NAZI BRUTALITY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21227, 25 September 1940, Page 7

NAZI BRUTALITY

ANGER IN BRITAIN RETALIATION DEMANDED MEET HITLER’S WISHES 'United Press Asn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 24 “Letters are pouring into every newspaper office from angry readers demanding reprisals for the hideous bombing of London’s citizens,” says the Daily Mail in a leading article. “Everywhere in the bombed areas the same cry is heard. The demand for reprisals simply cannot be ignored. It is time to bring out the Whole subject into the open. We must redefine 'indiscriminate bombing’ and ‘military objectives.' “Our Government says the 10,000,000 people in Greater London are subjected to indiscriminate bombing. That is true, but is it the whole truth? The bombs which have killed or wounded thousands of civilians have mostly fallen near docks, bridges, railways, gas and electricity works, telephone exchanges, crossroads, the Sovereign’s home and and Government offices. It could scarcely be otherwise, for in big cities Vital services exist alongside the homes of the people. No Centre Exempt “Under the German conception of total warfare, no centre of population is exempt from attack. A city is itself a military objective. Britain is aiming at German’s military nerve centre, and Germany is aiming at Britain’s civilian nerve centre. We must make up our mind whether Germany is attacking legitimate objectives. “Hitler wants total war. We should satisfy him. The German code permits the bombing of London, so we have the right to attack similar objectives in Berlin. “To say there will not be reprisals against civilians is to tell Goering: ‘Go ahead and bomb the people of London. We will not bomb the people of Berlin.’ “Must we give an open cheque to murder?”

BEATINO THE BOMBERS

RESEARCH IN BRITAIN GREAT HOPE OF SUCCESS (United Press Asn. —Elee. Tel. Copyrtgnt) LONDON, Sept. 24 It is authoritatively stated that Britain’s best scientific brains are concentrating on the task of beating the night bombers. The practical application of recent improvements in defence measures already justifies the hope of fulfilment of Sir Archibald Sinclair’s prophecy that the pleasure of night-bombing will cease to be attractive to Goering. Scientists are studying the problem from several directions, including improved anti-aircraft fire, a high balloon barrage, use of searchlights, and speedier fighter interception. New inventions are given searching investigation, but, contrary to rumour, no entirely new weapon has yet emerged. It would be a mistake to concentrate on finding a solution that is applicable only in certain conditions. The defenders’ aim is to make the I reception so hot in all weathers that even indiscriminate bombing will become profitless and dangerous.

LAUGH FOR AIRMEN

ALLEGATIONS BY ITALIANS COLONIAL MERCENARY PILOTS ;Uniteit Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 24 A bomber pilot, broadcasting, said the Royal Air Force’s biggest laugh of the war had been caused by an Italian newspaper, which declared: “The R.A.F. has succeeded in bombing Germany and Italy by offering the colonial mercenary pilots bonuses of £SOO for each night raid over Germany and £6OO for each similar raid over Italy.” The pilot added: “I have carried out 20 raids over Germany, so 1 should now have tho nice little sum cf £10.000.”

EASY TO EXAGGERATE

THE DA3I AGE IN BRITAIN LOSSES SOON MADE UP (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 23 Mr J. M. Keynes, the well-known economist, broadcasting, said: “It is easy to exaggerate the damage to the national resources which Britain has so far suffered. We have lost 1,500,000 tons of shipping, but this loss in one year is no greater than our normal yearly capacity to build ships. “In the losses of property by bombs the case is no worse. The total damage before the end of July could be made up in a couple of days by the country’s peace-time building capacity. The damage in August was much more considerable, but could be made up within a month. “The heavy destruction in London during the past three weeks has nut yet accurately b<?*en estimated, but London is a L*fg place. There can be a mighty ptfwer of destruction before building properties in Britain are seriously touched. One million pounds worth of destruction is a frightful sighV. but if we suffered such damage, nightly 'for a year we should not lose moif than four per cent cf our building and contents, or mure than is restorable m s .couple of years,-” , .