BRITAIN'S ALLY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20414, 26 November 1940, Page 6

BRITAIN'S ALLY

U.S.A. BEHIND THE LINES PLAYING INCREASING PART COMMON HERITAGE “Great Britain’s ally behind the lines,” was the manner in which the United States of America was described by Professor James H. Gilbert, Professor of Economics, Oregon University, when forecasting in an interview with the Waikato Times the part that America was likely to play in the war as a result of the re-election of President Roosevelt. Although he did not consider America’s*entry into the war an immediate likelihood, he qualified his statement with the comment that active participation would depend upon the duration of the conflict. Without a doubt, however, the United States’ supply of war materials to Britain would become increasingly impressive. “I am pleased with the outcome of the American Presidential elections,” he said. “Although my information has been rather meagre, it was exactly as I had expected. Mr. Roosevelt is a great statesman and I consider that he is one of the fotir or five ablest executives America has had. America’s Increasing Part “The essential consideration which influenced the American decision was tlie desire to continue in power the man who knows thoroughly the background of the international crisis. Americans thought it unsafe to ‘drop the pilot’ or to ‘swop horses.’ Mr. Willkie is no doubt an able executive, but he is wholly unversed in the complicated international situation. Many staunch Republicans apparently voted for Mr. Roosevelt because of his obvious fitness to handle the world crisis, in which America must play an increasing part. "Under the new administration the United States will go forward with increased efficiency in furnishing Great Britain with all the assistance which lies within its power. Britain is fighting the cause of the United States ,and the enduring peace for which we all hope is possible only by considered action of the Anglo-Saxon people throughout the world.

Will America Enter War? “We have a common heritage to protect and perpetuate,” added Prolessor Gilbert. “That is the mission of the United States as well as of the British Empire.” Questioned regarding the possibility of America’s active participation in the war, Professor Gilbert said: “I think the answer to that question depends on the duration of the war. If America is involved at all in the near future, it is likely that her chief function will be to preserve intact United States and British interests in the Pacific. “America also will take care of any threats from Japanese aggression to either American or British interests, including New Zealand or Australia.” Professor Gilbert added that if it should occur that Britain was sorely pressed, he considered America certainly would take action to preserve civilisation in the world. It was his opinion, however, that Hitler had lost his opportunity of subduing Great Britain. U.S. Planes—British Airmen From now on, the combination of American and British aircraft and the superb quality of the British and Dominion pilots ensured an ever-increas-ing Empire mastery of the skies, he declared. The British vigour and alertness of character had given the airmen an advantage over the Nazi, and when the day came to make possible the matching of machine for machine and man for man with the enemy, the Royal Air Force would subdue Germany. Furthermore, the British attacks on Nazi military objectives .would strike at the heart of the Reich a more staggering blow than bombardment from the air of women and children, cities and towns, as was the German method. Americans had been relieved by what they considered was the failure of the Nazi blitzkrieg. “In my opinion,” said Professor Gilbert, “the factor which will finally decide the struggle will be the British character, which I find exemplified in this Dominion as well as in the British Isles.