Extension of War Deplored In Vatican Circles Rome, May 17.
Monsignor Cesare Orsenigo, Papal Nuncio in Berlin, has been instructed to express confidentially to the Ge man Government the Vatican's profound concern at the extension of the war, and the hope that military operations will be conducted in conformity with humanitarian principles, says a dispatch from Rome to the Swiss Telegraphic Agency, The Papal Nuncio, the report declares, has also informed the Reich of the Pope's concern for Catholics in the countries invaded by Germany, 1f these representations prove useless, Vatican circles declare, the Vatican would consider official participation in the joint protest against Germany's action, which is being advocated by American countries,—Reuter, It is a new kind of warfare—war of speed and surprise—and it is hard to estimate the position while things are moving so fast. The British line at this stage seems to be in no immediate danger.
German mechanised divisions have been employed with such prodigality during the last few days that accounts of their enormous losses in men and materials are understandable, writes Reuter's military correspondent.
Tank experts are first to admit the limitations from which this weapon suffers. Among these are said to be the fact that objectives are hard to locate from the periscopes of tanks in action and mines have been extremely effective. In addition, the crew of an armoured division are very dificult to replace. Every job, whether driving, gunnery or maintenance, is an expensive replacement and difficult, This may explain, the correspondent adds, why the Blitzkrieg has slowed down perceptibly.
Reports from Paris indicate that the French capital was yesterday prey to the wildest and most alarming rumours, including one that the enemy had reached or were within striking distance of cities in northern France. These wild reports are believed to have been due, in some (Continued on page 8, col. 1)
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