A Word In Season

Northern Advocate, 26 February 1940, Page 4

A Word In Season

CURIOSITY as to the future direction of the war will be heightened by a statement which General Wavell made to New Zealand troops when he addressed them at the conclusion of an inspection in Egypt. General Waved is in command of the British forces in the Near East. “I can’t ted you your ultimate destination,” said the General, “but do not be disappointed if you have to wait some time before you go into action. Your arrival has discouraged our enemy, and made war less probable.” This statement is important from a number of points of view. It is susceptible of different interpretations. One thing, however, is clear. The greater the concentration of strength on the part of the Allies the shorter will be the war, if, maybe, hostilities are not averted by the adoption of less lethal methods. This implies that everything possible must be done to increase contribution of manpower and foodstuffs *by all parts of the Empire. The disregard by the Nazis of the moral obligations-imposed upon civilised people would probably not have concerned the world if the democratic countries had been as wed prepared for war a few -years ago as they are. today. The need, therefore, of further increasing the Allies’ striking powlr is clear to all. In the language of General Waved, it makes a long war less probable, and therefore may be regarded in the light of insurance.