Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1940, Page 4

The good faith of Britain towards France, was well exemplified in the agreement reached for the internment of the units of the French Fleet at Alexandria. In the circumstances the conditions were quite reasonable, not to say gdnerous, and .if the other French admirals could have been equally sensible, the finest ships of the Fleet would still have been afloat. The course of events in the Mediterranean certainly show the wisdom of the British cabinet in placing the French ships hors de combat, and that could have been done as sensibly and as securely as at Alexandria, if the commanders bad been amenable to reason. The tragedies at Oran and Dakar could have been avoided, and probably many lives saved. The' generous terms granted at Alexandria showed the British did not desire to acquire the ships otherwise destined to go over to the care of the enemy. Had that transpired, and a junction made with the Italian Fleet, the task in the Mediterranean would have been more difficult. It is essential for. Britain to control the Mediterranean at this period, thereby imposing a virtual blockade on Italy, preventing the arrival of essential raw material and supplies, and at the same time, preventing Italian intercourse as far as possible with the colonial empire da the Afrit an coast. The stakes are thus very high for the off opt to win the war in that quarter of the globe, and the accounts given of the unwillingness of the Italian Navy to- meet the British, suggest that the enemy is well aware of its inferiority. But reinforced as it could he by the French ships, Italy would have a balance in her favour and that must be avoided. In the air, it is reported Britain is using virtually obsolete aeroplanes to combat the Italians; indicating that the better machines are in Britain. It might be the same with the Navy, the best ships are not cruising in enemy waters. Apparently it is felt tha t the command can be maintained with second rate instruments in the task oi wearing down the enemy, by maintaining the mastery in the Mediterranean sea.