BRITAIN’S APPROACH TO VE-DAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 109, 10 May 1945, Page 7

BRITAIN’S APPROACH TO VE-DAY

CALM, LEVEL-HEADED SHADOW OF THE FUTURE RELATIONSHIPS WITH RUSSIA London, May 7. After one of the most momentous weeks in history, a week in which Field Marshal Sir Harold Alexander accepted the surrender of a million men in Italy and Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery another million in north-west Europe, with the death of both Hitler and Mussolini, and the disappearance of leading Nazis, and now with the end of the war against Germany. Largely a matter of formality, the mood of the British people is one of surprisingly calm, level-headedness. There is pride in the feats of her armed forces, there is a memory of the year when Britain stood alone with the Empire, and when it seemed almost impossible the Nazis would be defeated, and the British are determined now that neither legend shall surround Hitler, nor shall the German army be allowed to make apologies for its defeat and claim, in the years'that come it again was stabbed inthe back. There has been a natural tension in waiting.for the announcement of VeDay after hopes rose at the HimmlerBernadotte talks, and this will find expression when Ve holidays are celebrated.

But behind all this pride, thankfulness and gaiety lies the shadow of the future.

Firstly, a majority of men and women in the forces realise that the war in the Far East has yet to be won, and many expect to be sent to that theatre. They and others are wondering what is going to be their lot and how they fare when they return to civilian life. Next, everyone realises Britain’s altered financial position, and knows that unless she recreates a thriving export trade there are grim days ahead. There is growing restlessness among businessmen, which may be expected to increase at the Government’s alleged lack of initiative in this respect. Domestically, there are many aching problems, such as the housing shortage, and plight of coal mining, to mention the most outstanding. FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOR 10 YEARS. And, of course, the country is preparing for the first general election in ten years. Already, in view of the events of last week, speculators are guessing it will be held either in June or July, while others are declaring it should not be held until the autumn. Interest in the election is steadily increasing, and at present there is wide feeling that the Conservative majority won in 1935 may be greatly reduced. Also there is a growing belief that Labour has an excellent opportunity of winning, and that when men like Mr. Shinwell declare that Labour will win he is not merely electioneering. The reason for this is based on Left views, which seem to prevail among a wide section of the armed forces and also on pronounced Left views of factory and industrial workers throughout the war, who are by no means a small part of the community. Particular interest was taken recently in the Chelmsford by-election. It was the first electorate in England to vote on an up-to-date register. It was a Conservative seat and a perfectly ordinary constituency. In a heavy poll of 69 per cent, a Conservative majority of 16,624 was turned into Commonwealth Majority of 6431. “Unquestionably, says The Economist, Chelmsford, “quite deliberately and denfiitely, voted against the Tories.”

The journal notes two trends in public opinion to-day. Firstly, anti-Tory; secondly, pro-Churchill, and says it will be very difficult to guess which will be the stronger at the General Election.

In the international field, with its background of war-ravaged Europe and a threat of a world food shortage, a close watch is being kept on events at San Francisco, where the conference now is said to be making perceptible headway. But such incidents as the refusal of the British and American Government to continue talks on the Polish issue with the Russians, after a statement that 16 Polish political leaders had been arrested cause misgiving about the future relations with Russia, and do nothing to check the reserve which is growing in certain quarters in regard to the Soviet.

The Observer’s special correspondent says it is difficult to understate the gravity of these developments (refusal to continue talks on Poland) and the political significance of the BritishAmerican declaration. “These imply,” he says “though it is not said explicitIv, that, in the view of the two Allied Government, the Russian Government has committed a flagrant breach of the Yalta Agreement on Poland. How this will affect the San Francisco Conference is not yet known.” The Observer’s San Francisco correspondent says Mr. Molotov provided an eye-opener on Russian policy which appears based on the thesis that small nations must be seen and not heard. This, then, very briefly sketched, is the background to the spirit of celebration with which the British people approach Ve Day. They realise that one phase of their lives has ended and that a new one is beginning; that it is not going to be a bed of roses, that, just, as the war caused big changes in their lives, so they will witness further big changes in a difficult post-war era.