TOPICS OF THE DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21227, 25 September 1940, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Drakes IFav N. Many people have been struck by the similarity /’ f ri . s ' ituation today lo that in 1587-6, that earlier and no less grave , usls m oul history when we awaited the fruition of all the preparations !!.roughout the Spanish Empire in Europe and America for a descent . Upon this island, writes Mr A. L. Rowse in The Spectator. At this cot»/~ parable moment, in the same week as the Armada was brought to battle in the Channel, it is more than interesting, it is exciting, to listen to the views of Drake himseTf on the absorbing question of offensive versus defensive, whether it is belter to await the en&my’s blow in your own waters, on your own soil, or whether the best defence is not to carry the war into his. Drake’s views are expressed at length and copiously: none of your strong-silent-man nonsense with him: he had the superb natural eloquence oi the great man of action, like Nelson, like Cromwell, and he was not afraid to let himself go. lie declared himself a general in favour of a descent upon thc enemy s coast, a surprise attack upon his shipping and transports, breaking up and destroying them so that there vvujald be no invasion.