BRITAIN EXPECTS LONG WAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21509, 23 November 1939, Page 7

BRITAIN EXPECTS LONG WAR

Major Operations Approaching Air Scheme Depressed Enemy Statement By UnderSecretary United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received November 22, 12.10 a.m.) OTTAWA, November 22. Captain Harold Balfour, British Under-Secretary for Air, said that excellent as British aircraft are, even better will be coming out in the near future. The war thus far has been a diplomatic contest which has gone in favour of the Allies. The second phase is approaching. It will involve active, large scale military operations. The mere announcement of the Empire air scheme had a depressing effect on the Nazi leaders. The practical effect when thousands of young airmen start moving to the theatre of war may well be the War’s decisive factor. Wishful thinking of the possibility of Germany cracking internally is dangerous and likely to induce a slight diminishing effect. The Government has no illusions. It is preparing for a long and arduous war, probably lasting three years. A simultaneous announcement of the details of the Empire air scheme is expected to be made in London, Canberra, Wellington and Ottawa shortly. Some members of the missions may remain to form the nucleus of the administrative organisation. New Canadian Machine Tire first of eighteen Bristol Bolingbroke bombers has been delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force. It is the Canadian version of the Bristol Blenheim. Built at Quebec, it carries half a ton of bombs and has a range of 1000 miles at a steady 200 miles an hour. The Royal Canadian Air Force has also received a number of West-land-Lysander army co-operation ’plattes manufactured at Toronto. They are gullwinged monoplanes capable of 229 miles an hour. It is reported from Walhalla, North Dakota, that negotiations are under way for the establishment of ah ah-port half on the American side of the border and half on the Canadian. AmertcLn built ’planes would fly there, be pushed across the border and take off again.