1940-10-23 — Page 39

THE CHINA MAIL, OCTOBER 23, 1940.

CHINA MAIL

WINDSOR HOUSE-

'DIVERSION' IN EGYPT

While Hitler moves gin- gerly in the Balkans, with his wariest eye on Russia, the Graziani forces show no sign of taking up the Egyptian invasion where it was left off more than a month ago.

It must, however, be re- garded as a step which cannot long be delayed. The Suez Canal and the British naval base at Ale- xandria are the obvious objectives. Pro-British

Turkey and Greece-the latter already an object of Il Duce's attentions would be at Axis mercy should the British lose their grip in, the Eastern Mediterranean. The at- tempted counter-blockade of Britain would be strengthened so that if the weather interfered with German. aerial activity the odds through the winter would not bel all in favour of Britain.

These factors, however, do not prevent the British government and military advisers from looking up- on the Italian moves pri- marily as a diversion. General Wavell, in Cairo, seems to feel he can afford to risk some penetration by Italy in Egypt.

HUNGAR

AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR "