The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The sun. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1940. STILL WAITING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 221, 17 September 1940, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The sun.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1940. STILL WAITING.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the tvrong that reeds resistance, For the future in the dittance, And the good that toe can do.

Like the German invasion of England, the Italian invasion of Egypt remains mainly in the realm of propagandist threat. The situation on the frontier of Egypt and Libya continues almost hidden under "the fog of war," though unofficial reports last week that the Italians had begun an offensive were followed by an admission that they had occupied the village of Solium, from which British armoured troops were withdrawn some weeks ago. The only importance of Solium seems to lie in the fact that it is in Egypt. Until Italy entered the war, it was occupied by Egyptian troops, which were withdrawn in order to avoid the possibility of hostilities. It has been declared frequently that if the Italians invaded Egypt, the Egyptians would fight; but the occupation of Solium is apparently to be deemed merely a technical breach of Egypt's somewhat rare brand of neutrality. It has not been followed yet by any news supporting the suggestion that Italy proposes to send one army along the coast, another from Kassala towards Wadi Haifa in the Sudan and a third from Taheida inSouthern Libya, also towards Wada Haifa. Yet the impression strongly persists that Mussolini will make the attempt. The question is? Why is he still waiting?

While Mussolini has waited the British forces have been substantially strengthened, both in the air and on land. Their land force has been increased, inter alia, by a considerable contingent of Australians. The addition to their air force is reported to include the most modern 'planes. Even though the Italians also, no doubt, have made good use of the jJeriod of waiting, the task before them ; has grown' more difficult, and their repotted boast that they will be in Alexandria in two months, at the longest, must be classed with the Nazis' declaration of where they would be on August 15. It seems probable that Mussolini's eyes are not- on Egypt, but on London. If his ally could bring about the collapse of England, then his problem iA North Africa would bear a different aspect. He could hope then for German air reinforcements. Nazi propaganda talk •of Britain's impending collapse may have its value among the German and Italian peoples, though even they must be feeling the qualms which come from i "hope deferred," but it does not in any way simplify the task of invading Egypt. Whether Mussolini is waiting for the Germans, or trhether he has steeled himself in a determination to ''go alone," his troops have before them, if he dhooses to give the order, a campaign which will test their famous fighting qualities as they have never been tested before.