Britain’s War Shock

Southland Times, Issue 23674, 24 November 1938, Page 14

Britain’s War Shock

Nelle Scanlan’s Memories

MOT until war seemed a matter of days, even hours, did England realise her danger (said Nelle M. Scanlan, the distinguished New Zealand authoress, when interviewed in Sydney recently). Panic is somethin j you do not associate with the English, but a touch of panic a year ago might have changed the history of Europe. In more temperamental countries a mere rumour will start a riot, but neither rumour nor cold fact will stir the English until danger is actually Upon them. Then their response is magnificent; it was this time, but the ’effort .come too late to be effective.

For a year or more the British Government has been urging the people to prepare against invasion; to safeguard themselves and their' homes from attack by air. • The newspapers, the radio, and every ’'other medium has been used to warn them, and urge the necessity for personal preparation. But always there was added the assurance that it was just a precautionary measure, and there was no need for pr""'c. Some people responded; millions did not. Call after call went out for volunteers to serve man emergency. They wanted thousands of men and women for Red Cross, ambulances, contamination squads, air-raid wardens, and supplementary fire brigades. The response was patchy. : Every? town hall and village club was plastered with posters calling the people to attend air-raid lectures, and trained speakers went about urging, advising, arid demonstrating. Preferred Comic Songs. The whole scheme had been worked out, but it needed the loyal and serious co-operation of the people to put it into full effect. Incendiary bombs were most feared. In London, a conflagration started simultaneously at several points might have laid vast areas in ruins. Over and over again the people were urged to clear the rubbish out of the attic, where the bombs would penetrate; to spread sand on the floor, and provide a bucket and a scoop for removing the bomb before it could set the house on fire. But they wrote comic songs about “The sand and the bucket and the scoop,” and sang them over the radio. Before the end of last year I had attended my course of air-raid lectures and fitted on my gas-mask, for it was obvious to me that the Government

tile almond paste. Cut one-third off. Roll out larger piece into round, split cake through centre. Sandwich together again with almond paste in the centre. Completely cover cake with butter cream (or warm icing if liked) decorate round side with crystallised fruits or flowers. Place a small vase of spring flowers In the centre. Make six flat cakes of almond paste, sprinkle with coloured chips and place round the vase. • Serve on flat glass plate. Asparagus And Eggs. Cut off the softest parts of some cold cooked asparagus. Place them with the tips in a well-buttered, shallow, fireproof

would not be spending such vast sums on preparations rmless they felt that the need was urgent. People Are To Blame. The crisis has shown that England was not ready. The Government has admitted gaps in its defences, and the people now blame them. But they can blame themselves for their own share in that unpreparedness. Millions of them had not taken heed of the . warning because it was not uttered in words to strike terror into their souls. Youth is heroic and will follow, a hero, but the banner of “Safety First” does not capture their imagination. They want a leader who will inspire them. It take a lot to stir an English crowd, but when they yield to the impulse their response is amazing. They will never cheer in order; but they cheered the Prime Minister when he returned from Munich —cheered in a delirium of relief. I believe that. to surrender any part of the Empire would provoke the fiercest opposition. I have just come from Africa, and I know how they feel there. On great occasions we sing with fervour that Empire hymn,' “God, who made thee mighty, make theca mightier yet.”: It that just an empty phrase? If we are to maintain our freedom we must riot only pray for it, work for it, but, if need be, fight for it. We must face that fact now, or it will be too late.: Appeasement But— There is a saying that Britain loses every battle—but the last. You see something of that attitude of mind in the revelations of our unpreparedness. We seemed willing thta this phrase might again be proved true. Our weakness was that vital ability to ward off a first attack. But the last battle may not be worth winning, if the prize lies shattered in ruins. The work of appeasement goes on, but London is retaining her hastily-dug trenches in the parks, and the people have stored their gas-masks in their own cupboards. At last they are awake and aware.