The Evening Star THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1941. THE NARROW AND THORNY WAY.

Evening Star, Issue 24005, 2 October 1941, Page 6

The Evening Star THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1941. THE NARROW AND THORNY WAY.

In his speech iu the House of Commons Mr Churchill dispelled all illusions about a quick and early victory, and the Empire should' be grateful to him for his candour and courage. It would have been much easier for him to have glossed over some of the difficulties with which the Allies arc beset. That is not his way. To,emerge successfully from this titanic struggle three things, in the words of the Prime Minister, are necessary—strenous exertions, perfect unity of purpose, and unrelenting tenacity. Mr Churchill’s admonition is timely, for two dangers to be avoided are unreasoned optimism and undue attention to affairs of purely internal political interest. Points that are encouraging in the speech are the reference to the relative shipping losses, which seem to indicate that the Battle of the Atlantic is being slowly but surely won, and the improvement in the basic food ration in Britain as a consequence. There is, however, a qualification so far as shipping is concerned', and that is that an intensification of“TJ-boat warfare, supported by heavy German bombers, may be expected. Mr Churchill cautiously referred to the general position as “ not entirely unsatisfactory,” and hinted at the good results so far achieved from the American and Russian efforts, though these developments will in no way lift the burden of responsibility of winning the war from the shoulders of tho Empire. The most that Mr Churchill would commit' himself to is that “ we have climbed from the pit of peril on to a fairly broad iplateau.” One outstanding characteristic possessed by Mr Churchill is his tolerance of criticism. Arm-chair critics and amateur strategists are very much in evidence. Their well-meant advice is not resented by the Prime Minister. On the contrary, he said the dangers and possibilities so freely canvassed and how to meet them were studied day in and day out All the arguments about them in the public Press were considered as well as every helpful suggestion from any quarter. The effect of the furious attacks by the German legions on the Russian territories may be inferred from the speech, which declared that extensive and serious sacrifices will have to be made to enable the Soviet to retain its position as a first class military Power. On questions of grand strategy the Prime Minister was naturally reserved, contenting himself with pointing out some of the possibilities. What the Empire has to face is the fact that notwithstanding its enormous losses the Nazi military machine is functioning efficiently and with enormous mechanised power.' Further, though the German people must be suffering severely from the losses of the army on the battlefield, from food and other shortages, and from the destructive effects of the Royal Air Force raids over the country, there is no real evidence that the German morale has seriously weakened. An enormous gain to the Nazi leaders and to tho population generally arises through tho occupation of so many European countries, which have been systematically despoiled for the benefit of the invaders. Supplies of every kind have been secured, and apparently the enemy’s most serious shortage is in the air. In the present crisis the Empire can be thankful that it has such a leader as Winston Churchill. His ancestor, the Duke of Marlborough (John Churchill), won the important Battle of Blenheim, and in a poem written by Addison these lines occurred;

So when an angel by divine command With rising tempests shakes a guilty land, Such as of late o’er .pale Britannia past, Calm and serene he driyes the furious blast, And, pleased the Almighty’s orders to perform. Rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm.

The analogy can be applied to Winston Churchill to-day.