News Behind the Headlines

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 274, 22 December 1939, Page 5 (Supplement)

News Behind the Headlines

The Inside Story of What is Happening in the World To-Day

. . . CREDIT AND CARRY. We reported, last week that the present cash dealings in American armaments cannot continue. Vast as the Allies’ reserves are, it is now recognised fhat at the rate armaments are destroyed, the cash we have in America will soon be expended. The immense orders placed with American manufacturers, and the urgency demanded, have made it necessary for firms to add to their equipment and buildings. Many firms have expanded as much as ten times their previous size. Business is booming. But what will happen when the gold runs out? There would be a slump; millions would be thrown out of work. In such circumstances, it is thought that extended credits will be granted. . . . BELGIUM. There seems to be a dangerous misunderstanding by the public as to the attitude of Belgium in the war. Naturally,- we would like to have Belgium on our side. The Belgian people are a mixture of Gaul, Goth and Hun. The Gallic element probably are sympathetic to the Allies, but the Flemish, Dutch and German elements tend to sympathise with Hitler. The Belgian Nazis, under Leon Le Grellc, have made several bold bids for power. King Leopold is not as democratic as was his father, King Albert. King Leopold’s appeal for peace, and his declaration that Belgium would resist any violation of her neutrality, were aimed as much at the Allies as at Hitler. The Belgian Air Force has shot down and killed Allied pilots who unwittingly flew over Belgium. Shortly before the broadcast King Leopold reviewed the Belgian Army at war manoeuvres on the French frontier! The significance of this move has not been lost on Lord Gort or General Gamelin. . . . STALEMATE. Holland is now being squeezed between the belligerents. The threat of Nazi invasion becomes more ominous every day, and with it the Dutch tend to favour the Allies. If Hitler invades Holland and uses it as a base for raids on England he will put the British off-side. We cannot very well attack Holland, and yet Hitler could only be attacked through Holland and Belgium. The Maginot Line and the West Wall have made the old type of invasion impossible. The only unprotected German frontiers are those with Holland and Belgium. . . . CABINETS IN EXILE. The “ exile ” Polish and Czech Governments have never been able to agree. It is an open secret that these so-called cabinets are bound together by the flimsiest of ties. They are storm centres of intrigue. Each man represents “ powerful interests ” which are often in conflict. M. Benes visited Paris recently to finalise particulars of the Czech Government with the Quai d’Orsay, and was left to cool his heels for several weeks. M. Benes had expected to fly back to London the same day. While languishing in corridors he was 'thrown into the society of his compatriot, M. Osusky, who was also not welcome. M. Osusky is the French stooge in the Czech Cabinet. Pressure was being put on him to agree to the plan for re-creating the Hapsburg Empire which we mentioned last week. This plan is not the scenario for a Douglas Fairbanks picture, but the real thing. It is so real anyway that the Hapsburgs, Wittlesbacks, Saxe-Coburg-Gothas, and all the rest of crown brigade are squabbling over the spoils. . . . SIGNIFICANCE. The plan to restore the Hapsburgs to the throne of the Iloly Roman Empire has a deeper significance than even appears on the surface. Paris is of royal in^ Russia, , Austria, Seruiar" Germany, and subsequently Spam and Portugal joined the Repubh- | can ranks. It is a fact of histoiy

that Republics are happier and more prosperous than Monarchies. But the Monarcliial system has roots in the fancies of millions of people who must have an idol to worship. Our British Monarchy is the exception rather than the rule, for the King’s power is limited, and the actual government is done by Parliament. European kings, however, are only royal dictators. These royal exiles see-in the plan to recreate the Idoly Roman Empire (which the Germans call the First Reich) an' opportunity of returning other Monarchies. One of these is the Due de Guise, the Pretender of the Throne of France. The trump card that chance has thrown into their hands is the fear of Communism in the minds of business men. Monarchies, they say, are the best barrier against Communism.

... NO PLEBISCITE. The men who make.these plans seldom consider the opinions or interests of the general public of the countries concerned. The Czechs, for instance, who are to be included in the Iloly Roman Empire are fervent republicans. The Socialist and Communist parties had a big majority in the Czech Parliament. M. Osusky’s friends in 1919 helped “ Admiral” Horthy to terrorise Hungary on the excuse of expelling the Communists. M. Benes, however, is firmly confirmed in the democratic principles of his predecessor, M. Masyrak. Hence the cold reception. . . . INDIA.

