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Show A STALEMATE WAR One school of thought holds that the war in Europe must inevitable become a stalemate that British seapower and German airpower will just about offset each other in effectiveness, effec-tiveness, and that neither Germans nor Allies will be able to make important gains through the great lines of fortifications fortifica-tions on the western front. From this, it is argued that both sides will finally be forced to conclude some kind of a peace, if only to prevent Communism from engulfing Europe. It has long been said that the only winner in a protracted European war will be Russia. And during the brief time this war has been fought, it is apparent that Stalin has achieved the only major victories. The ominous shadow of the U. S. S. R. blankets the Baltic completely and extends far into the Balkans. Many an expert argues that Hitler gave away for more than he gained when he made his deal with the Soviets. Today it seems certain that Russia holds the balance of power. She can stop Hitler cold in his northern advance-she advance-she holds Germany at her mercy when it comes to many esx sential supplies. On the other hand, if she threw in with Hitler and actually sent her vast army to fight with the Germans, Ger-mans, few believe France and England could long survive. The probabilities seem to be that Stalin has definitely decided de-cided not to take the later step it is to Russia's interest, most experts are convinced, that she stay neutral play one side against the other, and finally, when the two sides are worn and exhausted, step in and gather the spoils. Also of great importance is the current attitude of Italy. No longer does the controlled Italian press Heil Hitler at every opportunity and revile the French and British. Mussolini Mus-solini hates Communism, apparently, far more that he loves the Nazis. And the German-Russian pact seems to have blasted the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo axis to bits. . AT |