THE CHINA MAIL, NOVEMBER 7, 1940.
Page
CHINA MAIL Italy's Aims In War
WINDSOR HOUSE
EVACUATION CHANGE Although it may be from the
IN POLICY
see
On
Britain
French Empire that Italy fain would annex the greatest square mileage of territory, for the Greate er Italy of which the Fascists. have always dreamed, there are The dramatic an
at lease four points which the Duco would dearly like to nouncement by Govern-detached from British ownership. ment yesterday, terminat-
petent
and high-spirited; its ar British servicemen whenever These are Gibralter, Aden, Mal stores are plentiful; it has no an invader threatens the ing the policy of compul ta and Cyprus.
little civilian problem over which to groups of islands that constitutes sory evacuation on in-
worry. That, it would, in a war Maltā, That all these four territories which is largely to be. fought in structions from the Sec-are prepared for any eventuality the air, be extensively user, as a In the war Maltese artillery retary of State, will by no is certain. Each of them, more naval base, is improbable enough; men and the citizen too.
nver, has proud traditions of hav-but, it will be held for holding shown remarkable courage
have means terminate the con- ing been unsuccessfully besieged it bars, the western gate of the discipline in the many Italian, troversy.
Middle Sea against. Italy,
raids.
The sieges which Gibraltar, In particular, has endured, are his- toric, and its other name of “The Rock," is as much tribute to the ever since the successively repelled the would-
Those who have not gone are now permitted way in which, to stay, upon their own British captured it in 1704, it has responsibility. Those who he invader, as to its physical pro- have been sent away, how-perties. ever, will not, in general, be permitted to return. In that decision there must inevitably lie source of the deepest dis- satisfaction.
a
Malta, Will Resist Malta, which, pace vociferous claims, never has has a long tradition of having no been Italian, non-combatants in time of war.
The Maltese, as proud of their distinctive character as they are their distinctive language, com-gory in cooperating with, regul-
To-day, Gibraltar is ready for of anything. Its garrison is
A Commonalty Of Courage
01-
it
able surprises for any, who would attempt to take it, and it would not be difficult to reinforce from Westorn Asia: or North Africa.
Aden Guards The Gates:
than the more westerly Mediter
But if Cyprus is less known
Protectorate of Aden, are the ranean colonies, the Colony and
least known of all Mar travel- Aden, have seen its famous tanks, lers have stopped a few hours at have heard stories of how in the air-dries in the fountain pen and and summer months there the ink
have gladly passed on..
In past centuries the odds! Yet Adan is a remarkabla place, against the Maltese. have some- which, incidentally, has been pul times been terrific, achieved by Maltese civilians. have been the deeds of heroism during the last few years. Politi- and many sating with new life and direction cal and social work has been done there, under the guidance of as in the the sympathetic Governor,
Sir of, Bernard Reilly,, which can com- pare with the results of Anglo- Arab cooperation anywhere.
There is in Malta, Maltese language, something Asia, as well as of Europe, and it may be that only a Power which understands the Oriental as well as the. Occidental mentality can bring out the best in the brave and: lovable Maltese people.
Cyprus Goes To War
To Aden and its problems the Italians in recent years have been paying especial attention.
They it was who were primarily res- ponsible for spreading wild lies of British barbarity towards the Bedouin of Southern Arabia,
Aden has been bombed by the Italians. But warfare is no
Less known than the fortresses of Gibraltar, and Malta is Cyprus, which, though inhabited predom- inantly by Greek-speaking peo- novelty to this region. ple, is part of Asia, not of Europe.
It has at its disposal sharp re- taliatory weapons. Together with the British Aden will doubtless see to it. that African territories,
Mediterranean brings no favours. the Southern entrance
the
to Italy.
With this island, thirty times the size of Malta, thoughts of war accord ill. Its classical loveliness, sophy of the inhabitants belong to and the peaceable, leisurely philo- kindlier things.
to
more
Viewing the facts as dispassionately as is pos- sible in the complicated circumstances, it is diffi cult to quarrel with the contention that the inter- national situation does
The institution by His Majesty The clerk has thrown his pen not
the King of the George Cross and on his desk to become the hero warrant wholesale the George Medal for civilian val- of some permission for the return our crystallises, and lends
bomb-created tragedy; em- women have left their kitchens of those already evacuat-expressible admiration for those death to save a trapped unknown; shown in Cyprus.
phasis to the entire Empire's in- to race into the very jaws.
But, during the present war af consideable public spirit has been break the
In short, Italy may long to ed.
who, in their homes and in their men, the ordinary
British. control of men of the
Gibraltar, Malta, accustomed streets, have met and factory and the
Cyprus and field and
thej.
Aden, but, such is the spirit that Abandonment of com-horror of Hitler's bestial air war.
conquered the "terror and.
the shop, have grappled with death the number of volunteers who are public as well as the official spirit,
This has been exemplified by actuates the four in its most sinister and stealthy serving or training
colonies, the pulsion does, however, ad- These new symbols of the forms. *
for service that at the end of this ordeal by mit some modification of courage and devotion of the
with the British armies, and by fire the world will see whose ton- Each day brings a catalogue of generous foresight. Cyprus is no gue is really burned. the situation since. the dinary people of Britain the such deeds, but even then we are
easy. prey. for any.. invader. issue of the original order. wear no livery of war, for whom cord. Words are hopelessly in- people who shoulder no gun, who far from having a complete re-. Proceeding from that there is no martial pomp or glory adequate to tell the story of the about them the world with breathless admiration cult to make out an argu- aura of shining deeds. That the and envy. ment for relaxation of the the Victoria Cross; the world's George Cross, should rank next
This is the story that will be frigid attitude displayed greatest badge of high courage, graven on every. George Cross at Evacuation Advisory is fitting.
