Greymouth Evening Star. FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1943. ADDRESS TO CONGRESS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 May 1943, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1943. ADDRESS TO CONGRESS.

•yilE stage was all set for something ini- j pressive when Mr. Churchill addressed < Congress members at Washington. His i speech fulfilled expectations, if not really justifying the rhapsodies subsequently i forthcoming from some radio announcers and commentators. With his great gifts of oratory, with mostly things to say that his audience was delighted to hear, Mr. Church ill had no difficult task in makinggood, and he must have strengthened the bonds of Anglo-U.S.A. friendship. Whether he succeeded in converting those Senators and others who have hitherto opposed U.S.A, activity in post-war international affairs, time alone can tell. Unless the speech has this effect, it will scarcely rank as historic, nor be much more than a friendly talk to temporary partners. Mr. Churchill was, of course, addressing a much vaster audience than that he actually faced, the whole world being interested in what he had to say. Few could have expected any sensational revelations nor, at this juncture, any disclosure of the decisions taken in his recent talks with Mr. Roosevelt. His statement that better results Avcre being obtained against the U-boats was gratifying, but the see-saw nature of this branch of the war must be remembered before regarding the U-boat menace as ended. The Prime Minister s references to the aerial offensives against the Axis, and the great victory in N. Africa, were also ■welcome, as was the stress laid on the value of Anglo-U.S.A. co-operation both in ■war and peace. His immediate audience and the bulk 01. the American peoplp, however, -would be most interested in what he had to say about the Avar against Japan. Isolationists have encouraged a belief that -when Hitler is disposed of, Britain will be lukewarm in the effort to defeat. Japan, were she still unconquered, basing this propaganda on an extract from one ol: Air. Churchill s earlier speeches on the Avar situation, this interpretation was absurd, and early denied, but it provided material for the anti-British section in the U.S.A. AH. Churchill has now definitely declared, what should never have been questioned, that the British Empire is with the U.S.A. till Tokio is occupied and unconditional surrender has been enforced on the Japanese. The loud applause forthcoming from Congress will be re-echoed throughout the country. The U.S.A, has no doubt about ultimately defeating the Japanese, but the strength and resources of this “despised enemy” have given the Americans some unpleasant shocks. It is now realised that the roads to Tokio are unlikely to be easy paths, and British help will be invaluable. The British have a score to settle against the Japanese, and, apart from obligations to U.S.A., will be eager to wipe the slate clean. China, too. ’ has to be assisted, and that soon, it aid is to be effective. Air. Churchill’s broadcast may be followed in due course by one from Air. Roosevelt, regarding the AVash-

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