The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES." GISBORNE, MONDAY, OCT. 23, 1939. THE VIRTUE OF PATIENCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20075, 23 October 1939, Page 6

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES." GISBORNE, MONDAY, OCT. 23, 1939. THE VIRTUE OF PATIENCE

In a broadcast reviewing the first seven weeks of the war, the British Secretary for War remarked that the greatest virtue at the present time was that of patience. At a moment when the policy of the Allies seems to be one of masterly inactivity this comment is one that deserves to be borne steadily in mind. The whole campaign of the Allies has been based on the assumption that time is on their side and against Germany. Of the soundness of this view there can be little doubt. In the first place, Germany is far more vulnerable than Britain and France to economic pressure: secondly, Germany has long since reached the peak of military preparation while the Allies are only now building up to it: and, thirdly, the morale and unity of the Allies are not likely to be impaired by a long struggle whereas those of Germany are in constant danger. It is obviously wise, therefore, for the Allies to play for time rather than to attempt, possibly at heavy cost, to force the issue and bring the war to an early end. It is natural, perhaps, that in some quarters there should be a desire for results—for many reasons, incidentally, this desire is much more marked in Germany than in the Allied countries —but it should not be forgotten that from the Allied point of view the war is proceeding according to plan.

Even before the war started Mr. Chamberlain indicated in a letter to Herr Hitler that if hostilities commenced they would be protracted. After war had been declared, the Prime Minister announced that plans were being laid on the assumption that the conflict would last for three years at least. More recently, he stated that nothing would force the Atlies into adventures which experience had shown would be of little value in deciding the issue. The plain fact is that the Allies can afford to play a waiting game; Germany cannot. This view has been supported

by recent developments . in every sphere of the war. As Lord Marley

pointed out to an American audience last week, if Herr Hitler attacks lie must suffer heavy losses; if he does not attack it will be regarded by his own people as an admission of wcakness. Since he has scant regard for the Jives of even his own troops he can be expected to attack, and indeed has already done so. He has been forced, not only by circumstances, but also by the policy he has always advocated, into the adventures which the Allies are so carefully avoiding. It is still the belief on the Continent that attack is the best form of defence, but the Allies have evolved a different strategy and contend that in all the circumstances existing to-day defence is the best method of attack.

Hitler's theory of the lightning

stroke certainly gave him an early victory in Poland, but at what cost, lias not yet been disclosed. In achieving this spectacular result, however, his army was so preoccupied that the French were enabled to take the initiative on the Western Front and it was possible for the British forces to be transported to France without the loss of a single life. . If the .long view is taken, therefore, Hitler probably lost far more than he gained from his offensive in Poland. Nazi iaetics demand that there should be more spectacular results, and since, with rare exceptions, these cannot be achieved is has been necessary for the German

propaganda machine to invent them. Having been immobilised on sea and on land, Germany has been forced to seek results in the air, These, however, have generally been disastrous. Apart from minor successes in the raid on the Firth of Forth, every air attack has been a dismal failure and a conservative estimate would suggest that one-third of the planes taking part in last week's raids were shot down. Germany has not, and cannot afford to have, the virtue of patience. Her activity at sea is limited to isolated attacks by submarines, which are becoming more and more circumscribed, and her efforts in the air have generally been a failure. Where, then, will she direct her activity, since she cannot remain inactive? There were indications last week that an offensive on the Western Front was planned, but for some undisclosed reason this was abandoned, or at least postponed. It may come in the near future, not only because time is the essence of the campaign so far as Germany is concerned, but also because German military doctrine is dominated by the idea of the offensive and the destruction of the opposing forces. In the last war, this was to some extent at least, the policy of the Allies, and the result was an enormous waste of life in attaining objectives that had little real military value. It is not likely that the mistake will be repeated. On the contrary, it is to be expected that they will conduct, in the main, a defensive campaign. It is significant that the Allied troops are already reported to have fallen back on to French territory. There is no suggestion that they have been driven back and the conclusion is that, since time to them is no object, they prefer

that the enemy should exhaust himself in the offensive from which he cannot refrain and, in particular, by battering himself against the- Maginot Line. It is important that it should be realised by the public, as it is clearly realised by the military 'leaders, that nothing can be gained, and much might be lost, by ill-timed offensives. They must not expect

spectacular successes, but must, as Mr. llorc-Belisha has emphasised.

practice the virtue of patience, confident in the belief that this virtue, as others, will bring its own reward.