The most significant news of the week is the report that an American tanker has arrived at Vladivostok without any interference from the Japanese. Had it been Stopped from completing its journey there cannot be the slightest doubt that the situa-Yon in the Pacific would immediately have Become highly critical, and it speaks well for Prince Konoye that, at any rate for the time being, he has been able to exercise some Testraint over the extremists. Satisfaction has been expressed in Washington over the arrival of the vessel, and it is regarded there as the result of the American-Japanese conversations. Thus the first American aid to ihe Soviet has reached its destination, and it is to be hoped that the other vessels which are also carrying supplies to the Siberian port Will also be allowed to pass unhindered Should that prove to be the case there can be no doubt that the atmosphere in this part of the world will undergo a decided improve-
Despite Goering's assurance British and now Russian bombers are reaching Berlin. Russia who was to be Germany's friend has been attacked and a new front has teen added to the war, The war was to end in 1940, then 1941, and it is slowly being brought home to the Germans that even Hitler expects it to be carried into next year. They have been assured that the United States will never intervene in this war as they did in the last, but the American occupation of Iceland has led the German press to make declarations which the Garman readers interpret as warning them not to be surprised if they find the United States beside the fighting democracies. If America did enter the struggle the psychological effect would be tremendous for the Germans fear that as they fear nothing else.
It is not astonishing in the light of all this that there should be signs of uneasiness to be noticed in Germany now. It would not be correct to say that Germany is already in a sorry plight, but her people have to live on success. That has very largely been denied them, and the recent tactics of the German propaganda machine in drumming up dramatic announcements of victories against the Russians, most of which existed only in the perverted imaginations of Goebbels's assistants, were all part of the general scheme to keep the Germans contented. But the war against Russia is a bloody one. Thousands of wounded men returning from the front tell the people at home in more than mere words that the youth of Germany is being slaughtered in an attempt to fulfill the ambitions of a group of blood-crazed men. War is being brought home to the people of Germany as it has never been before. It will be brought home closer as the long winter nights come found and the R.A.F. continues to strike increasingly heavier blows.
V- While the Japanese press is loud in its ment, am A fulminations against the United States, it is Russian Winter Feared apparent that the Japanese Government is maintaining a cautious attitude, probably for On August 9 the Soviet forces captured a the purpose of doing nothing which. might confidential order issued by the commander of the German 16th Army which shows that even prejudice Admiral Nomura's endeavours in hat date the Girman High Command was Washington to bring about a better under-ussly concerned over the provision of standing between the two Governments. In winter clothing for its troops in Russia. The that the Japanese Government is showing order. as reported by the Tass News Agency. a great deal more statesmanship than are the ran as follows:—newspapers. It is now about a month since The Russian climate demands timely and systematic measures 19 provide the occupation economic pressure was brought to bear upon troops with winter clothing. The command of v Japan. Experts declare that within the armed forces has ordered that (1) fur cloth-months the full effect of that pressure wi ing of all descriptions, such as undresssed furs, fur coats, jackets, vests, caps and boots are to be commence to be felt, and it is during the sized by any means. (2) Other clothing suitable next five months thai matters will probably fcr winter conditions is to be collected and become most critical. There should be no stored. This applies to winter overcoats (cotton padded), jackets and trousers, gloves and fur attempt to gloze over the very patent fact Cops. wristlets, mittens (knitted and cloth) and that both the American and Japanese leaders knee pads, jerseys of all kinds and colours, belts, warm winter underwear and socks, felt boots and aye "president Roosevelt's policy in he ave an enormously difficult task befor galoshes and winter masking caps."
