PREPARED FOR LONG WAR

Evening Star, Issue 23374, 18 September 1939, Page 9

PREPARED FOR LONG WAR

BRITAIN ORGANISES HER RESOURCES BLOCKADE A POWERFUL WEAPON THWARTING U-BOATS BY CONVOY SYSTEM (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. September 17. (Received September 18, at 11 a.m.)' Preparations for a long war are being made methodically by Britain, and all departments of State are organising their efforts on the basis of a conflict lasting three years or more. Particular attention is given in the Press to the part that will be played by the invisible pressure of the British blockade. It is recognised in all informed quarters that the 1914-1918 war would have ended much .sooner if the interception of goods destined for Germany had been made effective at an earlier date, “This time,” says the ‘Sunday Times,’ “ Britain is starting where in the last war she left off. The new Ministry of Economic Warfare has all tbs former experience to work upon. It is helped by the fact that America shared in that experience and cannot but acquiesce in our doing now what she herself did then. Germany likewise is starting the naval war where she left off last time. Her sinking of the Athenia was an act identical with those by which she outlawed herself in 1917 and made America a belligerent. Once more she has adopted ruthless submarine warfare. In the opening days, before, the convoy system could be adopted, our shipping suffered inevitable losses, but from now onwards that system is working. More than anything else, it baffled submarines in 1918, and it may be expected to baffle them again. On the other side, our Navy’s resources for discovering and destroying underwater enemy have been much increased by progress and invention in the interval. The longer the war lasts the more important on both sides will the problem of supplies become.” •

Referring to the war in the air, the newspaper says: “ The reply to that menace is air power and more air power. We have plans already in working to expand still further both our production of aeroplanes and our training of pilots. This scale is truly gigantic, but wo cannot rest content while it is possible for us to do more.” Regarding the war on land, the ‘ Sinn day Times ’ says; “ Britain is committed now, as in 1914-18, to a military effort in France. Now, as then, it is bound to grow larger from its small beginnings.

“ Careful organisation of man power, it adds', “ is essential to withstand tba fourfold strain—navy, air force, army, and munitions, besides civil defence; and for this the requisite Acts of Parliament, based on past,experience, have already been passed. “ The British public has accepted philosophically the prospect of a Jong war, and has already adapted itself to war-time conditions which have profoundly altered its social life. The inconveniences of the first week of war have already become a commonplace, and less hardship is now felt at the rigidity of the restrictions, which in some respects are in process of cautious relaxation, and others are progressively increasing, “An example of the latter will be experienced when next week the petrol rationing scheme becomes effective. It is offset to a large extent by the restoration by the railways of many trains which were withdrawn during the days of strain while the four main railway companies tackled the heavy tasks of the evacuation period—the transport of food and the movement of men and material on behalf of the military authorities. “ One of the principal railways is able to announce restoration, with few exceptions, of its normal services, and corresponding developments are occurring on other lines. “ In the reception areas, social workers are busily at work on the new tasks of looking after the interests of tha evacuees, and in several parts of the country the schools ‘in such areas ara being reopened for the children on a two-shift basis. LOYAL MESSAGES THE KING'S THANKS LONDON, September 17. (Received September 18, at 11 a.m.)' The King sent a message to tlis House of Assembly in the . Bahamas, in whom at all time His Majesty has full confidence. The King also signified his appreciation to the Legislative Council of the Seychelles of their loyal message. INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS CENTRAL OFFICE AT GENEVA (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 17. (Received September 18, at noon.) It is reported from Berne that in compliance with the 1929 convention concerning the treatment of prisoners of war, the International Red Cross Committee at Geneva has established a central office for such prisoners which will be conducted on the same lines as that established in the war of 1914-18, The new office will be developed in accordance with the needs and requirements of the different Governments and Red Cross organisations of belligerent nations.