NEWS OF THE WEEK
HE war is moving swiftly to its climax. That does not mean that there will be any early decision, but that the maximum of intensity in the fighting in Belgium and France is already on the point of being reached, and that a further extension of the struggle seems immediately imminent. The limits of that cannot be set. Switzerland is hourly expecting attack, Germany's purpose presumably being to turn the French right wing in conjunction with Italy, attacking simul- taneously on the Savoy frontier. However that may be, Italy is already so near the brink of war that it becomes increasingly difficult for Signor Mussolini to draw back, in spite of the urgency of the appeal President Roosevelt has made to him. Italy's belligerency would involve Turkey and Egypt auto- matically in the hostilities, and Greece and Yugoslavia would almost inevitably be drawn in. So, sooner or later, would Rumania and Bulgaria and Hungary. Almost all Europe, except Spain, whose continued neutrality seems probable, would be at war. But Russia's attitude may have considerable influence on the course of events. It looks at present as if she approves neither the extension of Italy's power in the Balkans nor the further extension of Germany's power anywhere. Her support might conceivably enable the Balkan States to remain neutral and at peace. But that seems improbable. In the major theatre the German rush has been largely stemmed after the fall of Holland, but the full weight of attack may not have been felt yet.
