NOTES AND COMMENTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 22, 5 November 1938, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

PACIFIC AIR PATROL. - The American Navy’s plan for patrolling the Pacific by air shows quite clearly where its western naval frontier begins, says the “Christian Science Monitor.” Defence-minded Americans doubtless will be reassured by the proposal to build a large flying fleet capable of operating along a fine laid down from Alaska to Hawaii to Samoa to Panama. But about the only assurances defence-minded Japanese can gain from 'the plan to extend the Atmerican naval frontier two-thirds of the way toward their shores is that the air patrol Mine is devised for scouting rather than combat. The plan discloses the navy’s intention to double its zone of operations by defending the vast ocean triangle south and west of the line running from Panama to Hawaii all the way down to Samoa. Strategically the new frontier gives the fleet base at Hawaii advance outposts some 2000 miles out on the north and south flanks. The Alaskan airbase would guard against attack from the Asiatic shore via the North. Pacific, while a Samoan air station presumably would guard against attack -from a hostile fleet based on islands in the South Seas.

INCIDENT IN THE COMMONS. A pen sketch of an incident in the final debate of the session in the House of'Commons is provided by “Atticus,” writing in the “Sunday Times,” as follows: Sir Archibald Sinclair opened the debate on foreign'* affairs, and, as usual, reduced the issues to a simplicity that made one wonder at the obstinacy of mankind, especially foreigners. The debonair leader of the Opposition Liberals is never in doubt about anything. His trim appearance, which centres in his bow-tie, his charming smile and his engaging' youthfulness always make me feel as if David Copperfield has somehow contrived to reach Westminster. In his speech he was, as usual, stripping the problem of foreign affairs to an almost indecent simplicity, when he stopped and leaned toward ' the Prime Minister. With a moving sincerity he said: “I am sure the thought uppermost in the mind of the Prime Minister—whose courage and industry in shouldering this heavy burden of responsibility we all admire, however much we dissent from his policy is the preservation of peace.” Mr Chamberlain looked up, obviously startled by the change of voice and the kindliness of the words. There was no time for him to assume the unemotional manner which so often hides the real gentleness and warmth of his nature. He' covered his face with his hands and did not look up for almost a full minute, and when he then looked across the table his face showed signs of the emotion which had evidently affected him so deeply. Indeed, this moving incident seemed to rob the Prime Minister’s subsequent speech of some of its Parliamentary effectiveness. When a small group of Socialists, unsupported by their colleagues, shouted derisively at Mr Chamberlain, he did not-wither them, as is his custom. He seemed hurt and puzzled at tfieir unwillingness to listen. He was jn no mood for the knock-about oi .debate.