Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1940 OUTSIDE EVIDENCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 December 1940, Page 8

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1940 OUTSIDE EVIDENCE.

is truth?” is often asked these days, when considering conflicting claims in connection with British-German aerial warfare. It is difficult to accept all the optimistic claims by British broadcasters or the cabled reports, just as it is easy to realise that the Germans are lying. It is obvious that the R.A.F. are proving superiority to the enemy, but the latter is not to’ be despised. The Germans have base advantages apart from numerical superiority, and the tales told of their greatly inferior machines, too youthful pilots, or unwillingness to fight, all savour of propaganda to maintain British people’s morale. It is refreshing to have the opinion of an independent expert, General Chaney, one of the U.S.A, mission which recently' visited Britain. On the whole, he is very encouraging. He ranks the German blitzkrieg failure as decisive, and is convinced that Britain will win the war, if she goes all out. This estimate is the more valuable because of its effect on U.S.A, efforts to send aid to Britain. Like most people, the Americans like to be backing the winner, and the greater the belief in Britain’s ability to defeat her foes, the greater will be U.S.A, enthusiasm to assist. This is already seen in new proposals to sell Britain ships, make her credits, and otherwise

supply her urgent needs. It will be noted that General Chaney gives the Germans due credit when he considers them to be superior. He does not agree with the allegations that German petrol is of poor quality, or that their aerial engines are inferior, and he places the American planes on the lowest level, in some respects. How contrary is this estimate to those so frequently proclaimed by others. General Chaney’s judgment may be wrong, but his honesty cannot be doubted. Confidence in a British victory, despite aerial “blitz” and U-boat activity, has again been expressed by General Smuts, who claims that the tide has turned in Britain’s favour. If it be thought that he is pro-British and, therefore, would be optimistic, evidence of a growing faith in Britain’s ultimate triumph may be seen in lands in Europe, that care little for Britain. The Balkan countries and Spain are reshaping their policies in a direction less favourable to the Axis, and they would not do this if they thought that a German “new order” would ever be established. Russia, too, is coming a little more into the open, and is checking Axis plans, especially in the Near East, and possibly in the Far East. German continued recognition of the Chungking Government will not increase Japanese enthusiasm for the Axis. A review of the whole situation is encouraging, despite the effects of German raids on Britain and the U-boat successes.