ALLIES OR GERMANS

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 246, 19 October 1942, Page 5

ALLIES OR GERMANS

GENERAL FEELING IN BRITAIN SMUTS'S VISIT A POINTER, P.A. Special. LONDON, Oct. 18. No Dominion statesman visitang Britain during the war has aroused -greater interest and speculation than General S-muts, whose p-resence to-day is universally welcomed. From all sides p-our tributes to this great Empire statesman, together with -conjecture as to what will be the outcome of his visit. It has certainly intensified the feeling that Afriea will be an important war centre this winter — which is 110 mere speculation in view of the present heavy attacks against Malta, which are probably cover for convoyS, and also in view of the recent incessant prophecies by Goebbels that the British will soon attack in Li'oya. General Smuts, in a statement on his arrival, said: "I continue to empliasise to the b-est of my ability the importance of the African theatres of war." This is taken as a pointer io the tenor of his suggestions to the War Cabinet. Support for Goebbels's forecast is fcased on the following: It is possibly too late for a Western offensive this year, for which reason the best aid which can be given to Russia will -be by engaging the Germans in Afriea, v/liere the sea'son and climate are at piesent favourable. In addition, Lommel's menace to Elgypt must be removed There are also signs that the Germans are making a movement towards Afriea, that the Luftwaffe has begun a diversion to the Mediterranean, and that German troops are reported to be moving to the Balkans. The p-resen-ce of General Smuts is taken as indicating that the African theatres are -being affected by great decisions in London, as well as by those in Berlin. Largely as a result of the speeches by President Roosevelt and Mr Churchill in eomparison with those of the German leaders, there is a new hope and expectancy a-broad tempered by the feeling that people are talking too soon and too confidently of Germany's transition from the offensive to the defensive, especially in view of the Germans' further progress at Stalingrad and their -preparations for Afriea. Nevertheless this feeling is healthy and invigorating. One of the blackest aspects of the war for the Allies remains the toll taken by German submarines, which are keeping up relentless and incessant attacks and can be expected to continue to do so.