Aprit 28, There are two reviews of the, war situ tion, one a leading article in "The 'Times," and'the other a speech by General Jan Smuts, South African Prime Minister, which should be read, marked, learnt and inwardly digest~ 6d by everyone' whose future depends upon the outcome of the struggle. In both instances. is the present situation reduced to its proper perspective. "The. Times" rightly points out that the eastern Mediterranean, and Egypt constitute a secondary theatre of war, but one of great importance which cannot be regarded as minor. Should Hitler obtain a success there, he would gain access to the resources of northern Africa, stand astride the Empire's main eastern com: munications, and open the way to the oilfields of Iraq and Iran, but it would not of itself bring him victory. Campaigns in Eastern Africa and Greece are regarded as minor in character, though the defence of Gibraltar by reason of its relation to the eastern Mediterranean is of considerable importance. It should not be believed that not one of these points is not vital, for Alexandria and the Suez Canal might very well prove to be, though the war could still be carried on if they were to fall, General Smuts tells those who look. upon recent events with some misgiving that they forget that in the last war the position of the Allies in that part of Europe was far worse than it is today, but even so, the Allied cause moved to a grand victory in the end, He points out that if Hitler fails in his expected attack upon the fortress of Great Britain it~ self he will have reached the end of his tether, and in order to succeed he must sooner for later attempt invasion. That is the funda mental issue, and victories and diversions through the Balkans or other parts of Europe will not finally avail him; unless he overruns Britain he has lost the war. That is the opinion of a man celebrated as a military leader just as much as for his statesmanship, and when he says that the Allied victories in Afvien have put the Axis on the scrap heap he is expressing an opinion which has a great weight of authority behind it, There appear to be two reasons why Hitler is following the plan he has adopted of striking southeastwards into the Balkans on route, it is believed, to Asin Minor, The first is to obtain a few more victories, this time very considerable cost in casualties, with which to dazzle the Germans who are' being. brought (0 a painful realization of the grow-{ing strength of the R.A.F., and the second is his growing need for oil. That is why he has shirked an attack upon Great Britain, 1 is believed he will continue {o shirk it so long as he thinks he has any chance of extending his resources, for Mr, Hugh Dalton recently pointed out that the war was having decided effect upon Hitler's reserves and that their exhaustion is probably not so far loft as some people appear to believe, Much, of course, depends upon the outcome of the battle of the Atlantic and the maintenance of British lines of communication across that oceiin, round the Cape and to a lesser degree in the Mediterranean, but, if she keeps these open and her sea-power survives the German atruck, Hitler will have lost without even the prospect of a stalemate being left him.
British sea-power is actually stronger than it was at the beginning of the war, The casualties inflicted upon it, have been ye-placed. There is all the aid which is to be expected from the United States, which will now see that the money which is being spent will not be laid out on materials only to be sunk by enemy action on thei
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.