and George Medal. It will not be there in words, nor will de-. Committee towards hard- Day by day, since Hitler laun- sign capture all the splendid im- ship cases. The case for populations at the Empire's heart, subtle alchemy, it will be incor- ched his air hordes on civilian plication of the symbol, but, by a the return of "childless" fresh and astounding tales of gal-porated in the fabric of the de women capable of render-lantry have reached us, such tales corations, themselves, living and
as challenge those who, in this indestructible. ing useful service has al-time of trial, have den- ways been strong. It would led the novility of man and the seem now to have gained such weight as to put
point, it would not be diffi- have already
in the grim parade of battle mass heroism that is, filling
purpose of his creation.
lives in the tranquility of some People who have passed their
the
It is fitting that the new decora tions should bear the name of a King whose own heroism and self- lessness have been a pattern and
1914-18 war was practically im- The island, (which during the mune from attack), has consider-
fortune that bound up their lot
It will see these colonies proudly than ever cherishing the with that of the British Empire.
"No Reason
To Regret"
Mr Churchill's speeches,
evened. "and then added, amidst
an inspiration to his people. They when received in curtailed form, loud, cheering: "Surveying the even the Advisory Com-old English village, or have gone will be an imperishable badge of never fail to inspire confidence, whole scene, alike in its splend- mittee on the defensive. their workaday ways in the cn- the courage of not only those to put his address to the House of our and in its devastation, Iseo
veloping anonymity of city whom they are awarded, but to crowds, have suddenly emerged those others whose deeds have Commons on Tuesday was per- no reason to regret that. Hitler to greatness as glowing symbols not been reported.
haps the most hopeful of them has tried to break the British They will recall always
all. Mr. Churchill is refreshing- spirit by blind bombing of our that monarch, who, when a humble ly frank in his statements; when cities and our countryside.” subject called-you are a Great he cannot give full particulars of King," could find it in his heart any situation he informs his list-
It is a rare occasion when
AMERICA SPEAKS.
of the spirit that has. made, and that will keep, Britain the custo- dian of the liberties of man,
are a great people."
a
can declare
President Roosevelt is – to stay at the White House. Not for many a world struggle now en-with gratitude and humility, "you lossss to tell he does not screen amidst cheers, that he "can see no
to answer, in a voice trembling eners the reason why; if he has leader of a nation long day have we had bet-gaged. The President has
the disagreeable facts with vague reason to regret" the air raids ter news. It means much received a clear mandate It was the perfect exemplar of phrases.
which were intended not only to more than a victory for to spare nothing in efforts the relation between the British
Throne and the British race.
break down the spirit of the na- It the Democrats over the to aid Britain, to with- was a cameo of mutual affection. ter's statements, the man in the cities and to bring the people to
· After reading the Prime Minis- tion, but also to devastate their The two simple phrases will Republicans, or of Roose- draw nothing of the "big"
utterly velt over Willkie. Its true stick" tactics in the Far-inse and studied have perished all the vital points of the posi; has, on the contrary, as Mr. Chur-
live on when others more grand-street. feels that he has been told their knees. Hitler has
failed to do these things. He meaning can more readily East. This in spite of the from the mind of man.
tion as fully as prudence will al- chill bas shown, knit the country be discerned in the dis-immense prejudice All these things are there-in low.
into a more solidly united block the George Cross and the George
than ever before known. comfiture and displeasure against third-term can-
Medal. the election result must didacy.
On Tuesday, Mr. Churchill cov- What an out-
These decorations have cause in the aggressor standing victory, what a been created to stimulate gallan- told the House what might be not ered the whole ground fully. and countries of this world of demonstration of national try, for there is no need for such chaos.
The first bomb. in London regis- tered Germany's defeat and every succeeding bomb has given strength to the power which he
Bricks and mortar no longer and as Mr. Churchill 'pointed out, its greatest count in the gigantic struggle
the destruction of property can be covered by the insurance scheme which was inaugurated recently.
unanimity in support, British people springs from two est points in the country's arm
stimulation. The heroism of the expected in the future; the weak- is trying to break. would have been achieved | scurces their own devotion to
as well as their fellows and to their coun- | our The margin of victory but for that one weakness try, and their own resolve to de- strength. His optimism is con- will, incidentally, give the in the President's posi- feat, at whatever cost to them- President the liveliest en-tion, can only be conjector Nazism.
tageous, and inspiring. selves, the monstrous emissaries
Speaking of German air, raids, couragement in pursuit ured. of the policy he has map- Now that the majority their Sovereign with
Bound to their country and the British leader was able to tica mora say "the cities of Britain are still
It is something greater in the ped out for himself in the of the nation has willed lasting than steel and more pro-standing
our people are could not understand. As
people of London, which Hitler. cious than gold, they will go on
the last few months. The fig-the third term, it can to new heights. Those who, in going about their tasks with the King admiringly said, when visit ures exceeded the expecta- safely be predicted that their arduous ways, will win the utmost activity
very little ing some of the homeless In East tions of his most optimis- the remainder will rally gard the honour selfishly.
Cross or the Medal will not re damage has been done to muni- ple. It is this quality which London,--'You are a great peo- tic supporters. They tell a round him with the grace
tions and aircraft production...rises to its sublimest heights when They will know that while those none of the services
threatened by, aggression and sup. water, really remarkable story and good will that mark-symbols, may bear, their name as fuel, electricity, gas and sewer-pression quality which co- of the depth of America's ed Mr. McNary's speech the valour, not of the one, but of ege has broken down. Shelters aise and which must spelt disus- Individuals, they are badges of
ler has utterly failed to recog- interest in the colossal conceding the victory. the race,.
aro being multiplied and improv-lter, to all his hopes.
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