Show J. J. J W. W T. T MASON SAYS j Duce Puce Unwise to Try African Fight With Fate of Britain Undecided B By J J. J W. W T. T MASON United Press Tress War r Expert Reports that Italy is preparing for offensive operations directed against Egypt and the Suez canal are modified by intimations from Rome that the starting order may be delayed until Germanys Germany's intentions toward Great Britain are more definitely determined and their results made plain Mussolini will show good military military military mili mili- tary judgment if he does not commit himself to a major campaign campaign campaign cam cam- in North North Africa while the outcome of Hitler's present and immediately prospective blows against the British remains 3 uncertain un un- un- un certain Warfare on a large scale in Africa would be difficult for for- Italy at best The sandy terrain and the lack of water require special means of transport con con- har harder harger er to td operate than the maintenance of lines of communication communication communication com com- in Europe Marshal Graziani is Europe's most competent competent competent com com- military master of desert conditions As commander in chief of Italian African forces he is well aware of the uncertainties uncertainties I ahead of him Should Germany obtain partial partial partial par par- mastery of the air air over Britain and weaken British command command command com com- mand of the he channel the difficulties difficulties of Graziani's task would be much lessened 1 Egypt's attitude attitude attitude at at- of antagonism might change and the middle east might be awed into subservience ence There is no present indication ho however ever that Italy is definitely counting on any such development develop develop- ment Roman newspaper comment comment comment com com- ment recently has been repeatIng repeating repeating repeat repeat- ing that the war will go into next year and may even last two years longer A fatal break in British resisting power therefore therefore therefore there there- fore cannot be counted upon by Mussolini in advance If Germany cannot overcome the British defenses Italy has no assurance the French colonial revolt against the Petain government gov gov- will will not spread through Morocco into Algeria Should Graziani move forward from Libya toward Suez his rear would be open to a French colonial colonial colo color nial attack from Algeria which borders Libya's western estern boundary boundary boun boun- dary |