Aug.
The news that Italian forces are moving against British Somaliland was not unexpected. It was anticipated ever since Italy entered the war that sooner or later she: would open campaigns against British possessions in Northern Africa, and to a very great extent she benefits from the fact that France is no longer in the struggle. While exchanges along the Libyan frontier have proved advantageous to the British, it should be noted that the full strengths' of the opponents have not yet been matched against each other, and that what has been taking place has been more in the nature of outpost actions, rather than a general engagement. It is possible to obtain a clearer: view of what is happening in Somaliland. Though it is noted that French Somaliland is out of the picture, the Italians appear to have refrained from' moving against the British from that area, and have chosen to strike across the Abyssinian border.' Thus three columns are moving, one towards Odweina, the second towards Hargeisa, and the third from Jiro towards Garagara, the ultimate objectives being the ports on the Gulf Aden, such as Berbera and Zeila. No indications are available at present as to the strength of the enemy, but it is believed that even if the British troops are numerical ly inferior, their quality Is such as to ensure that the Italians will meet with the fiercest The scheme adopted by the Italians sug~ gests that they are confident of being able to control those parts of Abyssinia which they succeeded in subjugating, but as there is still a considerable portion of the country which they never conquered, the chances. of their rear being endangered by the risings of recalcitrant chieftains is not one which can lightly be ignored. From the south of Italian Somaliland come reports indicating that the Italians have been massing forces in the Bardera district for an attack upon Kenya. It is interesting and important to note in this connection that some time ago it was reported that the Italians operating' out of Abyssinia had reached Moyale, and fan endeavour was made to magnify this into fan imposing success. It was nothing of the sort, for the British troops merely retreated from an outpost where there was insufficient. water supply to maintain reinforcements which were necessary if the place were to be held. Up to the present there has been no serious attack on Kenya, and judging from the latest reports to hand the Ttalians have not yet completed their preparations for making one. Much will probably depend upon the degree of success met with in the invasion of British Somaliland, and it may prove to be the case that they may be called upon to assist the Italian columns invading British Somaliland from the north of Italian Somaliland as well as from Abyssinia.
Reports from Cairo suggest that the British fleet at Alexandria has detached. units to patrol the coastline near the Cyrenaica-Egyptian frontier, in anticipation of an Italian drive along the highway which runs parallel to it into Egypt. If that does eventuate it will mean that the Italians have embarked upon a general engagement through northern and north-eastern Africa. The task which the British troops will have to face has been increased by the fact that French troops to operate against Libya from Tunisia are no longer available, and that the Italians have no longer to consider having. to protect their rear. Nevertheless the engagements which have taken place up to the present in no way justify any fear that the British will not be able to deal effectively with the enemy. 'The enemy might be able to maintain precarious lines of communication across the Mediterranean, but the Italians operating out of Abyssinia are left entirely to their own devices, without any prospect' of receiving supplies, and with the knowledge that their offensive can only last as long as their present material holds out. It is to be assumed that the Italians have' been amassing considerable reserves of war' material in. Eritrea, Abyssinia and Talian Somaliland, but as long as the British control the seas, as they do, the chances of replacement are decidedly small, The future in Africa can be awaited with complete confidence, fur Great Britain long ago made all necessary dispositions to meet the situation which is apparently now developing.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.