PERILS OVERCOME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 August 1940, Page 6

PERILS OVERCOME

THOUGH ROAD TO VICTORY FIAY BE LONG Britain’s Expanding War Effort MR WINSTON CHURCHILL’S REVIEW BLOCKADE TO BE ENFORCED STRICTLY (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.40 a.in.) LONDON, August 20. The Prime Minister (Mr Winston Churchill), in the House of Commons, gave a comprehensive review of the war situation. Referring to the subject of the blockade, he said it was Britain’s intention to maintain and enforce a strict blockaae, not only of Germany, but of Italy, France and all other countries that had fallen into German power. Britain would not allow food to pass the blockade for subjugated populations, as it would be pillaged by the Nazis. Announcing that Britain was according - naval and air defence facilities to the United States in Newfoundland and the West Indies on a ninety-nine years’ leasehold basis, Mr Churchill said: “There is no question of any transference of sovereignty or of any action being taken against the wishes of the various colonies concerned, and we feel sure that our interests, no less than those of the United States, and the interests of the colonies themselves and those of Canada and Newfoundland will be served thereby.’’ . Mr Churchill said this new type of war, in which the entire population fought, was well suited to the British genius. Many opportunities would lie open to an amphibious Power. “One way to bring the war to a speedy end,’’ he said, “is to convince the enemy by deeds that we have both the will and the means, not only to go on indefinitely, but to strike heavy and unexpected blows. The road to victory may not be so long as we expect, but we have no right to count upon this. Be it long or short, rough or smooth, we mean to reach our journey’s end.’’

CATARACT OF DISASTER

After reviewing the “cdtaract of disaster” which had poured out upon the Allies since the new Government was formed in the middle of May, Mr Churchill said the British nation and the British Empire stood undismayed. ‘'Meanwhile,” he continued, “we have not only fortified our hearts, but our island. We have rearmed and rebuilt our armies in a degree which seemed impossible a few months ago, and more than two million determined men have rifles and bayonets in their hands tonight. The Navy is far stronger than at the beginning of the war. The U-boats are contained, the magnetic mine is mastered. Germany’s numerical air superiority remains, but in view of increasing production in Britain and with American production only just beginning to flow in, it will not continue.”

TRIBUTE TO AIR FORCE

Mr Churchill paid an eloquent tribute to the R.A.F., whose raids on Germany afforded the surest, if not the shortest road to victory. If the Nazi legions stood at the Black Sea gates of India, he said, it would profit Hitler nothing if at the same time the entire economic and scientific apparatus of German war power lay shattered and pulverised at home.

TRANSITION NOTED

ANXIETY TO CONFIDENCE. PROMISE OF ASSAULT AND VICTORY. (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 23. The “Daily Mail” says: “Our own and other nations, including, our enemies, will recognise in Mr Churchill’s speech a transition from days of anxiety to days of confidence. It rings with the authentic promise of assault and victory.”