BOMB GERMANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24221, 13 February 1940, Page 9

BOMB GERMANS

MR H. G. WELLS’S OPINION END THE WAR MORE QUICKLY BERLIN RADIO RETORT LONDON, Jan. 31. The view that the Allies must attack to achieve victory is finding wider support in the comments of public men.;- “ I would rather bomb the Germans than starve; them,” said Mr H. G. Wells. “ The only way to bring about Germany’s defeat is by overwhelming blows; by land, sea and air,” said Lieutenant-colonelJLord Dudley Gordon, who is president of the British Engineers’ Association.

These views coincide with those expressed earlier in the week by a former First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr L. S. Amery, but they are still contrary to the military policy of the Allies.

A howl of fury emanated from the German wireless in reply to the advocacy by Mr Wells of an intense Allied aerial bombardment of Berlin. The German announcer said:— “ In the event of any attempt to bomb German towns our Air Force will answer with measures such as the- British apostles of hatred have not yet conceived. For every bomb dropped on Berlin 10 would be dropped on London. British airmen, after their experiences in reconnaissance flights over the German coast, know better than an agitator like Mr Wells what attempts to bomb German towns would mean.” “ Obviously the German announcement is evidence of weakness, and is a scream of terror,” said Mr Wells. “The Germans have not hesitated ruthlessly and ; brutally to bomb Warsaw, and they would have done the same against London in September if they had dared. We Londoners can take all the Germans can give, and can inflict adequate punishment.. ■ “This is war. I would rather -bomb the Germans than starve them. It would end hostilities more quickly and would probably, leave the Germans in a healthier state of mind.’

Lord Gordon’s comments were: — “Economic warfare cannot be final, except. perhaps, after a long period of years. Nevertheless, our trade effort can have immeasurable results*