Says We Are Not Facing Facts Of War

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1940, Page 8

Says We Are Not Facing Facts Of War

[Special to “Northern Advocate ”] AUCKLAND, This Day.

New Zealand, and all other British countries, are .not facing the facts in this war. British people, generally, are looking at it through rose-coloured spectacles. They are believing what they wish to believe.

Such is the earnest conviction of MiMark Green, one of the most experienced and widely-travelled of journalistic observers, expressed in an interview today. “I have always believed, and continue to believe, in facing the facts, however alarming, depressing or alarming, in war or peace,” said MiGreen.

“What, in the end, moots any other cause, since they fnust inevitably come to light, and then perhaps with twice as stunning effect?

“Enough cf Official Pap.”

“So far as I know, there is no record in history of the British people being faced with as critical situation and aware of it. failing to meet the issue with the courage and determination that is characteristic of them. “What reason is' there to believe they will fail now? “If there is none, it is time to give over feeding the people of the Empire their regular meals of official pap, and tc acquaint them with the true position that they may gird their loins and prepare to meet it without the loss of a minute’s time.

“Something of that position has just been stated by the great American Liberal. Oswald Garrison Villard. “Mr Villard, though well into his sixties, is still going strong, and wishes to make known a few facts.

Inside Germany,

‘‘He has been in Germany since the war started, and has lately published in the “New York Nation.” articles sent from Holland, and not touched by those busybodies known as censors. “He does not share the optimism with which the British Fress pretends to regard the ’ position.

“He does not believe, for example, that Hitler has .an incurable disease and will surely die within a year, that Bolshevism is about to be ‘liquidated,’ that Germany is nearly at the end of her resources and about to be rent by internal revolt. Nazi Offensive on May 1.

“All this, and much of the rest, is pap of the first water, and an insult to the intelligence of the people it is fed

Mr Villard says that it is well known that a great German offensive is scheduled for May 1, and that its true character will be such as to justify the recent warning of the British Ambassador in Washington, that immediate danger is possible. “Mr Villard states that the German claim of 400 submarines now under construction and to be ready by spring is not exaggerated by more than 20 per cent at the outside. “And while, having observed much of the German Army, he does not feel that in efficiency or leadership <t equals the mighty force led by Hindenburg in 1914. yet it is formidable in the extreme.” “He believes that the offensive to be launched in May will consist of a stupendous attack both by air and on the sea. Fighting Russia Also? “Hundreds of submarines and thousands of planes will bd' let loose, and it is not at all improbable that the latter wiil drop gas bombs. “Moreover, by that .time, or before, there is strong reason to believe that Russia, whether in concert with Germany or not—and it really makes little difference, will be definitely fighting the Allies, and that both Germany and Russia will advance into the Balkans. “It is very likely they will march with a plan of partition similar to that in Foland —a plan already almost certainly perfected in detail. Says America Must Come In. “Thus we face the prospect of democracy at bay on every side: “To maintain it will require all its resources, every atom cf its strength, and that, obviously, includes America. “I see little reason to believe America will not be involved, in the war before the end of another year. “I see, indeed, no way out of it, if democracy is to survive. “These are a few of what I believe to be the facts, and the sooner we bring ourselves to a frank facing of them, the better chance we will have to come out of this struggle successfully."