March. 20.
That a crisis between Greece and Germany: is imminent is apparent from the conduct of the well disciplined German Press which is already commencing to tune up its hymn of] hate, in precisely the same manner as it has] heralded other German offensives. In Berlin itis understood In official circles that the' relations between the two countries cannot now be regarded as normal, and a diplomatic' breach is, expected at any moment. The wonder is that it has not already occurred, and that Germany has not already struck! at Greece from Bulgaria. But it is clear from organization which is thoroughly well instructed in the distribution of relief, believes that it can allocate the supplies which Britain will allow to get through in a manner which will not hinder Britain's war effort, then least it is worth while letting them make the attempt. If it is subsequently proved that the supplies are helping the Germans, the decision may be revised, and the total blockade be reimposctl.
Admiral Darlan's announcement to the press that it was possible that the Vichy Government would order the French fleet to convoy supplies to unoccupied France through the British blockade is another unfortunate proof of the extent {o which the German domination of unoccupied France has been allowed to increase. There can be very little doubt that the Germans were responsible for such 'a statement, by putting pressure on the Vichy Government which they could not resist. this is the case, then it would seem to be obvious thatthe Germans see some advantage to themselves—and not to the French people, about whom they do not care twopence—in such a relaxation of the British blockade. If means have been devised in Washington to ensure that they do not get this advantage which they, hoped for, then there can be no objection whatsoever to allowing the French people to have all the food they want. For the British and their Allies who are continuing the struggle, oppressors and Join in any offensive which may be launched against the Nazi continent, in order to. restore the liberty of all peoples, for which the French themselves have paid so many sacrifices.
In the meantime, however, there are cer= tain vital facts which must not be lost sight". of. Among them is the work now being done in French factories in unoccupied France on behalf of the German forces. It is reported without any possibility of truthful contradiction that some of these factories are turning out tools and aeroplane parts for the Germans, thus definitely assisting them to resist the British counter-offensive. It is Known for certain that the Germans have taken one million tons of wheat from occupied France'for the feeding of the peoples within the Reich. Of this enormous total they have returned about two million quintals, and have taken considerable credit to themselves for their generosity. Since unoccupied France depends largely for its supply of wheat upon occupied France, the shortage in the former area can be directly attributable to the Nazis.
All their talk of starving women and chil-aren, therefore, rebounds on to their own heads. It is also known beyond a shadow of contradiction that Axis armistice commis~ sions are commandeering supplies which are being landed at Marseilles from French Africa, and railroading them direct to Nazi territories. These acts the Vichy Government has been unable to resist; and so long as the conditions under which Britain has permitted supplies to go through are unknown, is impossible to say how this kind of food Nazi extortion is to be met.
'That Britain has agreed to let the supplies through can be taken as, evidence enough that an effective' plan has been devised, with the ce-operation of the United States, to make sure that the Germans benefit as' little as possible,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.