Far East is well established. There can be It would! appear from this order that not only no question of the United States reaching a" does the Nazi High Command expect its troops io live off the country, but also to clothe agreement with Japan at the expense o themselves off the country. But just as Ger-China or any other Power having' interests man admissions prove that the Nazis have ju the Far East, and that certainly includes far been unsuccessful in living off the country. the Soviet which America will continue to Tass declares, that Soviet citizens whose homes have been overrun have either destroyed their help against the Axis. warm clothing or have buried it where the In his stand President Roosevelt has the Nazis are least likely to find it. They may unanimous support of the American people. freeze themselves, but they would rather suffer The same is not entirely true in the case the greatest privations than permit the Ger-w of Japan, for though extremists at present mans fo keep warm at thir expense. They dominate Japanese policy there is undoubted-may argue that since the Nazis are going to let them freeze. they might as well make sure ly grave anxiety in industrial and financial that. the Nazis freeze with them. Death from circles concerning the great risks their famine and cold will be the prospect of Nazi Country is being obliged to run, through soldier and Soviet peasant alike. Since it was the infatuation of the extreme elements for not part of the Nazi plans at the beginning of the year to wage war in Russia, and €qually the Axis Powers. There is a very large beyond their worst predictions that the Soviets section of the Japanese which would prefer would not be crushed before the real cold began, coming to some arrangement with the it tan be understood that the Germans have United States rather than see the Pacific the had to do some quick thinking to ensure that scene of a war the results of which might their men are properly clad. The order to very well be disastrous for Japan. But it seize everything they can lay their hands on "by any means" smacks of desperation. In is doubtful at present whether it is suff-marked contrast is the confident and orderly ciently powerful to influence such a change manner in which Moscow is preparing for the in policy, which alone can be the. prelude winter—Moscow which the Germans believed to-retracing the path to a better understand-would be in their hands long before the cold ing with the United States and ultimately sets in. In the Soviet capital large food reserves have been laid in. Moscow's underground the other Powers interested in this part of stations are to be ready as winter air raid the world. That would involve Japan's shelters by October 17, ten thousand dug-out breach with the Axis and the relinquishment shelters have been constructed in other parts of those militaristic ambitions in the western of the city, and fitted with stoves and bunks. and southern Pacific which have already in-Three thousand houses have been strengthened to withstand bomb blasts. Citizens of Moscow volved her in so much trouble.
Will spend the winter as comfortably as Probably a great deal depends upon how possible ım the circumstances. If the Russians the campaign in Rusfia progresses. The can hold'on as they are now doing, they can Soviet armies have completely destroyed the expect their harsh climate to come to their rescue in the same way as it did in the in. myth of German invincibility, and if the vasion of 1812. And there are no signs that Russians can inflict defeat upon the invaders, they will not be able to hold on.—and that is by no means impossible—the time will have come when the Japanese Government will very seriously have to re-
ALONG THE HIGHWAYS
consider its position. One thing can be said about the Japanese and that is that they Aug. 31—More about bulbs! We are not very are complete realists, and the probability is fond of the double tulips. although some are that their leaders are refraining from com-quite pretty. but we do advise the growing of some of the "Bunch-flowered" varieties if these mitting themselves too definitely until they can be purchased this year, These bulbs pro-are more sure than they can possibly be at duce from four to six flowers on a single stem the present that Hitler and his Italian and they are excellent for cut flower work: Gauleiter are likely to win this war. They they are more expensive than the other types. should realize that the Axis Powers cannot bu: they are very beautiful when in flower and well worth ihe extra cost. One of ow hope to do so against the enormous might in favourite tulips is to be found in the "Parrot" men and materials which Britain and her class: this is "Fantasy" or, as it ray appear Allies, together with the support of the in some catalogues "Dam: Melba." The flowers United States, can marshal against them. It of t tulip are large and extremely showy, is a pity they cannot realize it now, but the several shades colour appearing in the very fact that they are hesitant about back-fringed petals. fantasy" is the aristocrat of "Parrot": ulips and a bed of it in bloom is ing the wrong horse indicates a degree of always admired by all who see it. It prefers uncertainty which may prove decidedly high ground and it appears to like partial fortunate for the future of Japan. shade. but it will grow, and flower well in any position where other tulips will grow. The Early Single tulips are dwarf-growing. and while many of them do make a good display. some are affect: d by weather conditions and
