1940-11-07 — Page 7

War

able surprises for any who would attempt to take it, and it would not be difficult to reinforce it from Western Asia Africa.

si

or North

Aden Guards The Gates high-spirited; its ar British servicemen whenever than the more westerly Meditor- But if Cyprus is less known to groups of islands that constitutes Protectorate of Aden

little ranean colonies, the Colony and are the least known of all, Many travel- men and the citizen too,

In the war Maltese artillery- Aden, have sten its famous tanks, lers have stopped a few hours at

discipline in the many Italian air-dries in the fountain-pen for holding shown remarkable courage

have have heard stories of how in the and summer months there the in raids..

These are Gibraltar. Aden, Mal-stores are plentiful; it has civilian problem over, which worry. That it would, in a war Malta. which is largely to be fought in the air, be extensively used as a but it will be held, naval base, is improbable enough; it bars the western gate of the

ing the policy of compul-ta and Cyprus. sory evacuation on in-

That all these four territories structions: from the Sec-are prepared for any eventuality retary of State, will by no ver, has proud traditions of hav- is certain. Each of them, more means terminate the con- ing been unsuccessfully besieged. troversy.

་

Middle Sea against Italy.

have gladly passed on."

and

In past centuries the odd's against the Maltese

Yet Aden is a remarkable place, have some-which, incidentally, has been pul- times been achieved by Maltese civilians.

terrific, and have been the deeds of heroism during the last few years. Politi- many sating with new life and direction cal and social work has been

I done there, under the guidance of

The sieges which Gibraltar, in particular, has endured, are his- Those who have not toric, and its other name of "The

Malta Will Resist Rock," is as much tribute, to the gone are now permitted way in which,

Malta, which, ever since

pace vociferous -to stay, upon their own British captured it in 1704, it has has a long tradition of having no the claims, never has been Italian, successively repelled the would- non-combatants in time of war. responsibility. Those who he invader, as to its physical pro- have been sent away, how-perties.

There is in Malta, The Maltese, as proud of their Maltese language, something

as in the the sympathetic Governor, Sir ever, will not, in general,

distinctive character as

of Bernard Reilly, which can com- To-day, Gibraltar is ready for of

they are Asia as well as of Europe, and it pare with the results of Anglo- their be permitted to return. anything. Its garrison

distinctive is com- glory in cooperating with regul- understands the Oriental as well

language, may be that only a Power which Arab cooperation anywhere. In that decision there

as the Occidental mentality must inevitably

bring out the best in the brave source of the deepest dis-

and lovable Maltese people. satisfaction.

lie a

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

A Commonalty Of Courage

and

can

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.

Less known than the fortresses of Gibraltar, and Malta is Cyprus, which, though inhabited predom- Italians. inantly by Greek-speaking peo-novelty to this region. ple, is part of Asia, not of Europe, With this island, thirty times the size of Malta, thoughts of war accord ill. Its classical loveliness, and the peaceable, leisurely philo- sophy of the inhabitants belong to kindlier things.

Aden has been bombed by the But warfare is no

war

But during the present of consideable public spirit has been

the

the

the

taliatory weapons. Together with It has at its disposal sharp re- the British African territories, Aden will doubtless see to it that the Southern Mediterranean brings no favours entrance to the to Italy.

more

does The institution by His Majesty The clerk has thrown his pen not warrant wholesale the George Medal for civilian val- of some

the King of the George Cross and on his desk to become the hero permission for the return our crystallises, and

bomb-created tragedy; lends 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

break ed.

In short, Italy may long, to who, in their homes and in their men, the ordinary men of

the British control of accustomed streets, have met and factory and the

Gibraltar, Malta, Abandonment of com-horror of Hitler's bestial air war. in its most sinister and stealthy serving or training

feld conquered the terror

Cyprus and and

the shop, have grappled with death the number of volunteers who are public as well as the official spirit,

This has been

Aden, but, such is the spirit that exemplified by actuates the four colonies, the pulsion does, however, ad- These new symbols of the forms. mit some modification of courage and devotion of the

for with the British armies and

service that at the end of this ordeal by the situation since the dinary

by fire the world will see whese ton- 01'- Each day brings a catalogue of benerous foresight, Cyprus is no gue is really burned. people of Britain the such deeds, but even then we are easy prey for any invader. issue of the original order. people who shoulder no gun, who far from having a complete re-

wear no livery of war, for whom cord. Proceeding from

It will see these colonies that there is no martial pomp or glory adequate to tell the story of the mune from attack), has consider- with that of the British Empire.

