The Editor Saturday Night

Northern Advocate, 16 December 1939, Page 8

The Editor Saturday Night

As a week of momentous happenings closes, the people of the Empire in general, and of New Zealand in particular, are experiencing a joyful thrill. British cruisers, including the Achilles, which has been on the New Zealand station for some years, and

whose company includes more than 300 New Zealanders, have achieved a glorious victory off the coast of South America by attacking the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spec and damaging her so badly that she was forced to take shelter in the port of Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. A running battle lasted eighteen hours, and the British ships, though 1 only armed with six-inch guns, as | against eleven-inch guns of the battleship, put up a fight which has made all the world wonder. Their performance was in line with the finest traditions of the British Navy, and officers and ratings have been the recipients of widespread congratulations and praise.

The part taken in the battle by H.M.S. Achilles has aroused great enthusiasm in New Ziealand, for this is the first, time in history that so large a number of New Zealand sailors have been engaged in a sea fight. Their great achievement places them in the same niche of glory as their fellowcountrymen who won imperishable fame on the battlefields of Europe, | Asia, Africa, and the islands of the !sea during the Great War, ► The fate of the Admiral Graf Spec fis still in doubt. She may be interned in Uruguay, or she may be obliged to leave port, in which case she will undoubtedly fall victim to the British ships, including the Ajax and Achilles, which are waiting for her. Geneva occupied an outstanding place in the public mind during the week. Finland’s appeal to the League to protest against Russia’s invasion resulted in an invitation being extended to both Russia and Finland to submit their dispute to arbitration by the League. Finland accepted, but Russia declined, as was feared would be the case, and the League has ex- « palled the Soviet from membership. The world is anxiously awaiting the result of this expulsion. Meanwhile Russia’s pressure on Fin-

land has been maintained, and, though definite information is not available, indications point to the gradual forcing back of the Finnish forces, which are fighting with great gallantry and skill. Britain and France have promised to help Finland, whose violation has aroused world indignation. The position in the Balkans has remained a source of speculation and unrest, and there is a general belief that important developments will take place in. the not distant future. The week closes with reports of large-scale aerial fighting over the

North Sea, where British planes defeated Germans, though not without loss. The combats were of a very thrilling nature. Australia has electrified the Empix*e by the adoption of a huge army, navy and air force building policy.