Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1941. THE BALKANS TANGLE.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 March 1941, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1941. THE BALKANS TANGLE.

AS the daylight grows in Europe, the present war ol continents and oceans is moving to its second, and, perhaps, deciding phase The end of the winter season sees Britain supreme in Africa as well as on the seas. Italian power is broken in Alrica beyond repair and all Hie aid which Germany can send her alh will be of no avail. Thus the domination of the axis is confined more closely than ever to the European mainland where l.li.mr is endeavouring to consolidate and extend his new oiden is plain that he does not intend to leave a foothold lor Brdis.i influence in Europe if he can help it, but his first rebull came when Greece showed her teeth and now Turkey is not inclined to walk into the spider's web. With his “continental system established, possibly as far south as the Aegean, towards which his legions are now heading, and north to Narvik, lie plans no doubt” to intensify his sea and air forays against British shipping and probably to organise an invasion of the British Isles. .The subjugation of the Balkan States by terrorism or arms is essential to the rounding off of Nazi-controlled Europe. They are not onlv an important source of German supplies, but also, wliile free and independent, a potential avenue of hostile entry to the axis world. Furthermore, if the war were Io go better for Germany than it has gone during the past few months, the Balkans could provide a valuable springboard for a Nazi advance to the long-coveted riches of the Middle East. Mussolini’s blunder in attacking Greece lias brought the British back to one corner of Europe to which Hitler thought he had excluded them, and it tightened their grip on’the Eastern Mediterranean by the control ol Greek liases, Ihe task ahead of Hitler is to repair, if he can. the coiisecpiences of Mussolini’s folly. The Italian buffoon went for Greece like a hull al a gale —but. Hitler’s tactics are different. His method is to isolate and overawe them, Io subject their leaders to mental tori me awl to convince them that it is better to yield than Io bi* beaten Hal. Thus he brought. Czecho-Slovakia down before the war, and has reduced Hungary, Roumania and Bulgaria since. I’nited, the Balkan States could have shown a strong front to Germany; divided they have produced a serious problem lor Greece, Turkey and Yugoslavia. Greece is determined Io tight Io the end and I here will come increased assistance from Britain as soon as the Italians are cleaned up in Africa. If there is any truth in the report, that German forces have landed in Lyhin’ then that is evidence that Hiller recognises Hie vital importance of holding up British I roops in Africa. Whether Ihe German assistance to the Italians (‘an be of any real value al this singe remains to be seen, because the Huns will find as lhe\ did in Ihe last, war, that in the British overseas troops then 1 is material superior in quality to the enslaved Germans who are fighting because they are compelled to do so by a sei of gangsters and murderers, the like of which the world him never previously known. If whatever Germans reach Africa come within the scope of the British forces the Huns will realise what it is to be up against, troops who are fighting for liberty and will not be dragooned into giving up.