ATTACK ON MR EDEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 April 1941, Page 5

ATTACK ON MR EDEN

MADE BY “DAILY MAIL” MISSION TO MIDDLE EAST. SUGGESTION THAT WAVELL WAS OVERRULED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. Apiil 16. “The country will demand an explanation of the present deplorable strategical situation in the Middle East,’ says the "Daily Mail in a leading article. "It is most obvious that Egypt is seriously threatened by the rapid advance of the German armoured forces. The loss of Alexandria, the chief Mediterranean naval base, and the Suez Canal, the centre of Imperial communications, would be most disastrous. “Yesterday it was ’explained’ in London that though the position in Libya was serious there was ’no immediate threat’ to Egypt. While enemy troops are operating strongly east of Tobruk there must be a continuing threat to Egypt. “When an inquiry is made into the Balkans and Libyan campaigns ol 1941. information will be required about the activities of Mr Eden and General Sir John Dill. The public will want to know how far they were allowed to overrule the sound judgment of General Wavell.

“Travelling politicians have proved a nuisance in peacetime, and can become a national danger in wartime. Mr Eden is more distinguished for his emotional idealism than his judgment. We cannot imagine a worse counsellor on hard, realistic war facts."