HITLER’S CHOICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 July 1941, Page 6

HITLER’S CHOICE

SHOOTING WAR WITH U.S.A.

OR LOSS OF THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC

ACCORDING TO R. GRAM»SWING

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 20. Air Raymond Gram Swing, Hie famous American commentator, in a broadcast speech, said: “There are three kinds of modern war. There is the ideological war, there is the shooting war, and there is the industrial war. This Avar is all three.

“If it were not an ideological war for individual human freedom it would have been over long ago. ".Next in importance is the industrial war. The Battle of France was won by machines and by relatively few men. The Nazis had five years’ start in piling up machines of war. Till, that supremacy is levelled off and surpassed the Nazis will be unbeatable.

"The shooting war really comes into its importance when the supremacy in machines has been achieved. "The United States is in two of these wars. It is in the ideological war. In fact one of the first guns in this war was fired by America when it withdrew its ambassador from Berlin as a protest against the persecution of the Jews. Nobody has spoken more eloquently and convincingly about the ideological meaning of the war than President Roosevelt and the same faith is deeply embedded in American hearts.

"The great transformation which came over the United States was when wo entered the industrial war and entered it for the duration. We set about to produce weapons with which Hitler should be beaten. We found a way to supply them to you which cut through all the difficulties of the Neutrality Act. Now we are accepting it that this course will, affect a change' in. indeed revolutionise, our national and economic life.

"Mr Harry Hopkins, who is in charge of executing the lend and lease policy, and who is probably the closest friend and adviser of the President, is here and has given you a refreshing summary of what America is to supply in weapons, ships and food. He speaks with unique knowledge of that programme. He told you that the goods will be delivered. “This problem brings us to the brink of the shooting war. Hitler promised to sink any ship bringing aid to Britain. President Roosevelt promised that the supplies will be delivered. At first it was hoped that, the extension of the Atlantic patrols would safeguard shipping. Now a much more drastic step has been taken in the occupation of Iceland. President Roosevelt has ordered that the lines of communication to Iceland be kept open. If Hiller tries to close them there will be shooting by Americans. If he does not the Atlantic crossing will be safe up to the last 800 miles. “Hitler has to choose between a shooting war with the United States and losing the battle of the Atlantic. That is where the policy of the American Government has brought us."