BRITISH STRENGTH VITAL TO AVOID WAR WITH RUSSIA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22818, 13 December 1948, Page 5

BRITISH STRENGTH VITAL TO AVOID WAR WITH RUSSIA

(11 a-m.) LONDON, Dec. 12. “Our country is in grave danger because our individual freedom, national independence and traditional way of life are at stake,” said Sir John Harding, G.0.C., Southern Command, speaking at a conference of Territorial Army Commanders. Russia’s leaders are determined to bring Europe and Asia and ultimately the whole world into the Communist system. We will be forced to call a halt sooner or later or go to war. When the times comes the Russian leaders’ decision will depend on whether they are confident of winning or not. “If we are prepared to deal with any attacks Russia could launch against us we will have a good chance of avoiding war. If we remain militarily weak, war will be inevitable.”