Manawatu Evening Standard TUESDAY, SEPT. 17 1940. A DESPERATE DICTATOR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 248, 17 September 1940, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard TUESDAY, SEPT. 17 1940. A DESPERATE DICTATOR.

Out of the clouds which lined London’s autumn sky on Friday afternoon swept a Nazi bomber. According to the enemy propagandist it was one of several with a mission to destroy oil tanks close to Buckingham Palace. Down it came and dropped its bombs, but not on oil tanks for the simple reason that there are none within miles of the King and Queen’s London home. Its aim was exact and the objective was hit, but providentially Their Majesties escaped harm and all except three of their staff were similarly fortunate. The bombing was repeated on Sunday with more damage. The beastly, wanton cruelty of Hitlerism Ims thus been exposed in all its barbaric savagery once again to the world. When the Nazis invaded Norway and its gallant Royal Family led the people in their resistance, Nazi airmen sought out their hiding places and bombed them wherever they might be. They gave King Haakon and his family no respite, but these savages of the air were denied the murdering success they hoped to achieve. Similarly, Queen Wilhelmina had a most unenviable experience when Holland was invaded. When the Nazis’ attempts to capture her were frustrated they sent their bombers against the Royal Palace at The Hague, but a means of escape was at hand and safety was found in England. The story of the Nazi raid on Buckingham Palace has filled the civilised world with loathing and contempt for the creatures who sit in authority in Berlin, and for their henchman Mussolini. The damage done by the bombs is typical of what has happened in London and elsewhere, stately buildings and homes—the mansions of the rich and the dwellings of the poor —historical monuments and ancient churches have been struck down in this ruthless bombing which reached its apex in the attack on Their Majesties. The' love felt for the King and Queen throughout the Empire and in other places is reflected in the messages of congratulation on their providential escape. They are an inspiration to their subjects in these critical hours for England and its capital. From the first days of the conflict they have not spared themselves in their duties to the nation, and at the end of July they had carried out their thousandth engagement, together or singly, since September 3, 1939. This amazing total was not lost upon British people who deeply appreciate what their King and Queen are doing in the war. In all the armed forces His Majesty has taken a most lively and practical interest and the war work of women has received Her Majesty’s special commendation. They have travelled extensively throughout the kingdom, giving

words of encouragement to those who must work long hours and know little pleasure till the task is ended with victory and, in the last few days, sympathy to the many hundreds in London, particularly in the poorer quarters, who have been bereaved of loved ones or have lost their homes and possessions as a result of the Nazi air warfare. They typify all that is Britain to-day—its proud spirit, strengthened resolve to defeat the forces of evil, and courage in the face of the most awful form of torture, the unceasing rain of bombs from the sky. And in Berlin sits the author of this frightfulness, red with rage and hatred of the people who stand between him and world domination, but whose weaknesses are being revealed in hesitation to order the invasion of Britain and in the indiscriminate, bombing of London.