ANSWER TO NAZIS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 45, 16 November 1940, Page 11

ANSWER TO NAZIS

Democracy Is Not Decadent HEARTENING EFFECT (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, November 14. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. A. V. Alexander, broadcasting, said: “The action at Taranto is, the clearest answer to the Nazis’ repeated assertions that democracy is decadent. ‘•For reasons best known to themselves, the Italians did not attempt to exploit their superiority and carefully avoided engagement, which Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham has constantly .sought, but even the harbour defences behind which the Italians remained immobile, failed to protect them. "Germany’s surface ships have not always avoided action against ours, but the result has been such that she was forced to place some reliance on the Italian fleet. What is the condition of that fleet today? It would be interesting to know the German Admiralty’s comments on the Taranto operation, which was carried out in moonlight against strong defences, including a balloon barrage. "Taranto will hearten not only Britain’s declared friends, but free peoples everywhere, and it will hearten our gallant Greek ally in proportion. It depresses the boastful opportunist Mussolini, who, having waited to enter the war until he thought he was sure of the spoils of victory without lighting. must now see the writing on the wall.”

'Phe Rome news agency described the British version of the 'Taranto raid as “a shameless fraud,” and repeats the statement in an Tallinn communique that only one unit was seriously damaged.