The greatest reservoir of man power in the British Empiie is India. In the last war nearly 2,000,000 Indians were conscripted for active service abroad. Many of these are magnificent fighters. Since 1918, however, the Indian peoples have been taking an increasing interest in their own Government. This is largely the work of Mr. Gandhi, the Indian independence movement is represented by the Congress Party which has recently been at almost a deadlock with the Government. Sir Samuel Hoare has decided to “conciliate the Congress leaders, but has not answered a very pertinent question, namely, what substance is there in the bogey of a Russian invasion of India through the Khyber Pass. There is a growing tension in India which threatens to break out in violence if not checked. The question is: What form will the checking take? . . . FINLAND. The Finns are reported to be making a brave stand against the Russian invader. These cheerful reports may follow the historical precedents of Napoleon’s Hundred Days, and Hitler’s conquest of Poland. In each case the aggressor was reported to be defeated at every engagement, yet devoured whole countries like a fire in a field of dry grass. . . . CENSOR. The Censorship Bureau and the Ministry of Information seem to get mixed up with the news they dish out. Their foibles have caused much hilarity in the House of Lords. Lord Raglan confessed to receiving £750 a year to examine illustrated papers, but complained that he could only find enough work to occupy him one hour a day. On complaining of this he was offered a secretary! The Earl of Middleton threatened to make some most unpleasant disclosures unless the whole organisation was cleaned up. It may be a shame to spoil the pleasant club-life of these worthy old Etonians, but the newspapers of the Empire would appreciate a little efficiency just for a change. . . . SUPREMACY.

We British cherish some queer ilhyuons about ourselves. One is muddle through; we despise Lord Baldup as a typidid much illusion. But ■MBMMT was not only a wily and skillful thinker. As far back as 1935 he was preaching that England .. frontier was on the Rhine, and

that air supremacy was as vital to our safety as naval supremacy. When this truth was sufficiently realised Britain was hopelessly behind Germany in her capacity to build planes; indeed, German superiority was as much as 10 to 1. To overcome this stupendous handicap, it was decided to copy General Milch’s (Nazi Air Chief), plan to standardise a few wellproved types and equipment, and to subsidise car and other manufacturers to build “shadow factories.” This took time, and due to the bungling of the former Minister for Co-ordination of Defence, Sir Thomas Inskip, was badly retarded. It was only after Munich that Admiral Lord Chatfield took over the job and got down to business. Admiral Lord Chatfield is a human dynamo with imagination, courage, and driving force. His logical reasoning cut through festoons of red tape and tradition. This did not make him popular with stuffed shirts, but Lord Chatfield gets things done. In aerial rearmament little Sir Kingsley Wood, who had been brilliantly successful in modernising the G.P.0., showed his mettle as Air Minister. His choice of Sir Cyril Newall to command the R.A.F. is typical.

It is difficult to grasp the staggering size of Britain’s Air Industry. One factory alone (which only assembles medium bombers) covers nearly 250. acres! Rolls-Royce have established branch factories at Crewe and in Scotland. The production lines in some of these engine plants are nearly half a mile long. And every month they get longer, and longer. That is only one side of the story. The other is the design of planes. In flying-boats and military aircraft, Britain has led the world. The Super marine “Spitfire” and the Hawker “Hurricane ” are supreme in single combat, the Wellington bombers in range and load. But these machines were designed six years ago. New models are being prepared. The last war found aviation in swaddling clothes and left it a lusty youth. This war may see a similar acceleration of the science of flying. With the operation of the Empire training scheme Britain will step into first place of the world’s air Powers. If the war lasts another three years Ave may have an Air Force of 40,000 planes, and a capacity to build more than 60,000 planes a year. Hitler, look out, the young men of Britain are coming ....

... BIG PUSH. China guards the back door of the British Empire. Last week British gun-boats were withdrawn from the Yangtse-Kiang. A year ago this would have helped the sinister little Japs, but now it makes little difference—to China. While currents of super hot air have been observed rushing sunwards from the Military H.Q. of Berlin, Moscow, Rome and Madrid, the biggest force ever assembled has been training for a year in the vast hinterland of China. Ten million soldiers, thousands of shiny new planes, tanks and guns, all preparing for the big push that will drive the Japanese out of China. For a year this has been Kai-Shek’s secret. When he strikes the Japanese forces in China will crumple like mud walls before the flooding Yellow River. Japanese leaders realise that they have no chance of defending their conquests against this force. Japan is bankrupt and cannot be strained much further. The Mikado is now turning to the Allies for help! His plan is, that if Britain and America help him establish his puppet Government in China he will be free to attack Russia in the rear.

There are many leading strategists who believe that this war may be won or lost in China. The situation is fraught with the gravest possibilities, particularly for us in New Zealand. In such circumstances it is a comfort to reflect that President Roosevelt has sent the American Navy into the Pacific.