Words are hopelessly in-

The island, (which during the proudly than ever cherishing the 1914-18 war was practically im- fortune that bound up their lot. point, it would not be diff in the grim parade of battle mass heroism that is filling

have already cult to make out an argu aura of shining deeds. That the and envy.

the world with breathless admiration ment for relaxation of the George Cross should rank next the Victoria Cross, the world's frigid attitude displayed greatest badge of high courage, graven on every George

This is the story that will be Cross at Evacuation Advisory is fitting.

and George Medal. It will not Committee towards hard-

be there in words, nor will de- 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 ing useful service has al time

this indestructible. of trial, have den- ways been strong. It would ied the novility of man and the seem now to have gained purpose of his creation,

about them

It is fitting that the new decora- tions should bear the name of a King whose own heroism and self-

"No Reason

To

Regret"

Mr Churchill's speeches, evenjed

"and then added, amidst "Surveying the

such weight as to put lives in the tranquility of some an inspiration to his people. They when received in curtailed form, loud cheering:

People who have passed their lessness have been a pattern and

AMERICA SPEAKS

President Roosevelt is

to stay at the White

of the spirit that has made, and that will keep,. Britain the custo~1 dian of the liberties of man,

en-

House. Not for many a world struggle now long day have we had bet-gaged. The President has ter news. It means much received a clear mandatel

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 en-the courage of not only those to but his address to the House of our and in its devastation, I see

veloping anonymity. of citywhom 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 a to answer, in a voice, trembling with gratitude and humility, "you losses, to tell he does not screen amidst cheers, that he "can see no eners the reason why; if he has leader of a nation can declare are a great people."

the disagreeable facts with vague reason to regret" the air raids It was the perfect exemplar of phrases.

which were intended not only to more than a victory for to spare nothing in efforts Throne and the British race,

the relation between the British 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 break down the spirit of the na- After reading the Prime Minis- tion, but also to devastate their Republicans, or of Roose- draw nothing of the "big live on when others more grand-street feels that he has been told their knees. Hitler has utterly

The two simple phrases will velt over Willkie. Its true stick" tactics in the Far-inse and studied, have

failed to do these things. He perished all the vital points of the posi- has, on the contrary, as Mr. Chur- meaning can more readily East. This in spite of the from the mind: of man.

tion as fully as prudente will al- chill has shown, knit the country be discerned in the dis-immense prejudice All these things are there-in low.

into a more solidly united block comfiture and displeasure against third-term can- Med

the George Cross and the Georget

than ever before known. the election result must didacy. What an out-

On Tuesday, Mr. Churchill cov- The first bomb in London regis- cause in the aggressor standing victory, what a been created to stimulate gallan-

These decorations have not ered the whole ground fully and tered Germany's defeat and every

succeeding bomb has countries of this world of demonstration of national try, for there is no need for such told the House what might be strength to the power which be chaos.

unanimity in support, British people springs from two

stimulation. The heroism of the expected in the future; the weak-is trying to break. would have been achieved sources their own devotion to est points in the country's arms Bricks, and mortar

no longer The margin of victory but for that one weakness try, and their own resolve to de-strength. His optimism is con- and as Mr. Churchill pointed out, their fellows and to their coun-our as well as its greatest count in the gigantic struggle will, incidentally, give the in the President's posi-feat, at whatever cost to them tageous and inspiring..

the destruction of property can President the liveliest en- tion, can only be conjectat Nazism,

selves, the monstrous emissaries

libg covered by the insurance scheme which was inaugurated couragement in pursuit ured.

recently.

-

Speaking of German air raids,

of the policy he has map. Now that the majority their Sovereign with ties more say "the cities of Britain are still Bound. to their country and the British leader was able to

clous than gold, they will go on

It is something greater in the people of London which Hitler our people are could not understand. As the

ped out for himself in the of the nation has willed listing than steel and more pre-standing last few months. The fig- the third term, it can to new heights. Those who, in going about their tasks with the King admiringly sald, when visit- ures exceeded the expecta- safely be predicted that their arduous ways, will win the utmost petivity tions of his most optimis- the remainder will

Cross of the Medal will not re- damage has been done to muni- ple. It is this quality which very little ing some of the homeless in East

London, You are a great peo rally gard the honour selfishly, tic supporters. They tell a round him with

the grace

tions and aircraft production......... rises to its sublimest heights when really remarkable story and good will that mark-symbols may bear thelt name as tuol, electricity, gas and sewer-

They will know that while those none of the services water, threatened by aggression and sup

pressional quality which Hit.. of the depth of America's ed Mr. McNary's speech individuals, they are badges of

ler has utterly failed to recog- interest in the colossal conceding the victory.

Shelters nise and which must spell disas→ improv-ter to all his hopes.

the valour not of the one, but of age-lias broken down, the race.

are being multiplied and