BREVITY AT BRENNER

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 84, 5 October 1940, Page 10

BREVITY AT BRENNER

What really happened at the brief meeting of the Fuhrer and the Dace at the Brenner Pass yesterday the news naturally does not record beyond a reference to a "routine exchange of views . . . conducted in the spirit of the Axis." This may

mean anything or nothing. Since Hitler and Mussolini last met there have been many developments, by no means all favourable to the grandiose plans of the Axis for a short war with quick profits. It is possible the dictators reproached each other

for failures at each end of the Axis. Mussolini might have asked what about the knock-out blow that was to be delivered at Britain, and Hitler, in turn, why the Italians did not get on with the job of invading Egypt and sweeping the British Fleet out of the Mediterranean. But, officially, the meeting was "cordial" and there was little time to quarrel. Quite possibly the "Popolo d'ltalia," not usually reckoned a safe source of information, blundered on the truth for once in stating that the plan for invading Britain had petered out and with it. the prospect of a short war. The newspaper explains that the dictators accordingly discussed a joint plan for a long war. and a winter campaign southward into Africa is suggested. There are signs of moves in that direction in the Balkans, where Axis penetration has made some headway, in the diplomatic pressure on Spain through Senor Suner, in the intrigues with the Vichy Government over Dakar and North-west Africa, and the pact with Japan by way of insurance against "third party risks." But there is one obstacle to all these plans, namely, the British Navy, which, according to Rome radio, the Italians are out to destroy, but which has again swept the eastern and central Mediterranean, while the Italian fleet made off at full speed for its nearest base. So long as the Axis naval motto remains "Scuttle or run," it is not likely Axis plans will

succeed