THE WAY OF THE BULLY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 231, 30 October 1940, Page 4

THE WAY OF THE BULLY

'WERE it not for the fact that the world has grown accustomed to the technique employed by Axis powers in the prosecution of their nefarious plans, a shiver of horror would have greeted the unprovoked and inexcusable invasion of the innocent Greek State. Greece however had been marked down as the next victim and without warning or previous threat of any kind, two hundred, thousand soldiers of Italy, massed there for the purpose, forced the Greek border on Monday last. The repercussions in Turkey will be interesting but it is fairly obvious in view of the despatch of a special Military Mission to Greece, that the Ottoman Empire is fully acquainted with the danger confronting it and will not be caught unprepared. Bolstered up by the nearness of the British Mediterranean fleet, and the moral support of the Turkish and Egyptian forces the Greek people are reacting in a manner most creditable to them. From immediate reports it is fairly conclusive that man for man they are more than a match for the Italian regulars, but the greatest need of the Greek fighting forces is a modern and efficient air-arm. It is in this respect that her people have turned pleading eyes towards Britain, who can be expected to give; of her utmost in accordance with the terms of her guarantee. If this should be achieved and portion of the Royal Air Force diverted to meet the new threat to the Balkans, there will be an interesting test of strength between British fighter aircraft and the much vaunted Caproni bombers which figured so tragically against the defenceless Abyssinians. Meanwhile it is safe to assume that everything humanly possible will be done to strengthen the Greek resistance and hold up the Italian thrust which undoubtedly has as its goal the control of the eastern Mediterranean and, a free road to the Persian oil wells.