A Striking Contrast

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 40, 13 September 1940, Page 2

A Striking Contrast

The recent speeches of the respective leaders of the nations at war are a significant barometer of the pendulum of events. On the one hand a bluff is being called to the tune of recrimination and excuse and on the other purposeful organisation and solidarity are asserting themselves so effectively that the ultimate issue is undoubted. . *

Compare Hitler’s remarks of now regarding the threatened invasion, preparedness for a long struggle, the blockade of Europe, and the Royal Air Force bombing over Germany, etc., and remember the idle boasting of the Fuhrer “that he would broadcast from London on the 15th August last, that a bleitzkreig meant a short war, that he had rendered the British Navy impotent, that England or what was left of it, was starving, and that his defences were too strong for the Royal Air Force to penetrate Berlin.” Although the speech was calculated as a palliative for the obvious anxiety of the German and Italian natives as a result of their failure to achieve even the slightest attainment of their promises it revealed Hitler in a transparency obvious to the whole world. Unconvincing as it is to the people of Germany and disheartening as it obviously is to the Italians, it is even more obvious to the neutral countries' whose fate is in the balance. cP The cool determination of England’s, effort, on the other hand, is regarded by deeds, well done, and. their significance cannot be belittled by lying propaganda and. idle boastfulness. Britain’s “will to win” is unanimous, and is. echoed by the children, who, after being torpedoed by Hitler’s brutality, remarked: “Hitler needn’t think he can get away with that,” and- the old woman of seventy-eight, who remarked, after being rescued from the ruins of destruction of her home: “I’m all —’tend to others.” • ■ > ‘ ' It is this spirit and intuition which is imbued in the British race that defies Hitler and Mussolini, to-day, and will triumph over brutality and barbarism. Mr. Churchill’s speech revealed constructive thought and encouragement. The achievements of our fighting forces on land, sea and in the air demonstrate the co-ordination and ability of the nation in a united effort to conquer or die. The consistent success of thejloyal Air, Force in repelling the invader and inflicting terrific losses, acknowledged even by Hitler, the constant bombing of Berlin and military objectives in Italy and elsewhere, as compared to the i indiscriminate effbrts of the enemy, are realities embarrassing the dictators. The clean sweep of the Mediterranean and' the helter-skelter of the Italian Navy is interesting and amusing, for, was it not Hitler who said that the Italians were a nation of mandolin players, fed on peanuts and ice cream, who were the fastest soldiers in the world when ordered to retreat?

The British Army, too, is < stronger than ever before and England s defences are more formidable than ever. The preparations for an offensive campaign are also mentioned by Mr. Churchill and the possibilities of an engagement in the East are contemplated. Free Frenchmen throughout the world are rallying to the call of General de Gaulle in progressively increasing numbers. The transfer of fifty destroyers from the American fleet and the Canadian-American defence plan are convincing in themselves and provide a striking contrast of true democracy prevailing over the falsity of totalitarian dictatorship.