Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1942. MR. CHURCHILL’S REVIEW.

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 May 1942, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1942. MR. CHURCHILL’S REVIEW.

JN liis review of the war happenings, Mr. Churchill could not avoid repeating some of his former comments, there being, indeed, little that was new in his broadcast, apart from his warning to Germany concerning tin 1 use of poison gas. His emphasis on this question suggested that he accepts the nqiort as accurate, of the Nazi intention to descend to this desperate and hateful form of attack in the offensive against Russia. It has long been pari of the “nerve war” by the Germans to threaten gas and bacteria horrors against those who oppose them, military forces and civilians alike, but so far these menaces have not materialised. The British authorities have from the beginning of the war taken these threats seriously, and one of the first defensive measures, even before the war started, was to supply the British people with gas-masks. For a time, these were carried by the majority of British people, wherever they went, but as time went by. and no gas was used by the enemy, tin* precautions taken dwindled, and, of late, the carrying of gas masks has been, more or less abandoned. Air. Churchill’s warning may cause a return to the previous readiness against gas attack on civilians. Gas-masks are hideous in appearance and unpleasant to wear, but it is claimed that they “would negative enemy objectives. Not all scientists and other experts agree that Ihe claims regarding the efficiency of gas as a war-weapon are well-lounded, but the happenings in the last war, proved that agonising death ami terrible sullering

could be inflicted by gas. and it would be foolish to belittle tin* tragic, possibili--1 ies. Germany started tin 1 use of gas in the 1914-18 campaign, and Britain began to retaliate, until by the time the armistice was signed, she had huge stores of gas ready to use against the enemy. In this campaign. Britain is believed to haw prepared against the evil day ol Germany’s repeated use ol poison gas. and .Ur. Church ill’s warning was no ‘‘paper threat. Exactly how the gas would be used against German troops and centres is not divulged, but there need be no doubt that this weapon would deal out disastrous consequences to flic German people. The whole idea of using poisongas in war is revolting to Anglo-Ameri-can people, but the great majority will approve the decision to retaliate in this way if Hitler starts such methods. It is to bi* hoped that he will retrain from adding horror where there is tar too much already. Desperate men. however, have little compunction, and Hitler s position is becoming desperate.

Air. Churchill, always confident of final viclory, dwell, in his latest broadcast, less on the “blood and sweat.” and more on the increasing strength of the Allies. His words wei-e intended for the Axis nations as well as the Democracies. He emphasised again that Germany is the main enemy, and once she is defeated, the rmiiaindei of the Axis nations will lie comparatively “easy meat.” Without going into details, he intimated that a more aggressive policy against the Germans will be followed, and not only in the air. It must be admitted that he glossed over the unpleasant aspects of tin* situation as it is. to-day, bur he was warranted in giving a message of good cheer. It does appear that the worst is over, and from now on. whatever tin 1 temporary checks, the United Nations should go from strength to st rengl h.