Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1941 BRITAIN’S NEED.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 February 1941, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1941 BRITAIN’S NEED.

IT was scarcely necessary for Mr. •* Roosevelt’s persona] representative, Mr. Harry Hopkins, to declare that “the British need our help desperately and need it now.” That is a well-recognised ■ fact. Nevertheless, his verdict, given as a result of first-hand knowledge of the situation in Britain, will probably result in a further stiffening of American public opinion, in support of the President’s clearlyindicated policy of giving all aid to the nation which is waging a determined battle on behalf of freedom for the democracies. The testimony of Mr. Hopkins should also have a favourable influence upon the decision of the Senate on the Aid-to-Btitain Bill. “Give us the tools,” said Mr. Churchill, recently, “and we will finish the job.” The observations of Mr. Hopkins endorse this appeal, and he has stressed the fact tliat materia], not men, is the immediate requirement. If that is forthcoming in sufficient quantity, he has

<4lO doubt that Hitler can be defeated, and that the war will not end in a stalemate. Incidentally, Mr. Hopkins has found that the many expressions of British determination are well-founded, and, using typical American phraseology, he asserts that the British arc “about as tough a crowd as there is,” and he does not think Hitler can “lick” them. It is significant, that, while refusing

to be drawn as to the real purpose 1 of his mission in Britain, Mr. Hopkins indicated that it included more than mere observation. The result of his report to the Presided will probably have important results in the near future, and it may be. taken for granted that they will not be pleasing to Hitler and his associates in aggression. Meanwhile, , Britain continues to wage war vigorously against the Axis Powers. The B.A.F. is continually adding to its splendid record of achievement, in spite of long distances to be covered, often in adverse weather, before the objectives are reached. The Channel ports, which may possibly be intended by Hitler to be the start-ing-points for his long-threatened invasion of England, are experiencing bombing raids of the greatest intensity, and the successes of the R.A.F. have doubtless been responsible to a great extent for the delay in launching the venture. If ever the German forces do make an invasion attempt, and succeed in setting foot on English soil, they will meet resistance of a strength ■tfdiich will be surprising. The greatest army in the history of the Homeland awaits the invaders, and no fears are entertained as to the outcome. So far as Mussolini is concerned, Hitler is depending upon a weak reed. Almost daily, the cablegrams bring news of further Italian reverses in Albania, while the brilliant British victories have caused to crash in ruins II Duce’s hopes of establishing a great empire in Africa. Outstanding leadership, with perfect co-ordination among the three fighting services, have turned the Italian, retreat in each African theatre into a rout. Mussolini, faced with enormous losses in men and material, and increasing dissatisfaction in Italy itself, must be bitterly regretting the treacherous policy which has now recoiled upon himself. His dream of conquest has developed into a nightmare, and worse is probably yet to come. The complete defeat of the Italians, in Africa, which is now confidently hoped for, will release large British forces for use against the Germans, whose next move still remains uncertain.