GERMAN DISQUIET
others try to flower too close to the ground to be of much use in the garden. "Artus" is a very showy scarlet and this variety makes it is interesting to learn that misgivings a fine bed in some seasons. but the "Duc van are being felt by German military men as Tholl" varieties should not be planted outside. well as civilians over the way the war is they are better in pots and even then they are not always satisfactory. The best of the joing, and judging from reports to hand a early-singles is "Keizerskroon." this is a bright certain degree of frankness on the part of crimson scarlet with a yellow <dge; a most some commentators is to be noticed. General attractive combination. and when the bulbs are Kabich is the author of a remarkable article planted for mass effect. they make a lovely ju "Der Neue Tag" in which he points to Amongst the yellows. "Rising Sun" the teaching of von Clausewitz that the con-"Chrysolora" are perhaps the best, while "Prince of Austria." a brilliant orange scarlet. quering of enemy territory without sub-can be depended upon to give a most effective stantial gains would lead to a weakening of display. Hyacinths are rather expensive these Germany's own position, adding "this applies days, but a bid of them is worth having especially to the war in the east where our "L'Innocence," a pure white variety. is a great aim must be to defeat the Red Army to such favourite and many of the others make a fine show in a bed: bus most have "heavy" heads an extent that our forces can resume the that look better in pots than in the flower Offensive against England or in the Near garden. We like hyacinths, but we prefer East" The recent reports concerning troop those with bells loosely spaced on the spikes, concentrations along the Bulgarian-Turkish and for this reason we have always admired borders suggest that an offensive in the "Shotel" a soft light blue variety. and we Near East is probably the next item on would rather see a bed of this than ong of the more expensive kinds. The "Roman Hitlers propaganda, but it is doubtful hyacinth" is one of our favourites. but it is whether he will set it in motion before he difficult to get this here and we grow second-has secured a decision against Russia,—if he year bulbs as a substitute for 1% These gener-ever does. ally produce a number of small but useful spikes—w-J.x.
The Suez Canal has all along attracted him, for if he could seize it, he would stand athwart one of Britain's principal lines of Ambition often puts men upon the meanest communication and probably lead to a British offices; so climbing is performed in the same posture with creeping—Dean Swift. defeat in Egypt and the Near East. But at the moment he has more than his hands full in the Russian campaign. It has not pro-On the great theatre of public life. especially in periods of great convulsions when passions feeded according to programme. It is un-are fiercely roused. it is neither the man of likely to do so now, when it is reported that delicate scrupulosity and sincere impartiality, Russia has nine-million men under arms, nor yet the single-minded religious enthusiast. with four or five million more available if incapable of dissimulation or procrastination, necessary, and the prospect of Hitler wearing who confers most benefit upon the world. IS own the German armies by throwing them is much rather the astute statesman earnest about his ends but unscrupulous about his against the stubbornly resisting Russians means. equally free from the trammels of Suggests that he may so weaken his forces conscience and from the blindness of zeal, who as to be unable to embark upon any fresh governs because he partly yields to the passions venture. Of this he may be certain,—British and the prejudic: s of his time—William Lecky.
reparations in the Near East have been such t it is possible to face the future with We can imagine the nations passing before Confidence that there is sufficient strength us each represented by its popular form of Already in position to be reasonably certain': street music. Germany comes with a band of singers. followed by a band of men playing Asia Minor. pf the outcome, should Hitl ita into on all kinds of musical instruments. France comes fresh from the woods with her. corner It is the slow tempo of the war, and the meuse. Italy issues from the mountains with that tuneful and fascinating goatskin and pipe. so finely rendered by M. Gounod in "Mirella. p tain to build up her strength, and place which have been afforded Great Spain comes with a bandoline; Scotland with dt where most needed that is arousing anxiety the bagpipes; Ireland and Wales "with harps Germany. But there are other factors. as Even Russia sings a good bass tune. and gf well-known, national form and, proportion.
1, chief of ce been the progressive lusianment e German people. The a horn well and England brings up the rear of their leaders have not been kept A SE ipte sud
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.