Wairarapa Times-Age MONDAY, MAY 25, 1942. THE WAY TO VICTORY.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 May 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age MONDAY, MAY 25, 1942. THE WAY TO VICTORY.

JN some observations made at his daily Press conference, and reported on Saturday, President Roosevelt “stressed an opinion that the war would be long.’’ lie issued a caution, also, against over-optimism one week and over-pessimism the next. This warning is wise and timely, for the reason that fluctuations of the kind to which Mr Roosevelt referred are unsettling and tend to impair the inflexible and increasing efforts on which the United Nations must rely for victory.

Steady courage and ungrudging effort certainly arc demanded not less now of all the peoples ranged against Axis gangsterdom than they were in the darker days when Britain and her Dominions stood almost alone. In spite of heavy difficulties yet to be overcome—not least that of defeating the U-boat campaign and building up mercantile and supply fleets to enable the Allies to make full use in all theatres of their rapidly expanding output of planes, weapons and other war equipment and materials—the total, outlook in the war is vastly brighter than it was a year ago, or even a few months ago.’ A prolongation of the war or even worse misfortunes would be invited, however, if the people of the United States or those of any other Allied nation assumed too easily that the worst is already over. The only way in which the United Nations can shorten the war is by striking at their enemy with increasing power and effect.

It has been said justly in London that the British Commonwealth of Nations is celebrating Empire Day this year in its finest hour, in peril and in high endeavour to establish a greater commonwealth of nations. Victory over the Axis, when it has been won, will not bring ease and relaxation, but rather the opportunity and the vital need for sustained and resolute efforts to lift the internal organisation of nations and their mutual relationships to a higher and nobler plane.