ROAD TO VICTORY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 39, 15 February 1941, Page 11

ROAD TO VICTORY

THE MAIN ESSENTIALS

BRITAIN'S RESPONSE

SPEECH BY MR. ALEXANDER

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received February 15, 12.50 p.mi)

RUGBY, February 14,

The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Alexander, in opening the Bath War Weapons Week, said: "We have now been in conflict for a year and a half and every day we prove that victory in this war depends, among other things, on three particular efforts. . "First, on the gallantry and skill of our soldiers, sailors, and airmen. "Second, upon the ability and will of our organised labour forces to produce modern weapons of war. "Third, organisation of the financial strength of the British people, based upon our resources and buttressed by willingness to save and lend our savings to the nation and to the cause. "Of the gallantry and skill. of our fighting forces there can now be no doubt in the minds of anyone in the world. Whether we look at the ceaseless struggle of the officers and men of the Royal Navy and the Merchant' Navy by day and by night, or whether we consider the superb courage and high technical flying skill of our pilots who defeated the enemy last year in three of the greatest battles of history, or whether we turn to the achievements of the Army, both in its orderly and determined stand in France or its brilliant victories in Egypt, Libya, and East Africa, it is one and the same. "British courage, British skill, and British leadership in battle are as great as in every previous period in our history. "That is why, since the dark days of last May and June, there has been such a resurgence of faith and determination. All this has expressed itself in the universal trust reposed in our great Prime Minister, who has been responsible for pulling us through the dark days. GALLANT CITIZENS. "There is the aspect of the courage and skill of our people, which are newly expressed in this war for freedom. There is the daily and cumulative evidence of the gallantry and toughness of the ordinary citizens in face of the most ruthless and diabolical attacks ever made upon a civilian population. "At this stage in the fight we face grave dangers, and, no doubt, must expect to experience sore tribulations, but we view this prospect in a far different frame of mind and with a vastly-increased measure of confidence than could have been possible nine months ago." Turning to the question of war weapons, Mr. Alexander said: "Let us take the case of the Royal Navy. Surely you all agree that they are j worthy of your support, but they must I have more and more ships which can only be produced by the loyalty and devotion as well as the skill of our workers. I believe that we have only to tell them the need and stress the fact that every ship and every extra gun or shell will help to save the lives of their brothers at sea, as well as defend our island home, to find the response. LIBYAN EXAMPLE. "On this question of war weapons, too, there can be no better example than that of Libya to show that, given the equipment of modern mechanisation, great operations can be performed and great victories achieved with comparatively small loss of life. "As to the Air Force, can there be any doubt that in the uphill struggle in which we are engaged to overtake the air strength of Germany our brave pilots could not have achieved their victory but for the continuous production of planes, improved technical equipment, and the rapid repairing of damaged machines. This is indeed a war of weapons."

Mr. Alexander concluded: "We often hear of the necessity for stating pur war aims. Our aim in this war is the defence of democracy and freedom. I prefer to think of our aims in peace. This is why the Government has already appointed a Minister to consider the problems of reconstruction after the war. A general expression of our ideals of freedom must be found and be fulfilled to ensure the freedom and social secui'ity of our own people.

"Mistakes of the , last post-war period must not be repeated. Customs, privileges, and social amenities must not be allowed to stand in the way of the use of our power to create a better Britain. To the achievement of that purpose victory is the key. I believe that this is also the spirit animating the President and leaders of the great democracy across the western ocean."