WARNINGS UNHEEDED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 92, 19 April 1941, Page 10

WARNINGS UNHEEDED

PEOPLE'S REACTIONS TO REVERSES

WISDOM OF MR. CHURCHILL

(British Official Wireless.) | RUGBY, April 17. Some elements of public opinion here which admit to experiencing a sense of shock and disappointment at the developments of the past fortnight in the.war situation now realise that they have only themselves to blame if they were unprepared by the lessons of the German spring offensive last year and by the unmistakable signs and warnings of the past three months. Above all, "they are reflecting on the wisdom of the cautions which the Prime Minister, Mr. Churchill, has never omitted from his considered statements to Parliament on. the progress and prospects of the struggle.

They knew that when Hitler-strikes he strikes hard. They knew about the war of nerves, the suborning of disaffected partisans and weak-spirited leaders, the exploitation of diplomatic rights and privileges up to' the very moment when the pretence of legality is thrown aside for a treacherous lightning spring—the whole cynical technique by which the self-defence of the intended victims is weakened in advance.

They knew that when Hitler chose to strike again after months of waiting he would throw into the campaigns a long winter's accumulation of material, and that the weight of material would be such that it could be used in formidable concentrations towards more than one objective. They had been warned that while great improvements in supply had been effected during the winter, the strength of Britain on land, potentially no less great than on sea or in the air, must be patiently developed.

Nevertheless, the great Mediterranean and African victories against the Italians had tempted them to forget the sober statements in Parliament. Some of them listened to the welldeserved tributes to General Wavell and Admiral Cunningham and their men, and overlooked what the Ministers said about the situation as a whole. They did not attend to remarks such as those on equipment by the Secretary for War, Captain Margesson. As recently as March 6, introducing the Army Estimates, Captain Margesson said that while they had been able to send large reinforcements and equipment to the Middle East and to supply material aid to the allies,, they were still a long way from having all they would like to have or could put to good use.

During the past week, the people whose first reaction to the reports of the new German advance in the Near East was despondent, have, on the whole, rallied. The evidence of undiminished confidence and the determination of their leaders and of public opinion generally has had a tonic effect. They have had a salutory lesson in the dangers of complacency from the Prime Minister. Undoubtedly, however, an important factor, both in this resilience of depressed opinion and in the steadiness of the average outlook, has.been an appreciation of the foresight and sagacity of Mr. Churchill, who- has never exaggerated success nor .minimised; danger.. . .