"EMPIRE CANNOT BE BEATEN "

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23317, 1 May 1941, Page 8

"EMPIRE CANNOT BE BEATEN "

DUTCH JOURNALIST’S

VIEWS

(P.S.S.) AUCKLAND, April 30. “Anyone who has been in London since the ‘blitz’ began knows that the British Empire cannot be beaten,” said Mr W. S. Boas, a Dutch journalist, who arrived by the Honolulu Clipper from the United States. Mr Boas, who is president of the Netherland Publishing Corporation,' the concern which publishes Free Netherlands newspapers in Britain and the United States, will spend some time in New Zealand before continuing to the Netherlands East Indies. “The general opinion among prominent and well-informed people _ in the United States is that it is ridiculous to think that a British army was sent to the Balkans with a chance of defeating the big German military machine,” Mr Boas said. “It was sent to gain time, and if in that respect things might have turned out more favourably, it will not make any difference in the ultimate result of the war. The British Empire will get a few more hidings, perhaps; but even after taking the Balkans Hitler will not win the war. A change will come the moment that 10,000 aeroplanes, but not one less, go over Germany arid give the country a thorough pasting. The difference in morale will count. The British can take it, but the Germans cannot. Mr Churchill and his associates can speak out, and tell the British people that there are hard times ahead; but each time a dictator speaks he must find new stones to prove to his people how invincible he IS> Mr Boas issued a warning against magnifying the stories of strikes and sabotage in the United States, He expressed the view that Mr Roosevelt had the position well in hand, and said that the moment the huge American industrial plan started working in full the United States production of armaments would put in the shade anything ever seen in the past. “Every new Gallup poll proves that American public opinion is each day becoming more in favour not only, of helping Britain, but of beating Hitler, he continued. “Too much attention should not be paid to the words of men like Colonel Lindbergh and Senator Wheeler, whose influence was enormously overrated' as a result of clever propaganda. Figures speak louder that words” Mr Boas said. “Last week Colonel Lindbergh gave a cleverly advertised lecture in Chicago and 10,000 people went; but the Polish leader, General Sikorski, who also spoke in Chicago, with practically no propaganda heln, attracted 75,000 people, and had to accommodate them in a sports ground.” PRODUCTION OF ARMAMENTS ——♦_— INDIANS FOR TRAINING IN BRITAIN (8.0. W.) RUGBY, April 29. Significant of the co-operation between India and England in the matter of armaments production is a scheme for bringing Indian workers to Britain for training. A number are coming to be trained at Government training centres. They will return to their own country with the knowledge they have gained to assist in the complete development of war industries in India. The first batch, 50 strong, consists of young men of about 20 years of age. Coming from all parts of India, they are men who already have a certain amount of industrial experience. These are now on their way. They are only the vanguard. A further batch will follow, and if the scheme is a success others will follow them. , Before leaving, they were entertained at Bombay on behalf of The Government of India, and the meeting was addressed by a number of distinguished Indians, including Mr N. M. Joshi, president of the Indian Trades Union Congress. * After arriving in London the party will go on to Government training centres which are training people in Britain to play a useful part m the drive to increase the, production of armaments. Each centre has room for a large number of trainees, and 50 of these places will be set aside for Indians, while the rest will continue to be filled by English men and women. The training course will be similar to that given to English trainees. In addition to their board and lodging, the Indians will receive 8s a week pocket-money, and dependants allowances will be paid by the Government of India.