1941-04-05 — Page 7

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THE CHINA MAIL, APRIL 5, 1941.

CHINA MAIL

WINDSOR HOUSE

BASES IN THE PACIFIC

In 1898 Captain (later Admiral) Chichester of the British Navy placed his ships between those of the United States and of a threat-

ening Germany in Manila Bay. He recognised the mutual interests i of Britons and Americans in the Far East. He made it practical- ly certain that if Germany fired on American warships the resul-

tant war

include

Britain.

would

Great

Other nations have been more

aware of these mutual interests

than have many laymen and some statesmen in Britain and the Unit-

ed States. The Axis has been so

acutely aware of them as to con- clude an alliance with Japan frankly as an attempt to Immo-

bilise the United States in the

present world crisis

The plan, far from succeeding, opened American eyes to the true

nature of the menace that Britain

is now fighting. Hence the recent vote in the House of Representa- tives, with only one dissenting voice, to strengthen the defences of Guam and Samoa. Americans can say, as the British used to, "We've got the ships, we've got the men, we've got the money. too." But they must stop to ask themselves: "Have we got the naval bases?" And the answer is "No."

There is Pearl Harbour. Some 6,000 miles westward lle the Philippines, where American res- ponsibilities will exist until 1946. But the United States' Pacific fleet -most of its Navy-is hampered by lack of bases. An agreement to provide joint Anglo-American use of Pacific bases would seem a logical remedy,

By sharing these bases with Britain, Americans could vastly increase the striking power of their Navy In the Pacific without building a single new ship. And the key base, of course, is Singa- pore.

ficient

upwards

Zater

FOREIGH TRADE

By "VIRTUE" OF MILITARY "NECESSITY.”

The Spirit Of

Britain

ter resources,

By Harold J. Laski

it becomes natural to him to un- dertake some service which needs to be done. I like to think that we are fighting in order that such men as he may get a square deal in this community of ours.

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Exactly when and how the at- side politics in the ordinary sense, whom Hitler has conquered shall tack is to come, we do not, of of the term. His energy was as have their lives defined for them course, know; that Hitler is com- remarkable as his determination from outside. What he hates is mitted to an attack seems clear to see things for himself. And he the cruelty of power. His wants from all the evidence. He is understood that resolution and committed to it by his need of a courage of ordinary people here be able to decide upon his wants. are few and simple, but he must, new victory; and he is committed in a way that they simply cannot He will serve gladly; but his mas- to it by his growing need of quick be understood unless they are ter must be of his own choosing. returns, The British effort, back- seen at first hand. I think Mr. There is in him a simple and ed by America, is beginning, as Hopkins and Mr. Willkie, both, inner dignity which comes only the African situation makes clear, would testify that there has not to those who have earned the to het into its stride; and delay been a year in British history right to self-respect. He does not Britain put

of in delivering the knock-out blow that has shown a finer spirit. The agree with you until he is sure is the one thing Hitler dare not common man feels that he has that he follows your argument. If £20,000,000 into the Singapore' risk.

become the symbol of world-he differs, there is always in the strong box. This investment I think I speak for all my fel- liberty. He can measure some expression of difference a kind- consisted of the world's third low-citizens when I say that we thing of what depends on him.liness, and a good-will that are. largest drydock, great machine await the outcome with con- Our American friends have seen of the essence of the tolerant shops, formidable batteries of tidence. It is not only

that that he will not fail in the task mind. In the village, he is the guns, air fields, oil stores suf- we are in possession of grea that is before him.

friend of ever vone and the enemy. It is not only,

It is, I think, of interest to illus- of none. He is the kind of man to supply a big naval

either, that our blows at Italy trate this spirit by one example who has that power of leadership squadron. To it have now been have shown that we are learning that moves me greatly. W.P. is which does not impose itself, is added a weight of British air the Important lessons of the the postman of the little village always humble, and does not en- power, to assure British control Polish and French campaigns. It in Essex where I live. He began joy the exercise of authority for He leads because of the air, and thousands of Aus- is, above all, the steeled hearts of life as a footman in the Great its own sake. tralian troops.

