London, Sept. 11.
Prospect of an early Ballan attack on Egypt is raised by reports of air activity against the British advance base at Mersa Matruth, writes Reuters' Military Correspondent.
The 2nd Italian Army is concentrated of this front. Whether'this army will strike the first blow with a drive along the coast to Alexandria, is a matter of speculation.
Italy, the correspondent continues, has two other armies in Africa, either of which might start the ball rolling. One of these armies is reported to be assembled on the Egyptian-Sudanese frontier, with the object of marching eastwards to the Nile at Wadi Haifa.
This would involve the crossing of 600 miles of waterless desert, but with speedy mechanized forces, supported by aircraft, the Italians might attempts a surprise in order eventually to join up with a northern attack. It is Significant that Marshal Rodolfo Graziani, Governor-General of Libya, is reported to command this front.
A third Italian move might be an attack due westwards from Kassala in the direction of Khartoum. The lower Nile would be a tempting surprise, greatly assisting other operations; however, Abyssinia and Somaliland are completely cut off from further supplies, and while large stocks of petrol have been laid down, they are not likely to last long during active operations.
The desert is the main strength of Sir Archibald Wavell's position in the Middle East, the correspondent concludes.—Reuter Pan-American Starts New Zealand Service San Francisco, Sept. 11 Pan-American Airways ase augurating their San Frantisto-New Zealand air passenger service today.
Fourteen passengers for Aukland are being carried on the flight—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.