1941-01-02 — Page 2

THE CHINA MAIL, JANUARY 2, 1941.

WHAT ARE HITLER'S PLANS?

Invasion This Winter Still Thought Doubtful

FOUR ITALIAN SUPPLY VESSELS SUNK

A British

warship

in the

sonk four Italian sup- ply vessels Adriatic on Tuesday morning, according to press reports received in Belgrade. The ves- sels were carrying heavy guns and mo- for-lorries.

The attack took place off the point where the Albanian and Yugoslavia fron- tiers join.

Most of the Italian crews reached the shore, it is odded.- Reuter.

Plans Diplomatic

Run Into Snags

(By Reuter's Military Commentator)

ATHENS COMUNIQUE

An Athens com- munique yesterday stated: "During suc¬ cessful local. opera~

we captured

tions IN MY OPINION, IT IS NOT WHAT ARE HITLER'S PLANS ? LIKELY THAT HITLER WILL ATTEMPT THE INVASION OF THE BRI- TISH ISLES THIS WINTER, PARTLY OWING TO THE IMMENSE DIF- FICULTIES CREATED BY THE SEA AND WEATHER AND PARTLY BECAUSE HIS DIPLOMATIC PLANS FOR OUR ENCIRCLEMENT ARE NOT YET COMPLETE.

If Hitler does try an invasion within the next three months, it will be proof of his des- perate need for a quick decision.

His object certainly is to strike at Britain but while he is concentrating by sea and air to interfere with and even smash our com- munications, especially across the Atlantic, it seems he is fighting a political and diploma- tic campaign in Europe with the object of as- sembling overwhelmingly powerful diploma- tic combinations against us before launching his armies.

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THE GENERAL ELE

OF COUN

By occupying Rumania, he pos- sesses himself of Black Sea ports from which he can threaten Bul- garia, Russia and Turkey.

To all facts and purposes, he has occupied Hungary.

eight guns, much ma- terial and some pri- soners, and an Italian tank attack was pulsed. One tank was captured."-Reuter. ·

Reems

re-

more

to adopt a firmer attitude. Yugoslavia also Hitler's aim la to Impress all the Balkan Powers, including ready to adopt a more indepen- Yugoslavia, so that they will ac-dent attitude. quiesce in his unopposed advance Turkey, who always stood firm diterranean next Spring, but as Britain's friend and ally, is the necessity of rescuing Mus now strengthened to invite Bul-"! solini

come act garis to

into a Balkan, may force him to

Lengue for the mutual security of all these south-eastern European countries.

sooner.

Hitler's Schémes

On his west wing, Hitler is With Italy tottering and these evidently trying to force France tendencies growing in the Balkans. to agree to his advance to the there is good reason to hope that Mediterranean with the use of the Hitler's plans for the employment. French Fleet and what remains of his eastern wing will receive“ a check, while our victories have? of the Italian Fleet.

Spain was also to be brought done much to shatter his plans on into this great scheme, her Atlan-his western wing, as the firmer tic ports placed at the disposal of attitude of the French Govern Germany, and Gibraltar was to be ment and the more friendly at

[titude of General Franco show. attacked.

Hitler

If this diplomatic plot suc- Atlantic Struggle ceeded in Its entirety: would undoubtedly have put

There remains our struggle in

Germany in a very strong posithe Atlantic.

tion.

The help and friendship of the This plan would cut one of Bri-United States may be the last of. tain's main arteries through the the British assets to be mentioned. Mediterranean and increase the but it is for the greatest. seriousness of the threat to the Atlantic artery from and air attacks.

Britain would be ripe for invasion.

President Roosevelt's speeche submarine leaves no doubt as to the power- ful aid the United States is giving considered and will give to the cause of de-

cent living and freedom which we fight.

These far-reaching diplomatic scheme hatched in Berlin have, however, received a severe set- back.

The Greek successes, our Fleet actions at Taranto and elsewhera in the Mediterranean, and finally the crushing defeat of the Italians in Libya have altered the atmos phere to our advantage.

for

If Hitler moves in the Spring against the Balkans, very large British forces could be at hand- to support the Balkan League In this perhaps final struggle

against

and Nazy tyranny algvery.

The fate of Europe has been da cided before now. on the plains of The Italian defeats and the Hungary, and under the walls of, encouragement given by Rus-Vienna. It may well be so again. sia have emboldened Bulgaria-Reuter":

GENERAL SMUTS SAYS U.S. MUST JOIN IN

THE ALLIED VICTORIES DURING THE SECOND HALF OF 1940 WOULD HAVE A PROFOUND EFFECT IN 1941, DECLARED GENERAL SMUTS, PREMIER OF THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA, IN A NEW YEAR MES- SAGE TO THE WORLD BROADCAST FROM SOUTH AFRICA.

General Smuts added that world opinion no longer regarded a German victory as cer tain or even probable.

Asserting that

a decision in 1 said that Hitler stake his fortunes Invasion it Brits be no object in tack as the loni delayed the stronger

would become t very soon. In the delayed beyond

in any ERBE was ni

•Hitler wälla chu atro

941.

General Smuts proceeded: eral Smuts" der the great and inspiring

and to be

od Presidents Roosev erich will once morej

hertown' thäice, – dedi to the groulest of huma

spirit of Abraham Ling the will orice more take her: place among the chem of the tree' world again. the slave world.

Wineply, na Amerson

dosies

keep out of this war, with find the necessity laid up

om and in this last resort the 141-3 not fat Treedom" paris

;face of the darth saured: "Américari intér