FIRST TEN WEEKS

Evening Star, Issue 23422, 13 November 1939, Page 7

FIRST TEN WEEKS

MR WINSTON CHURCHILL’S REVIEW CONFLICT FAVOURS THE ALLIES GREAT BRITAIN IN FIGHTING TRIM NAZI GERMANY'S LACK OF FRIENDS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 12, (Received November 13, at noon.) In a broadcast to-night Mr Winston Churchill reviewed the first 10 weeks of the war, which, he said, had turned out well for the Allies. The power of the Empire and the French Republic to restore the life of Poland and Czechoslovakia was growing every day. Parliamentary countries aiming at individual freedom and abundance started with a heavy handicap against dictatorship, whose sole aim had been war and the preparation and creation of a military machine. 'Britain and France had tried in many ways to prevent war, and for the sake of peace had let many things happen which ought not to have happened. Now war was forced on them, Britain would persevere in making war until the other side had had enough of it, “ You may,” said Mr Churchill, “ take it for certain that either all that Britain and France stand for in the modern world will go down or that Hitler, the Nazi re- • gime, and the recurring German or Prussian menace to Europe will be broken and destroyed. That is the way the matter lies, and everybody had better make up their minds to that solid and sombre fact.” Although not underrating either the power or the malignity of the enemy, Britain was not disturbed by bloodcurdling threats of frightful vengeance but was prepared' to endure tribulation if the threats were transformed into action. Mr Churchill paid a tribute to the calm and resolution of the British people, who at the beginning of the war expected that a fearful storm would at once fall, for which ordeal they steadily braced themselves. In the weeks which had elapsed Britain had got herself into fighting trim, the Navy and Air Force being stronger and the Army more numerous. The U-boats had been controlled, and British world-wide trade was proceeding in 4,000 vessels, of which 2,500 were constantly at sea. Mr Churchill continued: 11 The superior quality of our Air Force has been proved both in pilots and machines over the enemy. Our aircraft have shot down 15 German, oversea raiders without losing one machine in the combats. We have a marked advance in the higher range of science applied to war, and this is improving every week that passes.” EVENTS IN OUR FAVOUR. Reviewing the events which had moved in Britain’s favour, Mi' Churchill said: ‘‘ltaly, which we had feared might be drawn from its historic partnership with Britain and Franco a partneiship which will become increasingly fruitful—has preserved strict neutrality, and no quarrel has developed between us and Japan, These two Powers, which had) joined Nazi Germany in the anti-comintern pact, find it difficult, to accommodate themselves to the change of front towards Bolshevism which Hitler and his bad adviser, von Ribbentrop, have perpetuated. No one can underrate the importance of the treaty between Britain, France, and Turkey. The Soviet Governmeilt, embodied in the formidable figure of M. Stalin, has barred) off once and for ever all Nazi dreams of an advance in the East. The left paw of the Bear bars Germany from the Black Sea and the right paw disputes with her control of the Baltic ” “ Whatever history may record about those events,” said Mr Churchill, “ the fact which we have to reckon with is perfectly plain. Nazi Germany is barred off from the east, and has to conquer the British Empire and the French Republic or perish in the attempt.” Speaking of Holland and Belgium, Mr Churchill said these nations had been given solemn guarantees by the Nazis, but their frontiers had been crowded by vast numbers of German troops. “ CORNERED MANIAC.” ” I shall not attempt to prophesy whether the frenzy of a cornered maniac will drive Hitler into the worst of ail his crimes, but this I say without doubt; The fate of Holland and Belgium, like that of Poland, Czecho-Slovakia, and Austria, will be decided by the victory of the British Empire and the French Republic, If we are conquered, all will be enslaved, and the United States will be left single-handed to guard the rights of man. If we are not destroyed, all thesg countries will be rescued and restored to life and freedom.” WORLD AGAINST HITLER. Mr Churchill stated that the experience of the last war made him careful to be neither over-confident nor unduly sanguine, and ho was sure of rough weather ahead; but he felt that the Germany of to-day was less strong and well-founded than the Germany which the Allies and the U.S.A, forced to beg for an armistice 21 years ago. Never did he lack the conviction that the Nazi Government were unsure of themselves, aud as they looked out from Germany to-night they could not sec one friendly eye in the whole word. Italy averted her gaze, Japan was puzzled, Turkey and all Islam were on the side of progress, the Indian and Chinese people, whatever their thoughts on.

other matters, regarded a Nazi triumph with undisguised dread The United States had made no secret of her sympathies, and Russia regarded the Nazis with flinty stare. “The whole world is against Hitler and Hitlerism. Even in Germany there are millions who stand aloof . from the seething mass of criminality and corruption constituted by the Nazi Party machine. Let them take courage amid their perplexities and perils, for it may well be that the final extinction of a baleful domination will pave the way to a broader solidarity of all men in all lands than we could ever have planned if we had not marched together through the fire.”-