WINTER TOLL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20081, 30 October 1939, Page 7

WINTER TOLL

REICH PROBLEM

DEMANDS IN WAR TREND OF HOSTILITIES LITTLE NAZI SUCCESS SEA AND AIR RAIDS

PRESS SUMMARIES

| (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) j (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 9 a.m RUGBY, Oct. 28.’ The London Weekly journals summarise the position, of the war to j date and make a diversity of speeu- ■ lations as to the future course of ‘ hostilities. Tile Spectator says: “A week ago j confident predictions came from Ber- i lin of impending visits to Germany | by the Soviet Prime Minister, M. j Molotov, and the Italian Foreign 1 Minister, Count Ciano, for conversa- j tions of first moment which would re- ! suit in the issue of a tripartite dc- j duration. None the less the momen- j

tons visits have not been paid and the declaration has not materialised, nor is there the least prospect that it will.

“The intentions of Rome and Moscow, as proclaimed from Berlin, arc now rarely identical with the intentions of Rome and Moscow, as is evident by Italian and Russian action or, as in this case, inaction.

Indeed, Herr Hitler, who initiated the war, has already lost the initiative. He has also lost all his potential allies with the doubtful but admittedly-important, exception of Russia. Neither his submarine, noi his aerial attacks have produced the results calculated to dismay us ot to gratify him. And the winter that is now setting in will fall with fat heavier vigour on the Germans in the Siegfried Line than on the Allies in the Maginot Line and equally on the German population at home than on French and British. Empire Efforts “The immense efforts for which the British Dominions are preparing have barely begun to make themselves felt, and the a.ner.rl.nent of the neutrality law by the United Slate. 1 will open access to almost inexhaustible supplies ol’ munitions,

“But while all this is true, if justifies a sort of facile optimism. Ilerr Hitler is in full control of the German people. He has now given up all hope of a bloodless victory, and since he cannot force a protracted war, he may strike swiftly and hard. The civil and military conferences in Berlin this week suggest that the war may well be about to enter another and stern phase.

“By land, sea and air, as well as in the diplomatic field all the advantages appear to hr with the Allies, but it must be recognised that victory will j only be bought by heavy sacrifices.’’ j

The New Statesman says: “The war in the west is so far little more than a mutual blockade. Whether Nazi mentality can long maintain a defensive war such as Britain and France envisage, we have yet to see. Crafty Enemy

-The violent, speech given at the Nazi rally in Danzig by the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop. may herald a change, or it may not. Ilerr Hitler is a cautious, crafty enemy, and his air marshals and generals may not wish to risk a boomerang throw. There is at least i chance of a further period ol prudence, of manoeuvres to the accompaniment of mainly economic hostilities.”

Time and Tide says: "There has been much guessing as to what Herr Hitler’s next move will be. A big offensive in the West would seem to be out of the question this year. Even -ovv the weather has made military operations almost impossible. It is widely believed that there will be an aerial offensive against British mscs, docks and snipping. Such beliefs are purely speculative.

"So far Field Marshal GocringV much-vaunted air force has not been very impressive. Unit tor unit it would appear to be much inferior to the Royal Air Force. Intense Preparation

“The general prospect would seem .o be that the rest of the 1939 wilier will be used for intense preparation by Germany in consolidating and perhaps extending her eastern conquests. Meanwhile, it does not ook as though the war will begin : n real earnest until the spring. The Economist says: "It was the Allies who picked up economic warfare as the most apt .instrument to penetrate the Reich defences. It would seem that the enemy duly iccepted the challengers’ choice oi weapons.

“The German attacks on the British fleet, the lynch-pin of the Allies tranglehold on German commence, have so far failed and convoked nerchant ships have proved sale gainst Nazi U-boats and bombers. “Now, the third weapon is at work -—the fast armed raider. The luu force of the enemy’s attack abo\e nid below the water has still to be 'eveloped. In Europe a parallel 'radc offensive to clamp neutrals in the German block is going on. Hegemony of Trade “Neither facet of the Reich’s c commie warfare reflects much success Die captured American vessel, City of Flint, had to be taken by the cap 'or to a Russian port because the ’nproaches to Germany were banod. The wished-for hegemony of European trade can neither knock-ou Britain nor fill up the gaps in Geimany's supolies. Nor indeed, do the neutrals want it."

The Economist recalls that FieldMarshal Goering’s own journal has 'orecast war raining down on the British Isles and concludes: “The war we expected may indeed be coming. Nothing, however, can alter the fact that the Reich has had only small success so far. For the Allies, (lie war has gone well and according to plan.

“The Contraband control, the root!ng out of U-boats, the mobilisation if two armies on the Western Front, the loyalty of Turkey and the memy’s continued lack of allies all ■’-"‘■i' when sel beside the promise of vast aid from the Empire, symbol- •• meeting of Dominions ■'f’nNtprs in London this week, amply iustify the confidence of speeches '--niH/.'ict in the past few days by the Secretary of Stale for War, Mr.

" '-'"e-'-ki *l,O no’-ninlons Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden.”