The Course of the War

P.1.M.” forecasts have been fairly accurate, so we venture to predict the events of the next few months. The indications are: Much of France will be over-run, and the valiant French armies will be partly crippled. But the French will not surrender.

There will be bitter fighting against Italy in the Mediterranean, probably with heavy naval and air losses on both sides. Italian submarines will severely damage British shipping in the Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Pacific.

The United States, and Turkey, will enter the war, beside the Allies.

If Italy attacks a Balkans country, Greece will join the Allies, and Russia may enter the war against Italy. Roumania may join Germany.

Hitler, at an early moment, will launch a terrific attack against Britain, by air and sea.

The Allies should expect no vic tories and little encouragement this summer. They will be “all out” to save themselves from disaster. They must hold on; and they will be aided therein by the dominating strength of the British - French - American fleets. That fact may keep Spain quiet.

Meanwhile, the United States will come to their aid, with aeroplanes, munitions, sea-power and, if needed, a great expeditionary force.

Russia and Japan remain as in calculable factors. Either Power may go either way.

The war will begin to change in the Allies’ favour in 1941, as a result of their mounting air-power, plus their existing sea-power.

But there are black months ahead.

Accumulation of cocoa stocks in West Africa, owing to, the loss of pre-war mar kets, particularly in Germany, Holland and Scandinavia, has created serious pressure on available storage space. The British Government has decided, after consultation with Gold Coast and Nigerian Governments, to destroy the middle crop. This crop is of inferior qual ity to the main crop and, by quickly breeding insect pests, becomes a menace to the new crop.

Mr. W. B. Ball, District Officer in New Britain, has been appointed Superintend ent of the N.G. Police Force, succeeding Colonel John Walstab, who has enlisted.

Mr. H. Cooper arrived in Suva from the African Gold Coast in May to join the Fiji Civil Service.