MR CHURCHILL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24825, 27 January 1942, Page 4

MR CHURCHILL

CRITICISM OF POLICY AN AMERICAN ANALYSIS “NO OTHER LEADER" NEW YORK. Jan. 19. The New York World Telegram, the principal newspaper of the powerful Scripps-Howard chain, in its first leading article headed “ Churchill's Fate,” presents what may be considered a fair summary of American opinion on the Pacific situation,

Quoting an Australian newspaper prophecy that if Singapore falls Mr Churchill will fall with it, and the political repercussions will be cataclysmic, the World Telegram says this is typical of what nrany are saying in the dominions and in England. “ One London newspaper blames ‘ a pack of whisky-swilling planters and military birds of passage ’ for the great tragedy of Malaya, and another demands quick expulsion of ‘ Cabinet duds and Singapore blimps,’ ” it says. “ Still another warns that the Commons will accept no ‘ cheerio promises ’ from Mr Churchill, and, parodying his famous phrase, laments that ‘so much could have been saved by so little.’ Understandable Reaction

“This reaction against British incompetence and complacency in the Far East is understandable, and can be constructively useful in forcing reforms if held within reasonable bounds, but it can easily make matters worse if it reaches hysterical heights, making Mr Churchill a scapegoat for the dry rot which has afflicted the British services in the East so deeply and so long. ... • “Granted that the familiar charge that Mr Churchill’s personal friendships sway his judgment and appointments is correct, and that he has made mistakes in strategy, the same can be said of any war leader in any country. The question is not whether Mr Churchill is perfect, or even whether he is good enough, but rather whether there is any better man available for the many-sided task. Since no other has emerged,, we hope it is_not true that Mr Churchill falls if Singapore does Claims of Three Theatres “But it is useless to try to laugh off the increasing unpopularity of the Churchill policy of considering the Far East less important than the European and Middle Eastern fronts because that policy has already diminished the public confidence on which Mr Churchill’s leadership and effectiveness depend. Unless he does something about this, the dire prophecies may catch up with him next time, if not this. , .. “This division over the comparative importance of the Far East weakahs Britain at the very point where strength is most essential—the united front. It is the biggest issue, of the war in Australia, and explains the Commonwealth Governments statement that Australia is now looking to Washington rather than to London. In 1 Canada there is much bitterness over the tragic fate of the unrelieved Canadian troops in Hongkong. Increased Concern “A recent speech of the United States Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox, which is interpreted as aligning the United States with Mr Churchills preference for the European front at the expense of the Far East, has increased concern in the dominions and this country. ~ , ... “ It is our guess that Mr Churchill and President Roosevelt, regardless of past policy, are now giving much more preference to Far East needs than the public knows. If that be true Mr Churchill should weather the political storm. , , “ Probably a more serious danger is the effect of this passing policy—if it is as passing as we hope—on China, since the Chinese, because of several unfortunate past experiences, are now particularly resentful and suspicious. Hitler and the’Japanese are trying to feed that doubt. China is absolutely essential for victory.”