LIKE A TONIC

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 100, 24 October 1942, Page 7

LIKE A TONIC

FIELD-MARSHAL SMUTS'S

SPEECH

LONDON, October 22. - Field-Marshal Smuts's. speech to members of the • Lords and Commons has had a tonic effect throughout Britain. Millions heard- the broadcast.' and the general comment on all sides in London today is' that the people were thrilled and impressed. The Press universally hails it with superlatives.

"The Times" referred to Field-Mar-shal Smuts's "Imperial voice" and his "authoritative judgment." The "Manchester Guardian" said Field-Marshal Smuts "encourages us." The "Daily Mail" called it a "noble speech." The "Daily Telegraph" expressed the opinion -that the speech was "antidote to denigration of the past, to doubting at present, and to frustration in' future. Following so closely on Mr. Churchill's and President Roosevelt's encouraging speeches, in comparison with those of the German leaders, it re-endorses the innate feeling of, confidence among the general public that the Allies will win the war, though it is realised that a bloody and perhaps sacrificial period lies ahead. There is a general feeling N that hard blows will be struck against the Axis in the coming months and that the winter will bring the Axis no respite from fighting. The King held a Council today at which Field-Marshal Smuts was present. Field-Marshal Smuts later had an audience of the King and later again was' received by the Queen.