MARSHAL SMUTS' ADDRESS

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 251, 24 October 1942, Page 5

MARSHAL SMUTS' ADDRESS

TONIC EFFECT OF MESSAGE. NO WINTER. RESPITE FOR AXIS

P.A. Special

LONDON. Oct. 22.

Field Marshal Smuts' speech had a tonic effect throughout Britain 011 the millions whoheard the broadcast, and the general comment on all sides in London to-day is that the people were thrilled and impressed. The press universally hails it with superlativas. The Times refeirs to General Smuts' /"Imperial voice" and his "authoritative judgment." The Manchester Gu&rdian says: "Marshal Smuts encourages us all." The Daily Mail called his speech "nobie." The Daily Telegraph says that the speech was an antidote to the denigration of the past, to doubting at the present and to frustration in the future." • Following so closely on Mr Churchill' s and President Rocsevelt's encouraging speeches by comparison with those of the German leaders, it re-endorses the innate feeling of confidence among the general public that the Allied nations will win the war, although it is roalised that a bloody, perhaps sacrificial period lies ahead. There is a generai feeling that hard blows will be struck against the Axis in the coming months and that- the winter will ibring the Axis no respite. A MEMORABiLE SCENE Meanwhile those who- were privileged to see and hear General Smuts will long remembcr the seene of his speech. One of its most impressive points was the simplicity of the proceedings, which were traditionallv Pariiamentary. They will remomber the colourful figure of Field Marshal Smuts standing in frcnt of a large maroon curtain under the glare of brilliant arc lights, a striking figure with his thmnin-g white hair and white, sharp-pointed beard, and his Field Marshal's uniform splashed with crimson tabs and rows of decorations — and how. characteiistically, he frequently rubbed his right hand on tlie back of his left. Then, when he warmed up to his speech, he heldthe typescript in his right hand while he read from it, occasionally emphasismg his points by lightly tapping the table with the palm of his left hand. They will also remember the delightful scene when Mr Churchill expressed "thanks and gratitude for all Field Marshal Smuts had done," and the peers and commoners singing "for he's a jolly good fellow," while Mr Lloyd George, Mr Churchill and the: Speaker. beaming and smiling, warmly shook hands with South Africa' s Prime Minister.