NOTES ON WAR NEWS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 201, 19 August 1940, Page 7

NOTES ON WAR NEWS

FUTURE OF BRITISH dominions "If Britain wins the war, the Dominions will probably evolve into something nearer to States along the American model," says Dr Theo dore Kraft, of Hunter College (New York) in a pamphlet released by the American Council of Public Affairs. "The Dominions are belligerent allies of Britain," he adds,, ''rather than subordinates, and the war will probably make them separate States. "If Britain wins, they will remain united under a common Crown, but will extend in practice those principles legalised by the Statute of Westminster. "The last war caused a theoretical status of independence to be adopted and this war will probably continue the development by producing practical and actual independence and equality, "The Dominions will probably become independent sovereign States in the event of . a defeat of Britain causing the Empire's disintegration." Dr. Kraft concludes that, the war has seen the first move towards genuine independence, namely, Ireland's declaration of neutrality.

PLAN TO PRODUCE POWER) ALCOHOL Experts in Melbourne seem ' lo agree that power alcohol ior a petrol substitute could be. economically produced in Australia. So convinced is' a group of Melbourne buisness men that the secretary of the Retail Motor Dealers' Association, Mr E. K. Varcoe, said that they were already planning flotation of a company. Before they launch their scheme they will seek an assurance from the Federal Government that there will be no restrictions on producing power alcohol, because, as the law now stands there is a limit on the issue of licences to own stills. Mr Varcoe said they proposed manufacturing the alcohol from several raw materials, including molasses, straw, wheat and sugar, at several country sites, preferably alongside rivers. Farm waste, such as thistles, might be used.

ITALIANS' FEAR OF RUSSIA Italian fears that Russia may still attempt a European coup are expressed vividly by the newspaper "Regime Fascista." The paper warns Russia against making any attempt to trick the Axis Powers. Such action, it states, would bring a prompt answer from Hitler and Mussolini. Italian newspapers bitterly accuse Britain of banking on the hope of Russian help. "We do not believe that it would be wise for Russia to open accounts, \vhicli~ would be settled with the same swiftness and strength as those of France and Poland were settled,'" declared the Regime Fascista. Other newspapers have launched a violent anti-Jew campaign, predicting their total elimination from Europe.

BRITISH TOMMY SAVED BY NUN How a French Sister of Mercy saved the life ol a British soldier by rompt and courageous action was described in general routine orders by General Viscount Gort, the B.E.F\ Commander-in-Chief, shortly before the evacuation from Dunkirk. Sister Hortensc was collecting for the poor of France in a British camp, "She saw a soldier with, his clothes in flames," the report stated. "She seized a blanket, ran to the soldier and wrapped the blanket tightly round him until the liamcs were extinguished. "Though imperilled by her voluminous clothing, Sister Hortense acted throughout with complete disregard for her own personal safety."

NAZIS BUY GOODS TO COVER FALSE PLEDGES Nazis are buying United States supplies for the purpose of fulfilling contracts that Germany made with Latin-America for October deliveries, by which time the Germans had promised the war would be avcll over. New York exporters passed! on this information to the New York Times, which, says: "It thus becomes evident that the expected quick victory over . Britain now seems to the Nazis to be not so immediate. "Several orders have already been held up by United States exporters, because they resent the obvious effort by Germany to maintain her prestige in Latin-America with American goods. "The purchases were an effort to reap the full benefit, of Nazi propaganda, 'while hiding their fears that the conquest of Britain is unlikely,", says the New York Times. "German agents have recently assured their Latin-American customers that the war's end is certain before September, when Germany would rush goods to South America. ~ "It is now significant that Ger-man-owned companies in Argentina, Mexico, Brazil and other Central American countries;, have been placing orders in recent weeks for United States chemicals, metal, and other products, to be delivered early in September. | Suspicious. Though the orders are not large, the companies offered cash, thus arousing' suspicions,, because only exchange restrictions prevent most buyers advancing dollars on shipments. New York exporters compared 1 notes, and discovered that the orders placed resembled closely those, to which the Germans we're committed themselves in La tin-Ame-rica. One large New York exporter announced that he was holding up two orders because it was apparent that Germany was hoping to use American merchandise to bolster up her prestige.

CONQUEST AND HUNGER Large conquered cities and other areas in Europe where refugees are concentrated will become short of food. This is the opinion of the United States Department of Agriculture. Officials think, however, that there would be no starvation if the available food were adequately distributed; but communications are disrupted and many people have left their homes, so that food in many places is probably short. Europe's shortage of bread grains is partly offset in the central and northern areas by good potato and corn crops. It is likely that the shortage of fodder in Denmark, Germany, and Holland will become particularly acute, in view of the lack of imported oil-cakes ancl feed grains. Thus live-stock must be reduced. The department points out that crop deficiencies are normally made up by imports, which the blockade now prevents. Ox? the other hand, it must be remembered that foodstuffs usually exported from Europe to Britain are now remaining on the Continent.