Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1940 NO PATCHWORK PEACE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 9 December 1940, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1940 NO PATCHWORK PEACE

THE other day one of a very small section in the House of Commons asked whether Britain would endeavour to arrange a Christmas truce. Mr Churchill replied, “No.” German peace feelers were being put forward then, but Britain made it clear that no peace was possible. Berlin heard this uncompromising decision, for it announced that, in view of Britain’s attitude, nothing further could be done. Now suggestions of peace are in the air again, the first move to be, it is reported, mediation by Germany in the GreekItalian war. Such suggestions are accompanied by threatening propaganda, stories of Britain’s impending disintegration and more savage air attacks over the cities of Britain. But Britain remains unmoved. This time Mr Attlee has spoken for the nation, stating clearly and positively that it is impossible to discuss peace terms while Germany and most of Europe

I remain in the grip of Hitler’s “abomI inable dictatorship.” j That Germany should canvass the ! chances of a compromise peace is not surprising, for the Nazi leaders can probably sum up the situation as logically as was done in a message printed on Saturday. It showed conclusively the trend of events against the Axis. The Polish Minister of Information, Professor Stromeski, hit the mark when commenting on Hitler’s changed fortunes during a 8.8-C. broadcast: “The position has changed,” he said. “Before, Hitler was able to act according to his desires; now his desires are limited by what he is able to achieve.” The Polish professor also spoke of “a second period of the conflict, when Germany has begun to feel the war at home more than ever before.” He referred to the continual heavy bombing by the Royal Air Force, saying that the Germans were beginning to realise what it means. That the Polish professor should refer to “a second period” is significant, but it fairly represents the position. Stage one was that of Hitler’s astounding* •successes, which reached their peak in the fall of France- Could the crest of this wave have carried him across the Channel, stage two might have been very different. But before he could get there he had to fight and win the Battle for Britain. In this he received his first defeat and from that time dates the “second period.” Thus Hitler’s desire to open peace negotiations can be appreciated. There is evidence that he would be ready to sacrifice Italy’s ambitions if he could achieve his own in part, and call off the struggle. It is even reported that he would make peace with France at the price of only Alsace-Lorraine. All along he has made the fatal mistake of misreading the British mind. Does he now genuinely hold any hope of being able to halt the war and save himself and Nazism? If he does he is deceiving himself. It has been affirmed over and over again that Britain and her allies are determined to fight to the end; Hitler and Mussolini, with precedents of past wars to guide them, will know what this means for vanquished tyrants.