AMAZING CAREER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 139, 13 May 1940, Page 9

AMAZING CAREER.

MR CHURCHILL’S VIGOUR. Mr "Winston Leonard Spencer .Churchill, who was born in 1874, laid the foundation of bis militant political career bv serving in the Army. His service in the Sudan in 1898 combined with bis outstanding literary gifts to produce a vivid account of the campaign, “The River War.” He reported the Boer War for the Morning Post, was captured, and made bis escape in sensational circumstances. In 1900 be entered the House of Commons as Conservative member for Oldham. Too vigorous a personality to be bound by party principles, ho was returned in 1906 as a Liberal Free Trader. In 1911 be became First Lord of the Admiralty. When in the Great War it was decided finaly to abandon the Gallipoli adventure, be acted characteristically ; be delivered a powerful speech of defence in the House of Commons, and then went on active service in France. In 1917, however, lie returned to office as Minister of Munitions. The following year, and until 1921. lie acted as Secretary of State, for War and Air Minister, sponsoring a policy of intervention in Russia during this period. From .1924 to 1928 he was Chancellor of the'Exchequer. FORMER CRITICISM. Since "1928 lie has been out of office and was" 'something of a stern critic.of Mr Baldwin’s. Government, and until tlie outbreak oT war o f Mr Chamberlain’s. He had, liowever, give ri li is sii pport on notable occasions. . What lie says usually carries great weight among the people of England. As a biographer, historian, war correspondent, and i,reviewer, lie is in the world’s front rank, He. is one of - England’s great orators, and be lias a magnificent literary style.:' ■ ' l 1 " The energy, and vigour of: Mr Churchill’s outlook, were regarded Us indispensable to the successful' prosecution of tiie war and when the War Cabinet was formed .on - September 3 last, Mr •.Churchill was given bis. old post of< First Lord of the Admiralty. In this role,Mi: Churchill lias acted with boldness and*precision and some weeks ago lie. was appointed ,to a. position equivalent to su’prenie war ‘director. In. bis speech iii- the -House of-'Commons this week- Mr Chamberlain ' announced that Nfr Churchill was authorised by Cabinet to give g uidanee and- direction to the Chiefsrof-Staff Committee. Mr Chiirehill.-would have the responsibility for the supervision of 'the -military operations day by day. This would ensure that every aspect of military policy was examined, and that the decisions would be followed with speed and energy.