The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo and The Sun. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1940. CHURCHILL'S WARNING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 217, 12 September 1940, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo and The Sun.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1940. CHURCHILL'S WARNING.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

Mr. Churchill long ago warned the people of Britain that their vigil might be a long one. Yesterday he told them that they may not have much longer to wait. To those who have been pooh-poohing the. idea of the Nazis' attempting to invade England the Prime Minister's grave and gallant words must have come as a sharp and salutary surprise. The Germai. preparations for an invasion, he sai.l, are steadily going forward, and he gave details. His conclusion was that, though it was possible the attempt might not be made at all, the bombing of London should be regarded as its preparatory phase, and a full-scale onslaught might be launched "at any time now." This warning, characteristically forthright, will have the effect of banishing all speculation as to the reality of the danger overhanging the Homeland. Even as late as five weeks ago the opinion was being confidently expressed that the phenomenal increase in the strength of the defences had deterred the Germans, and that the situation had so changed that "we can count on security." This tendency, surviving even the shattering experience of last spi-ing, to underestimate the enemy, would have been a souree of weakness if it had, been allowed to grow. Mr. Churchill's words will check it and reverse it. He most evidently holds the view that though Hitler's promises are pie-crust, Hitler's threats should never be disregarded.

To many of the defenders of England the thought that the Germans at last may attempt their "knock-out blow" will inspire feelings of relief and satisfaction. They hate the idea of the soil of England being torn by the weapons of modern war —-but they hate the Germans more. The men of the 8.E.F., denied through no fault of their own an opportunity to fight it out in France, have en account to settle with the uniformed murderers of civilian refugees. The whole of the defending armies, including those from the Dominion,?, 'will hare i n their minds the impulse to avenge the innocent victims of the German night-bombers in London, And throughout the United Kingdom there will be the feeling -that if the Germans do attempt an invasion they will afford an opportunity, by inviting defeat, to shorten the war. Hitler has committed himself before his own people to attempt the destruction of the "final enemy;" he has also promised them that the war will soon be over. It may be that the raids of the Royal Air Force will force him to attempt to make his word good. If so, the outcome will be awaited with confidence, inspired not only by tho spirit of the British people.and their incomparable leader, but by the knowledge of how much better prepared they are, materially, than they were three months ago.