AMERICAN COMMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 July 1940, Page 5

AMERICAN COMMENT

APPROVAL OF BRITISH DECISION FINAL BLOW TO TALK OF APPEASEMENT. WILL TO WIN RE-AFFIRMED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. July 5. With full confidence, Mr Churchill has left the resolute action taken against the French fleet to prevent it falling into enemy hands to world opinion and to history. The judgment of history must wait till the war is won, but world opinion has already been stated. American opinion shows that it shares Britain's regret that such actions should have been forced upon her. The “New York Times” says: “Whatever bitterness may arise in France at this tragedy, fair-minded opinion will agree that the British were right in what they did.’’ Attention in the Press comment is also drawn to a statement by the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Pittman, approving the British action. It will be recalled that last week Mr Pittman, in a pessimistic interview, expressed doubt about Britain's ability to defend herself. The New York “Herald-Tribune” approves of the British action as dealing the final blow to the talk of appeasement. “By it Britain has reaffirmed her will to win,” it states. “That will entitle Britain to every aid the United States can give.” OPINION IN LONDON. British newspapers express general approval of Mr Churchill’s judgment, at the same time remarking that they share his sorrows. The “Manchester Guardian” describes the battle at Oran as the most painful and terrible event of the war. The two countries had fought two wars together for the freedom of mankind. Their national life had become more intimate because of this sharing of common ideals and was approaching complete union. The circumstance wheih had brought about the latest action was a dark and bitter day for both. “The Times" stresses that the British action was not against the Germans for the Petain Government was no longer neutral. It had changed sides, and was now with the enemy. Other newspapers stress thaj; no undue blame should be placed on the personnel of the French Fleet, whose action may have been determined by the blackguardly manner of the pressure brought to bear on them by the Gestapo. They also comment on the complete moral bankruptcy of the Petain Government, which had been converted into a tool of the Nazis. It was well, remarked one newspaper, that the French no longer counted, for their moral authority had gone.