TOTAL WAR ON GERMANY

Southland Times, Issue 24439, 20 May 1941, Page 3

TOTAL WAR ON GERMANY

Mr Menzies’s Appeal

LONDON, May 1.

Four hundred citizens of Swansea were roused to the highest Ditch of enthusiasm at a civic luncheon when the Australian Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, reached the climax of his speech with a demand for total war by all the ' world’s English-speaking peoples. I noted a characteristic pause and emphasis on the word “world-wide,” I and I believe he seized this occasion, | immediately before his visit to America, to declare the keynote of the speeches he will make, and the talks with high authority he will have in the United States, says the correspondent of The Sydney Morning Herald. Mr Menzies’s listeners left no doubt in his mind how and where they stood. They were ready for total war. Private comments I heard afterwards indicated that they would not care whether it was Hitler’s brand or “Britain’s other interpretation.” This is characteristic of Britons’ fighting mood today, waiting for leadership to declare it. The inspection of Swansea's devastated centre later in the afternoon was a mute endorsement of Mr Menzies’s declaration. What was once an extensive shopping and commercial centre is now a mass of ruins as a result of the bombings of the last three months. Although the visit was hurriedly arranged and few ordinary citizens knew of it, the news of Mr Menzies’s presence quickly spread throughout the city. Wherever his car travelled the people excitedly waved and cheered him. One of the most pleasurable incidents for Mr Menzies was his meeting with Miss Gwen Reynolds, a school teacher from Sydney, who occupies an important post at one of Swansea’s largest schools. He recognized the rising sun badge she wore and asked was she an Australian. He talked animatedly with her for several minutes.