smaller than they were at the commencement of the war, while the progressive destruction of the U-boat gives promise that losses in the future will continue to dwindle. He has got to attempt to force a- decision before economic control reaches a degree under which the pressure it exerts will become unendurable, and it is because of that that he so earnestly desires to stake all on a wild all-round gamble in which there are few if any factors favouring his chances. Hence the recent hints of ruthless U-boat warfare, though in this connection it would be interesting to know what other term could be applied to the submarine campaign up to the present. There is every reason to believe that Germany has reached the peak of her war material production. The raising of the working hours from eight to ten a day suggests last efforts to keep pace with the ever-increasing output of the Allies, who, with the supplies which are now available from the United States, are in a better material position to carry on the war than Herr Hitler ever has been. To this there is to be added the manner in which the' Dominions have rallied to the Empire. In a comparatively short while the first Canadian contingent will be sailing for France; Australian units are being formed, while even New Zealand is preparing to do her bit. When it is remembered that the British Empire eventually put over eight million troops into the last war, with France contributing to practically the same extent it is apparent that the Allies have reserves of man power which cannot be equalled by Herr Hitler.
Hence Herr Hitler's desire for an attempt at a Blitzkrieg which is no longer possible. As every day passes his position becomes increasingly perilous, and there is every prospect that, while he hesitates at the moment because of ithe opposition of his own military experts, he. may decide to stake his fate, and that of his country on one last throw. Should he decide to do so, it will cause no dismay amongst the Allies. It is something they have been expecting all along, and for which they are thoroughly well prepared. Nazi quarters last week made it quite clear what their war aim is, namely, the destruction of the power of the British Empire. If anyone had any doubt about it before, the situation is now quite clear, and it is an issue upon which Great Britain is quite prepared to meet them, perfectly confident of the result. The situation in the Balkans increased in interest during the last seven days. The continued penetration of Russian influence in that area, over which Italy has consistently claimed a preponderant interest has aroused concern in Rome, and latest declarations indicate that should the Soviet endeavour to press the point too far they may find themselves faced with the prospect of having to fight Italy, which is just as much opposed to Bolshevism as ever it was. It may be that the bonds between Germany and Italy have not yet been weakened so much as the Allies would desire, but there is always the possibility that the actions of Germany's newest, and, very obviously, dearest friend, the Soviet, may lead to a complete dissolution of German-Italian ties. The outbreak of the Czechs against German rule, significant as it undoubtedly is, should not be taken for the great revolt which may be ultimately expected, The protectorate which Herr Hitler has established is aptly described as the largest concentration camp under his control, and in view of the stories of what is happening, and the ruthless suppression of the Czechs, it would seem that the description is most apt as wholly congrous with the stories of what has happened in other and smaller camps. The hatred which his myrmidons have managed to create and maintain in Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland is in itself a definite liability, and one which may have a profound effect as this war drags on.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.