BRITAIN SIGNALS THE COURSE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 226, 19 June 1940, Page 8

BRITAIN SIGNALS THE COURSE

In the dark hours of Monday—the period of shock and suspense which followed the announcement of Marshal Petain s endeavour to conclude a separate peace with Germany—the whole Empire turn to London and to the words of Britain s Prime Minister. On the wireless shortwaves of the world there was a perceptible pause, fens of millions of people waited. They knew what would come, but to know was not enough. They had to hear the words, to bite on them, echo them and applaud them. They sought a new expression of the resolute leadership so vital to the Allied cause. Round it they were ready to set the seal of their unity. . The lead came. It offered us nothing new, being largely a leaffirmation of that which was said so inspiringly a few. weeks ago. But this was what was wanted. “What has happened in Fiance, said Mr. Churchill, “makes no difference to the British faith and purnose We have become the sole champions now in arms to defend the world cause. We shall do our best to be worthy of that high honour. We shall defend our island, and with the British Empire around us we shall fight on unconquerable until the curse of Hitler has been lifted from the brows of men. We are sure that in the end all will be well. The stark simplicity of this statement leaves nothing obscure or unimagined. The swiftness of the response to the message not only, proves the welcome which awaited it but also emphasizes—if emphasis were required—the full truth of what the Prime Minister said. The Empire is indeed ranged round Britain in an hour of supreme pen . But the Dominions of the Empire have offered more than a loyal sentiment. The Canadian Minister of Transport was able to say immediately that “in consequence of France’s decision Canada s wartime industry had been thrown into a crescendo of. production. The output of anti-tank and anti-aircraft shells had j’ust been, increased y one-third and the rate would be further increased. .. . The assurance of the Australian Prime Minister that the free peoples of the world “must get together and act promptly” followed on an announcement that still wider industrial output and a still larger defence programme were being prepared. . . . The power of the vocal lead, the virile example, at the timely, dramatic moment, has made itself felt throughout the English-speaking world this week. It can safely and significantly be said that on no occasion before or since the outbreak of the present war has Empire enthusiasm and solidarity been so unanimous or unmistakably dear as it is today. Travail has welded us. In this country the will and resolution of the people are no less firm and unswerving of purpose. In a small land of limited resources of the kind from which weapons may be forged, with no large reserve of fully-trained manpower .immediately available, we cannot make sudden, spectacular contributions to the fighting services. But we, too, can do more than merely to add an eager voice in the Empire chorus of defiance to the oncoming enemy. We can and we must, with no delay, re-examine our entire resources of both personnel and production so that every ounce and every possible kind of aid can be given. ‘ At the moment it is impossible to judge with any certainty how the new situation in the war zones will immediately develop. Nor can we tell what needs in the next few weeks and months will be most urgent. But today we can be certain of one thing: If we are to play an effective part—our just part—in the intensified struggle which lies ahead, no renewed effort we can make to increase food supplies for Britain by either production or conservation, or both; no amount of preparation to train our manhood for war; no amount of internal economy and reorganization we can accomplish—none of these can be considered superfluous. On the contrary, they are vitally needful. It is our •bounden duty to apply them all to the utmost of our ability. Yesterday’s announcement of emergency regulations embracing compulsory training for military service was a practical step on the right path. We could have made no better or more timely gesture. Now we must go full speed ahead nationally and wholeheartedly. The “all in” effort, electrified by the emergency, must have an increasing purpose. Britain has signalled her lead to the Empire. We need the additional benefit of a united, inspirational lead here.