Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, SEPT. 21, 1940. THE COURAGE THAT WINS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 252, 21 September 1940, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, SEPT. 21, 1940. THE COURAGE THAT WINS.

Against tlie inhuman fury that has assailed London in the Nazi raids'of. the past few weeks the nation stands undismayed; especially is this true of the people who have suffered most from the barbarity of the raiders —non-combatant men, women and children; Those who alleged that the British spirit was becoming decadent are assuredly being answered now, for the Londoner, who is perhaps the most typical Briton that can be found, has emerged from the greatest test of endurance lie has ever had to face, with his spirit unbroken—with liis determination strengthened to see the world rid of its colossal evil. It is well to keep a true perspective of events in these days of trial for the British people. The Empire may look with dismay at the attacks on its greatest city, the destruction of many homes and damage to buildings which are famous the world over and which alone to many people are London. True, much damage has been done —it would be foolish to underestimate it—but the city’s life goes on with remarkable evidence of the capacity of its people to adapt themselves to changing conditions. The loss of life, lamentable as it is, for the victims are nearly all helpless civilians, is less ‘ than might have been anticipated under the indiscriminate methods employed by the enemy. The facts are that after repeated attacks and indiscriminate bombings with the heaviest and deadliest weapons he can use, the enemy has failed to demoralise the people in even the faintest degree; instead lie has brought to the attention of the whole world the brightest flame of human endurance that has ever burned, and has again demonstrated how greatly he has mistaken the calibre of the defenders of Democracy.

A factor which must have repercussions valuable to Britain’s prestige is the testimony of neutral correspondents who have been given free rein, to go where they choose and record whatever they see in the damaged areas. This is in sharp contrast to the severe restrictions imposed on the neutral observers in Berlin and elsewhere in Germany, who can merely chronicle what official statements tell them about the Royal Air Force’s accomplishments—against definite military objectives. And the story the neutrals in London have to tell is just what our, people themselves have been told. The truth is that there is no. sign of paralysis of the life of London that the enemy swears must exist; there are mountains of food available for the victims whose homes have been destroyed, thanks to a splendid organisation whose chief concern is how to keep a smooth flow in the distribution of it. Not one aerodrome, as another instance,

has been put out of action. The workpeople go about their tasks even when the Nazi planes are overhead, especially so where they are engaged on war work. A tremendous amount of inconvenience has been caused, but that, too, is being overcome in the speediest possible way. What is claiming chief attention now is the most efficient method of employing all the air raid shelter available, and the authorities, with the co-operation of the people, will ensure that. The Battle of London has demonstrated beyond all question that whatever comes in the w'ay of further ruthlessness from the enemy will be futile, for the morale of the people cannot be shaken'. Meanwhile, the attack is being carried to the enemy by dauntless British airmen whose achievements will occupy a sublime place in the history of aerial warfare on military objectives.