The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1940 WAR ALMS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1940, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1940 WAR ALMS

Thkkk is much talk all round the world about war aims! The war has been in progress long enough and statesmen have been verbose enough on the subject to enlighten the people, but there are still requests lor the ventilation of the subject. The other day Mr Hitler in his speech to the armament workers, made it plain that, his chief war aim at the moment was to take revenge on Britain for defying him, and dispossess the British of their Empire He is not satisfied with overrunning Europe, and bringing great nations to subjugation and obvious serfdom, but he asks for more, and looks to the British Empire to provide it. Great Britain on the other hand took up the cudgels for small nations to save them being overrun. That was the position when Britain entered the war on the invasion of Poland, and there has been no relaxation in the desire to fulfill the task. Earlier it had endeavoured to appease Germany with concessions, and that was tried to the limit. Since then Britain has taken up the cause of the small nations in earnest. The remnants of the people ’<l riven from their countries, have found sanctuary in England, and their forces are being armed and prepared for the common defence and ultimate attack in Britain. All along Britain lias denied any desire for aggrandisement, and held out the most attractive overtures to the neutral countries to avoid their fate before, the invader fell on them. But Germany could not be trusted, while they find Britain can. So it is that Britain’s war aims are to light the battle of the weak and restore, them to their kingdoms. When that comes to pass, Britain will have to play also the big relation of the countries, and help them to restore t.lieir broken fortunes, and establish a new era of friendship and brotherhood with the means at hand to prevent a further war. Motives as high as those of Britain deserve to succeed, lor the future of the human race that fs essential. The tide of battle is turning. With Italy in trouble and the German loader less buoyant and cocksure ol his destiny, there are'tlie real signs of tlm •liauge being brought about. Ihe Balkans appear sale within themselves, and are not likely to cause Britain iur- ; her axielv. The fact that Germany

. not disposed to drive* east as intendd. is a sign that his rear must he atelied. rather than a new front. The igors of winter will make* great I :(lieulties for Germany, and will he a •■sting time of the morale ol the

,conic. The spirit of the.‘aggressor is breaking. In Atriea and Europe, one aggressor finds himsell in grave difficulties. The other must needs endeavour to consolidate what ho holds rather ■lian attempt fresh conquests at tins juncture. It is plain therefore what he British war aims are —to lullill its ; remise In the small nations as speedily as possible.