The Evening Star THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1942. DESIRE FOR ACTION.

Evening Star, Issue 24296, 10 September 1942, Page 4

The Evening Star THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1942. DESIRE FOR ACTION.

“ Since wo were last together the tendencies of the war continue to move in our favour.” These words of Mr Churchill, uttered in his latest House of Commons speech, are in themselves a clear and sufficient reason why the British Prime Minister did not feel disposed or impelled this time to rise to great heights of impassioned oratory in his review of the general situation. His more colourful speeches of the past have served their purpose. They are no longer necessary as an encouragement to a gallant people struggling against odds, a people who, though ever indomitable, have at times been bewildered by grave and unforeseen developments. The desire now is for action, swift and powerful. We are getting the tools and wo are doing the job. The Commons was in no mood for lengthy debate, and some of the members, at the risk of being charged with discourtesy towards the Prime Minister, even went to the length of leaving the chamber before the address was half finished. In view of the Government’* past triumph in the debate on the motion of censure, it cannot be that the changed atmosphere was due to any feelings of dissatisfaction with the present regime or its leadership, or to a political undercurrent. The truth 'is that, although difficulties and dangers still lie ahead for the democracies, the light of final victory is shining more clearly. The Allies are conscious of a growing strength, and the main concern now of the people is for the enemy to be smitten quickly beyond all hope of military recovery. Speeches and debates will not do this. If the Prime Minister told us nothing new, he at least strengthened preconceived notions that the Allies are planning big operations in various parts of the world. Clarifying the objects of his visit to Moscow and the Middle East, he expressed the conviction that his delegation had succeeded in making the Russians feel confidence in the Allies’ loyal and sincere resolve to go to their aid as quickly as possible. Mr Churchill’s remarks on the conduct of the war in North Africa were of particular interest to the dominions whose fighting men are engaged on that front. It is a pity that British military leader-ship-'does not appear to be measuring up to the ability and the offensive spirit of' the Army as a body. The cause of this deficiency will no doubt he eradicated by the proper authorities. In the meantime we- can take comfort from the thought that the changes effected had some connection with the “ massive judgment of Field-Marshal Smuts.” The great South African leader is solicitous for the welfare of the whole continent, and would suggest the new appointments in the certainty that the best was being done to defeat the Axis forces on African soil. Both Mr Churchill and President Roosevelt before him have spoken of the major activity to come. It will now bo the universal belief that the foundation for invincibility has been laid by the understanding arrived- at by Britain, the United States, and Russia—an understanding to which Mr Churchill himself has perhaps been the chief contributor.