PEACE ONCE MORE

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 39, 15 August 1945, Page 7

PEACE ONCE MORE

Resistance Broken Everywhere

INITIAL TREACHERY RECALLED

LONDON, August 14. Resistance Everywhere Broken. In a broadcast following his announcement, Mr. Attlee said that on December 7, 1941, Japan, whose onslaught China had already withstood for four years, fell upon the United States of America, which was then unarmed, and on the Governments which had fought together against Germany and Italy. Taking full advantage of her surprise and treachery, Japan over-ran the territories of most of the Allies in the Far East, and at one time it appeared that she might invade the Australian mainland and even advance into India. "Then the tide turned, though at first slowly, and then with ever-increasing speed and violence as the mighty forces of the United States and the British Commonwealth and Empire and of the Allies, and finally Russia, were brought ,to bear. The enemy's resistance was now everywhere broken. Gratitude To Our Allies. "At this time," he continued, "we should pay tribute to the men from this country, from the Dominions, from India, and the Colonies; to our fleets, armies, and air forces who have fought so well in the arduous campaign against Japan. Our gratitude goes to all our splendid Allies, and above all to the United States, without whose prodigious efforts the war in the East would still have many years to run. , "We also think especially at this time of the prisoners in Japanese hands; of our friends in the Dominions of Australia and New Zealand, in India, in Burma. We rejoice that their sufferings will soon be at an end and that these territories will soon be purged of the Japanese invader." The Great Task Ahead. Mr. Attlee went on to say that at home there would be a short respite from the exertions they had all borne without flinching or complaint for so many dark years. He had no doubt that throughout industry the Government's lead in the matter of victory holidays would be followed and that Wednesday and Thursday would be treated everywhere as days of holiday. Some, however, would have to work on essential maintenance. When they returned to work on Friday morning they would have to turn their energy again to the great task that challenged them. In conclusion, Mr. Attlee said: "Peace has once again come to the world. Let us thank God for this great deliverance and for His mercy. Long live the King."