1940-10-31 — Page 41

THE CHINA MAIL, OCTOBER 31, 1940.

GIGANTIC JIGSAW PUZZLE: 70 GERMAN DIVISIONS TO WATCH

(By Reuter's Military Correspondent)

THE OPPOSING FORCES in the Mediter GREECE

ranean theatre of war are so scattered that

the situation resembles a gigantic jigsaw READY FOR

puzzle.

When Italy declared war, an immediate attack from the Albanian frontier was ex- pected. This, in conjunction with the move of General Graziani's armies in North Africa, would have kept the British navy busy.

Neither has yet materialised though there is no possible doubt that the Italians were ready both in Libya and Albania.

Libylan reports mention difa- tory road-making activity near Sidi Barrani, but there appar ently is a lack of initiative in the air.

Albanian reports

suggest that

the Italians are uneasy about the Albanians themselves

An advance of a large force to

cation lines vulnerable to hostile

TURKISH POLICY

Ministers representing Salonika might render communi- the Balkan States met at Albanians though it appears that the Egyptian Ministry of an Foreign Affairs in Cairo Greeks have completed mobilisa- on Tuesday in order to discuss the situation arising from the Italian

Italy's best chance would be immediate attack before the

tion.

German Divisions

The Turkish Minister, the Alhan, is understood

declared that Turkey

ANY ORDEAL

Greece will bear the ordeals that lie before it with patience and dignity, and with God's help they would add a new page to their history, declared the Greek Minister, M. Simo- poulos, speaking at a lun- cheon in London yester- day.

has come when we must

M.-Simopoulos said: "The time fight for our independence and

life.

our

"We know what these ideals are because they are the ideals for which Greece has fought throughout the centuries and we will be proud i'n fighting side by side with the British Empire for the ultimate vic- tory."

added that

M. Simopoulos

A real enigma is offered by invasion of Greece. the presence of 70 German 'di- visions in the vicinity of

Sevki Balkans.

to have Many are assembled on the bor-complete agreement with Britain dastardly attack and premeditated was in Greece has been a victim of 1 ders of Hungary and Yugoslavia regarding present and future ac-aggression without any provoca- while mechanised units are in the tion. border towns of German Carinthia. non-participation in the hostili-to find an excuse rendered the He added that Turkey's tion whatsoever, and the attempt What is the plan for which these ties for the present might well aggression the more disgraceful. vast. forces, (at least 1,000,000 be favourable to men) are intended?

the general-Reuter. situation, rather then her

Turkey is ruled out as an im- ticipation.-Reuter. mediate German objective for the present at least, for there is only

a small number of troops in Ru- ITALIAN

mania,

Yugoslavia?

Not so in the case of Yugosla- via, as every German military move suggests pressure against that country.

Yugoslavia's army is in a very difficult position. Hungary and Bulgaria both fit into the puzzle more easily.

may

Both will "toe the line" what. ever action Gerniany suggest. There are signs of improving Russo-Turkish relations and the question asked is whether Russia is nervous in connection with German intentions.

Geography may be an import ant factor in Balkan develop- ments.

Hungary is flat, Yugoslavia, mountainous. The Italians could only invade Greece by marching eastwards towards Salonika southwards towards the Gulf of Corinth.

Salonika First?

Salonika is bound to be

-or

the

main objective; it was one of the most important outlets for Yugo-

par-

Afraid Of Daylight

of

1 Referring to the method

presenting the demands of Italy,