The Evening Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1940. BOMBING THE PALACE.

Evening Star, Issue 23681, 14 September 1940, Page 10

The Evening Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1940. BOMBING THE PALACE.

Ox-e of the features of the bombing raids over London has been the quiet and unostentatious way in which the King and Queen have visited the affected areas and talked with and consoled the afflicted people, This happened even when the enemy planes were dropping their deadly loads over the city. Such a manifestation of care for the common weal will occasion no surprise. Their Majesties, as it was expected they would, are simply following the tradition of devotion to duty set by King George V. In considering the course of events since the war started, the statement so often heard before that the Germans are bad psychologists has been abundantly proved. It was possible by sheer weight of numbers, the superiority of war equipment, and the employment of terroristic measures to subdue for the time being the inhabitants of smaller nations, but it is another matter when terroristic methods are employed against British people. Notwithstanding the terrible ordeal to which they have been subjected, there is no sign of weakening among Londoners. Rather, throughout the city and the whole of Britain’s countryside the effect has been to arouse a feeling of cold fury that will last till Hitler—that wicked man, as Mr Churchill called him—and his unscrupulous gang have been effectively crushed. This determination will be further strengthened by the news that Buckingham Palace has been bombed for the second time within a few days. On this occasion, at any rate, it was a deliberate action. Their Majesties were in residence, but, as the people of the Empire will rejoice to learn, escaped personal injury. No doubt the Nazis are under the impression that if they could force the King and Queen to leave London there would be a depressing reaction throughout the country. But this would he merely another miscalculation on their part. British people have been given a job to do, and no matter how great the throe they will see it accomplished. Nazi threats of frightfulness, their bombast, and their persistent lying leave the people of Britain unshaken, even when a Berlin spokesman said on Wednesday: “Two thousand five hundred planes, rotating four times daily between London and their French supply bases,- are starting to-night.” Time means everything to the Germans, and all their resources must be staked on a quick decision favourable to themselves. So far they have, been baffled in their invasion plans as a result of the marvellous exploits of the R.A.F. and the effective defence measures evolved and employed in Britain. While the Nazis are held up the forces opposed to them are rapidly growing in strength ; hence the need for haste. Queen Wilhelmina, knowing that the Germans were particularly intent pn her capture, very wisely sought a temporary asylum in England, and from there she has issued inspiring messages to her subjects, in the course of which she said: “ A people which has vitality and a strong will cannot bo subjugated by force of arms.” As is the case with the Netherlands Queen, King Haakon of Norway, who was also specially harassed by the invaders of his kingdom, General de Gaulle, and a number of former Belgian Ministers now living in England will provide rallying points for the peoples of their countries who are true of heart to use whatever means they possess and _opportunities that come to them of defeating the Nazi tyranny. This senseless and ruthless bombing of Buckingham Palace can only have the effect of strengthening the bonds that unite the Throne and people at a 1 moment when the British race is passing through the severest test i.n its long history. One writer has said that Queen Victoria was respecteS, ...mg Edward VII. was admired, and King George V. adulated. .All those sentiments are gathered round the persons of King George VI. and Queen Elizabeth, who are securely enthroned in the hearts of the peoples of our Empire. In his ‘ Confessions ’ St. Augustine wrote memorable words tViat aptly sum up the feeling of Britons to-day: “What do we condemn in war? Is it the fact that men are killed who all one clay must die? Only cowards would bring this accusation against war. What wo condemn is the desire to harm, the implacable will, the fury of reprisals, the passion for dominion.”