A BROADCAST

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1939, Page 5

A BROADCAST

BY ANTHONY EDEN BRITISH DEBT TO FRANCE. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright). LONDON, November 20. Mr Anthony Eden (Dominion Secretary) broadcasting, to-night, in the B.B.C’s. French-language programme, said:— “Last week it was my good fortunb to accompany to France, Ministers from each of the Dominions overseas, and a representative of the Government of India: During the brief period of our stay, we were able to visit troops of our own Expeditionary Force, and also to spend some tipie among French armies in the Maginot Line. In order to fulfill our programme, we covered hundreds of miles by motor-car, and were able to see something of the conditions of life in the back areas behind the line, as well as among troops occupying for. ward conditions. For many of us these journeys revived memories of 20 years ago. It is within the framework of these memories that I would wish to set, my impressions to-night. The dominant note wherevei we went was one, of quiet determination. This applied in equal 1 measure to the civilian and soldier, men and women, young and old. There ir to-day, perhaps, less of the spirit of adventure than there was in the early years of the Great War. There is no demonstration, no fanfare, no flagwaving. This is not surprising, for, after all. our peoples now know, from experience, what war means! But there is everywhere a fixity of purpose and determination that this time we shall make an erd of recurrent wars of aggression. No one doubts final victory, but with it a new page in history must be turned. In .a sector held by British troops we found persistent and infectious cheerfulness, which not even depressing weather conditions could subdue. The health of the troops is excellent-. Their number is steadily increasing, and this process will continue. In the meantime, rapid progress is being made In strengthening and deepening the British sector, and in perfecting training and equipment at all points. “Further south, we had what was for many of us our first view of the famous Maginot defences, manned as they are, to-day, by an army which, for calm courage, training and efficiency, is unsurpassed in the world. France has made great sacrifices, financial and material, in order to complete the Maginot Line. To-day, free-dom-loving peoples everywhere acknowledge, with deep gratitude, the debt which they owe to these impregnable defences, and to the Aimy which holds them. It requires little imagination to picture how different the military outlook for the Allies must have befen had France not persisted, with patience and thoroughness, to complete her on n defences, and to perfect the training o‘ her armies. Thus, not for the first time in human history, France has placed all civilisation in her debt. Some vivid pictures are left upon one’s mind. The first is of a young French captain describing the defences of one of the smaller forts, for which he was responsible. The smooth, quiet confidence of his account showed a grasp of every detail of the elaborate machinery at his command. It would have done credit to the most experienced Chief of Staff in any land We found these same characteristics in these young French officers wherever we went: Beyond the shadow of a doubt, they know their job and know it thoroughly. , . One felt, as one watched them at their work, and noted the. soldierly bearing and quiet determination of the rank and file, that it was not foi nothing that those who hold the Magino Line have as their watchword “On Ne Basse Pas!” . A second picture is that of the torward slope of- a Maginot fort. It is early morning and mist still lies thick on the ground. Peering through it, two British soldiers stand on watch. They form part of an advanced post for special service with their French comrades. -They are also a visible expression of the unity of the two Empires who hold the same faith and cherish the same ideals.”