The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1939. Canadian Troops In England

Northern Advocate, 20 December 1939, Page 4

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST”

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1939. Canadian Troops In England

Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper

THE arrival of Canadian troops in England is reported in our cable news to-day. This achievement has stirred the imagination of the British people, and, we may be sure, has had its due effect upon the German leaders, who once dreamed that Canadians would not again take part in a war overseas. The successful crossing of the Atlantic by troopships carrying a large body of Canadian troops is another exemplification of the thoroughness with which Britain sets about the prosecution of war whei? she is compelled to draw the sword.

Apparently there was nothing to indicate to Canadians that troops were about to sail. This can be well understood. Transports were assembled in Nova Scotian ports, and there was provided a convoy of warships sufficient to ensure the safety of the troopships. No mean accomplishment was this, but it suffices to show that the British Navy, despite the calls made upon it on all the oceans, is sufficiently powerful to answer every call.

The safe arrival of the troops is indeed a tribute to the efficiency of the Navy and the mercantile marine. The distance from Canada to England is comparatively short, but, even in peace-time, a voyage during winter is a hazardous matter, which makes all the more notable the safe conduct of the Canadians.

The coming of the Canadians is illustrative of what is taking place throughout the Empire. The call of the British lion has been heard, and from every quarter the cubs are rallying to the call. Training operations are in progress in many countries, and soon other troopships will be on their way to the Old Land. At the moment Northlanders are on final leave, and, as their Canadian comrades did, they will in due course set out silently, and, we trust, no less successfully.

In Australia, a tremendous war effort is being made. It is apparent that in this matter New Zealand and Australia are to act in co-operation, as they did in the World War, which earned immortality for the Anzacs. The Hon. Peter Fraser, who arrived in Sydney yesterday, accompanied by Major-General ]B, C. Frey berg, who is to command the New Zealand troops, has gone to Melbourne to-day, with the Federal Primie Minister to attend a conference at which co-operative war effort is to be discussed.

All these things speak of the unity of the Empire and the determination of every member of the British Commonwealth of Nations to place the whole of its resources in a common effort to overthrow forces which would put the world in thrall.

, Such developments, coming on the heels of the British triumph and the German ignominious gesture at Montevideo, and Mr. Churchill's stimulating story of naval achievements in the North Sea and elsewhere, may well cheer the Anglo-French Allies and correspondingly depress the enemy.