Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1940. A CHALLENGE BRAVELY MET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 April 1940, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1940. A CHALLENGE BRAVELY MET

vast issues at stake and the ultimate outcome lar as yet from being' decided, the events now developing in Scandinavia should not be made the subject ol expressions 01. cheap and. airy optimism. With British naval and air forces taking a leading part, and land forces also no doubt, about to be thrown into the scale, the Allies have entered into a blaze of desperate conflict, of which the brave dash 01. five British destroyers into Narvik is only a single example, though one that will live in naval and national annals. Much yet remains to be determined in this great struggle which has opened so suddenly in Northern Europe, but already in the gallant account the British forces engaged have given ol themselves, good grounds appear for deep pride and for quiet confidence. Bearing in mind that the brutal attack now being made on the life and liberty of neutral States must have been planned and prepared long in advance by Nazi Germany, the extent, to which this criminal enterprise has already been cast into disarray by the swift action of the Allies is as remarkable as it is gratifying. Against the fact that Norway is invaded and has been dispossessed for the time being of a considerable amount of her territory, including her capital and a number of her west coast ports, there is to be set the loss by Germany of at least the greater part of the cruiser force with which she entered the war, together with many other warships, transports and supply ships. Tn the enterprise and daring with which the Allies are pressing their attacks into the Kattegat and elsewhere, there is a threat already well developed, to Germany’s sea communications with Norway and therefore to the German forces occupying that country. The position is not yet defined in all its details, but in the extent to which it is defined, the enemy’s carefully prepared, invasion of Norway appears even at this early stage to have been thrown seriously out of gear. Much must depend on the developments of the immediate future, and even of the next few days, in warfare on land as well, as at sea. and in the air. As against allegations, apparently German-inspired, that, the Government of Norway is attempting to open negotiations for peace, there are explicit reports that the Norwegians are resolutely opposing flic invaders in. the area, north of Oslo and in mountain passes in the northern regions of their country. As yet. there are brief references only to the movement of an Allied expeditionary force, but direct military support for the Norwegians no doubt is vitally necessary and important in order that the invaders may be completely and finally overcome. Some factors of uncertainty exist, notably in the possibility that Germany may seek relief and advantage by coercing Sweden or by invading that country. It remains to be seen, too, how far Soviet Russia is prepared to go in assisting the latest development of German aggression. On the whole, however, reasons appear for believing that in her invasion of Denmark and Norway, Germany has engaged in a desperately risky adventure and that the Allies have fair prospects of bringing about her undoing. For the time being Denmark is entirely helpless, but it is likely that there is and will be a different story to tell where Norway is concerned. Gaining as full command over that country as she has gained over Denmark, Germany of course would strengthen her position considerably. With air and sea bases of great value, she would also secure metal and food supplies of which she is in desperate need. Holding Norway, she would also be able to exercise a full command over Sweden and Swedish supplies. On the other hand, loss of the foothold she has meantime established in Norway probably would go far io ensure Germany’s ultimate defeat. If they are able, in. co-operation with the Norwegians, to cut off and destroy the Nazi forces in Norway, the Allies will be very much better placed than they have been to carry the war, and their blockade, into the Baltic. Precisely -what is entailed in the defeat of the invasion of Norway must depend io some extent on the course of action, or inaction, adopted by Russia, but in any case the Allies are now faced by opportunities for positive enterprise and an exercise of initiative which hitherto they have been to a great extent denied. In the opening days of the northern conflict they have turned these opportunities magnificently to account. Maintaining the standards of vigorous and effective action thus set, they may be expected to open up promising prospects of the redemption of Europe and the world from Nazi aggression and tyranny.

AN APPEAL FOR MORE MEN JT need not. be doubted that there Will be a worthy response to the appeal made by Major-General Freyberg, V.C., commander of our Expeditionary Force, to the men of New Zealand.—an appeal to all who are young and fit enough Io join their fellow-countrymen now serving in the Middle East. As yet., so far as operations by land forces are concerned, the war has run a quiet course, but it is iUj|w plain tor all to see that a mighty conflict is opening and if becomes the manifest. duty of free countries like our own. Io ensure that those who rallied first to its defence are not left unsupported. Major-General Freyberg has summed the matter up quietly, but in forcible terms: — I make this appeal to the men of New Zealand, convinced as I am of the justice of our cause, and the urgency of our need. Germany aims at world domination and the ultimate destruction cl' the British Empire. So long as she remains undefeated there can be no peace. ... I urge all who are young and fit enough to bear their share to join us without delay. We look to yon. We shall not look in vain. The Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) no doubt is entitled to point, out, as he has, that: “The response in regard to recruiting compares favourably with New Zealand’s effort in 191-1 . . .” More admittedly has been done in a given time than in the opening phase of the last war. It may be unwise, however, io attach, undue importance to comparisons of this kind. The present war has its own tempo, and possibly may enter upon its decisive phase in the near future. The constitution of our complete Expeditionary Force is already assured. It remains to make certain that reinforcements will be available as and when they are needed. There can be no question of New Zealand leaving its best, and bravest deserted on the field of battle. With the voluntary system in force, there should not be, and it may be hoped will not be, any question of putting pressure on this or that individual to enlist. What may be done, as the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Hamilton) observed when he addressed a recruiting meeting in Mastertoil, is to create the atmosphere in which all members of the community will perceive their duty. Major-General Freyberg’s appeal no doubt will carry full weight from that standpoint. Nothing is more essential Inwards ensuring an ample, continuing flow of recruits than that the total energies of this country should be marshalled for an effective ami unhampered War effort. Every leading detail of economic activity and financial administration should be overhauled to that eml ami there is yet room in this matter for a spiriled lead by the Government —a lead which may besl be given with I’arliamenl assembled. The recruiting call is made Io young and fit men. or rather to those of them who can be spared from essential civilian service—a matter on which clear guidance is promised in the near future. There is a call to lie made also, hdwever, upon every citizen of this country, regardless of sox and almost regardless of age.