The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1940. FAMILIAR PLACES.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1940, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1940. FAMILIAR PLACES.

Ix the war news many familiar names ol a quarter 01 a century r-ro appearing in tm; newspapers, j.t seems ra'tner singular that Herr Ditier should have followed finally The tac* j tics' of the Kaiser in tue endeavour to,, strike at tile heart of England. 4 hole is a familiar ring about the whole policy of the present advance, considered in so many quarters as : ! tlie determining event of the war. Germany’s operations in the east in "■Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Poland, were all remote from Allied help, and in any case neither Franco nor Britain were ready .for a great war. But it was at that stage that Hitler had the good fortune to make friends with Russia, lie gave, Russia a free hand about the Baltic for favourable action or inaction, in the present conflict. It lis true Russia Spoiled Germany’s prospects along the Baltic, finishing up with the control of Finland,' hut Hitler, at least, had no serious enemy 111 the east. The Norwegian campaign was a diversion to try and draw the Allies into a new theatre dividing their forces from the west. Tm's did ’not, result, but there., .was the opportunity to rehearse in Norway, the technique proposed for Holland and Belgium. The practice with the “fifth column” was certainly successful, and parachuting troops moderately so. Not so successful were the naval dashes and the loss of troop and supply ships. However, not deterred, came the big European clash, and with the rapid advance, the familiar names around Luxembourg and East Belgium sprang into print. Where the enemy has forced a way into France, also, names of 2d years ago are cropping up, and old war maps are again serviceable. The technique of delayed warfare .s still being used by the Allies as the better form of defence. The enemy is and it is well to allow him to waste his strength as a battering ram, and use up supplies which cannot he made good readily. In bis latest conquests in Norway, Denmark and Holland, much useful booty will have been secured, biK without the command of the sea, Germany must go short of much that is vitally essential to maintain the high momentum of the war. The air battles in this war are more numerous and significant than in the last war. Science has aided the engines of destruction, and given a better machine, though apparently the pilot still counts. Brave though the Germans are, they are not the masters of the air, the Allies are in the stern realities of a combat. That great essential has.given a useful superiority, assisting to wear down the advantage the enemy has in numbers. Whether this great battle is to decide the full result remains to he seen. Then* are other aspects to he considered. '’ltaly is more than ever a sleeping-partner of Germany’s; and it is coming to be realised that America’s relations to the Allies are no less intimate. What will the United estates do if Italy makes a fatal decision? America is doing much already in a “non-belli-gerency” way to help the Allies with war material. Doubtless. Italy has done much in the same direction for Germany, hut with the proximity of war, there is a limit. Not so the American supply. The goodwill of the New World is, also, an asset for the Allies. It is hacking that they are doini the right tiling and have the fullest sympathy. Justice will support the ‘right, and in 1 lint assurance the. Allies have an asset always enduring, and helping to the final victory. I