the civilian population, the new House; after the last war, in which self-respect that has emerged he lost an eye, he entered the Singapore will be well defend- from the battering of the last four postal service. There is no village months, that is the basis of our activity in this war of which he ed. But to be of maximum use- faith. That the attack will un- is not the centre. On three nights fulness in the present crisis it leash terror in all its forms none a week, he is air-raid warden in needs to acquire striking power. of us doubts. That there is no an area where German 'planes

W.P. likes to read, in a slow and That means ships. If the Navy terror which can break our spirit are continuously active. Its tiny succeeds "in "knocking out" Italy hone of us doubts either. We cottage houses two child evacuees somewhat shy way. A month or in the Mediterranean, we may

shall, of course, pay a heavy from East London who have so so ago I lent him a biography of have

price; but we

enchant-Lincoln, As a rule, he returns the some ships

all see the high- learned from him the to spare for Singapore. But the base was con- of the attempt at invasion.

road to victory on the other side ment of country life that nothing books he borrows with no more For would induce them to go home, than a curt phrase, But the life of structed as part of a strategy de- here is going to be the first over- Whist drives, lectures, dances, for Lincoln opened in him a fountain manding a two-power Navy. whelming failure of Hitler's plans: the adult evacuees, who find a of comment. "He was a rare man," and he cannot afford that failure. village eleven miles from the he said; "he knew what common Britain was planning such a We have been heartened, too, by nearest movie a difficult experi- folk were like inside." He had Navy when the Washington con- the friendliness of our visitors ende, these he organises in his never read before the Gettysburg ..ference was called.

from the United States. Mr. Hop- spare time. W.P. is not, in the speech, but I thought his phrase The agree kins and Mr. Willkie will have lettered sense, a cultivated per- for it was worth, a hundred more ments concluded left Singapore given. Americans a great account son, But if ever I met the tem- sophisticated utterances. Twere deficient in ships, just as Ameri- of the British temper. The wel- per of democratic citizenship he like chapter from Isaiah," he said can ships in the Pacific, unless co- come they received was profound, is its embodiment. He gives him- and he confessed that the Second operating with Britain, are de- To Mr. Hopkins everything had self with a spontaneity and good- Inaugural seemed to him like what he felt in church at a moment of ficient in bases.

been opened; it is not too much to will to the service of others in a to say that never has the mind way that makes respect for him deep religious experience, Should American worships

of the British Government been part of one's self-respect. so fully, revealed to a stranger. In the party sense, W.P. Is not turn up suddenly at Singapore, The British public took Mr. politically-minded; if anything, I they would represent as hard- Willkie to its heart from the mo- suspect that he votes conservative, headed a policy on the part of ment of his arrival. He would, of But I have met few people in this the United States Government to- course, have been welcome it only war who understand better than day as was that which Captain for the stand he has taken dur- he the real essence of the cause Chichester implemented for Bri-ing the campaign on the "Ald for for which we are fighting. He Britain" issue. But within a few comes of gouram, from that stout tain in 1998. But it can hardly be hours he made himself felt as a East Anglian tools which formed called a selláh policy when the person whose hold on American the backbone of New England. the Chinese to national opinion was quickly understood. Flla porbents have lived in our idence and

lghts of He did not stand on his älenity, vilice for four hundred years, ciple of his life. He is the

He was direct and simple and and they went out with Crom» for whose, surviva 14. nations..........in.

friendly. There was not a wrong well to Maraton Moor and Naseby. For on the preservat phrase, or a false steb, in his at for him what is centra

by the

the

Indent upon itë

W.P is not a unique person just now. He is the man who in every shelter and every street has res- ponded to the call of danger, whose spirit embodies, as nothing else embodies, the power that Hitler cannot break. And when he has given Britain the victory ne will win, no one will be able to persuade him and his kind to vengeance; respect, for other man beings is the cardinal

titude." "He kept above, and out", wür la that neither we for those + civilised

of

Fage

Avfficier quantity

of MILK daily Decessary For the maintenance of health & onere

DAILY

FARM MILK

is milk in its most beneficial form

DAIRY FA

It's Fresh from the Farm. Its still Fresh · when, you get it.

Pasteurised. CONCIE B Free. Every ben he saadua ly sealed.

THESE FACTS MAKE

DAIRY FARM MILK

1

THE VINEST

LIONG