ITALY’S TROUBLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 January 1941, Page 5

ITALY’S TROUBLES

POWER IN NORTH AFRICA SMASHED

PROBLEMS FOR THE AXIS

HITLER'S POSSIBLE COURSES OF ACTION.

IBy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright <

LONDON, January 9

The majority of military comnientatois agree that Italy's power in North Africa has been smashed, and the question of the hour is what Italy's position will be as the allv of Germany.

It is regarded as unlikely that Italy will seek a separate peace or aim to lessen her support to Germany. All agree that Hitler’s problem has been aggravated by the fall of Bardia. He is now compelled to do one of two things: Either to assist Italy in the Mediterranean by sending troops and planes into Italy or to abandon Italy and concentrate his attack on Britain. The belief is prevalent that Hitler will prefer to keep Mussolini in the war because this would continue to split the British war effort and because. by retaining her place in the war. Italy will help to neutralise Germany’s Balkan troubles and it makes impossible even the remote possibility that the British might eventually attempt to strike at Germany through that region. One of Britain's chief problems as General Wavell prepared to assault Tobruk is io give the Italian people some solid reasons to hope that with Mussolini swept away they could enjoy a happy future.