1941-09-12 — Page 39

THE CHINA MAIL, SEPTEMBER 12, 1941.

CHINA MAILL

WINDSOR HOUSE

MR. CHURCHILL LEADS

Although Mr. Churchill gave a full recital of the relevant facts to any esti- mate of the war situation to-day, he maintained the tone of warning against complacency that has marked all recent minis- terial speeches. Since this war began, the people of Britain have shown them- Selves to be a singular people; they are inspired to action by bad news and they seem positively to flourish on reverses. In recent weeks, as the Prime Minister himself was com- pelled to admit, the news has been consistently good. In the Middle East, 'which Lord Moyne indi- cated was officially re- garded as Hitler's ulcer, our position has improv- ed beyond all recognition in twelve short months. We can say more confid- ently to-day than ever be- fore, thanks to Russia's intervention, and to the

SPEECH

NOT YET THE TIME TO CHEER.

Yeter

Fateful Decision

sca

It is not necessary to explain to pied territory causes the Dutch in army, and thanks to British aid on gigantic scale and any intelligent Frenchman that the free world to think of sur- and alr-power in the Mediterran growing of the United America has a direct and vital in- rendering. Belgium is an occupied ean, and with the help of the very country, her King and her army substantial support which Ameri- the would give, States, that we

terest in the fate of the French are prisoners of war, her people ca could and are the

empire. The surrender of Indo- subject to all the indignities and French empire can in fact be de captain of our soul.

China has brought America to the reprisals of the Nazi conqueror. fended against Hitler. If it is not. But the Belgian empire overseas, defended, though Marshal Petain verge of war in the Pacific. The continues to be at war with Hit- is pledged to defend it, it will be Mr. Churchill, however. surrender of the African empire ler.

because the men of Vichy prefer, a Hitler victory to the independ insists upon the peril of would threaten the security of the

ence and the honour of France. premature exultation. Never a man to be daunt- ed. by gloomy tidings, a mighty whistler in the

|

There is nothing that Hitler can Western Hemisphere and enlarge do to Frenchmen which he can. very greatly the scope and the not do also to the Dutch and the Therefore, it would probable duration of the conflict Belgians.

never be possible to accept any explanation which said that Mar-

in the Atlantic.

For the surrender of northwest Africa would not only violate the

any

By Walter Lippmann

*

•

There are obviously Frenchmen who have staked everything on a Hitler victory. A man like Laval could hardly expect to sur- vive and prosper in a liberated France; as a matter of fact he knows and says that his own life: is forfeit if Hitler is defeated. Men in this position have not been in full-control-in-Vichy. The sure. render of Africa would place them in full control and all Frenchmen: who participated in the surrender the whole Vichy regime-would thereafter have as much reason to fear a Nazi defeat as Hitler

fication with the people The Netherlands are also occu-||| and their cause that it can pied territory and Dutch soldiers utter warnings against are also prisoners of war and the overconfidence in suocess: Dutch people on the Continent are

dark, he bids his country-solemn pledges of Marshal Petain, men beware of temptar thus, proving that the Vichy re- tions to optimism. Thegime is not to be trusted in

agreement or political, relation- contrast between this at ship, but it would contribute in- titude and that of the disputable proof that the Vichy German High Command, government had been captured by covering up its difficulties men who have invested their lives with promises of "“sensa.and, their. fortunes in a Nazi vic-shal Petain had to break not only: Goebbels or Himmler themselves. tory, Much; that Vichy has done the original alllance with Britain tional victories" to come has been explained on the ground but that he had also to violate his For in the eyes of true French- illuminates the gulf be-that Marshal Petain has a, noose own personal pledges to the world. men and of all the free peoples tween a regime which around his neck. But what was If Africa, is surrendered, it will they would have committed an

not be because there is no other unpardonable act of treachery. knows it cannot survive a done in Africa, can never be ex- choice but because there have

Thus they would, force France prevailed in Vichy the men who first into war against the allies failure and a Govern- plained in that way,

wish to help. Hitler win the, war. and friends of France, and then, ment so sure of its identi,

as the Nazi occupation begins to crumble under the impact of the world-wide coalition that has less reason now been formed their treachery. than there is at this moment for would inexorably provoke a civil war within France. For the the surrender of French Africa. A case can be made out for the sur liberation of France would; then render of Ingo-China on the require not merely the expulsion ground that there are no French of the Germans but also the forces there capable of resisting total destruction of the Vichy re Japan and that Britain and

gime. America did not deem it expedient. to make the occupation of Indos China a question of war and peace. But no such case can be made out for the surrender of Marshal Petain made e one tragic miscalculation a year ago when, believing that the war was over,

REMORSELESS

also at the mercy of the German army and of the Nazi party. Nev- ertheless the Dutch empire stands firm and nothing. Hitler threaten to do to the Dutch in the occur

There was never

Africa.

Hitler is the prisoner of his conquests. As the tories in other theatres gaoler of Europe, he has

have been so swift. When For with Germany engaged in the refused to fight on from Afri- proved that the Continent is not self-sufficient, and he cannot move like light the great Russian campaign Hit ca. The war was not over, and |ler's activity in the whole Meditt the forces aligned against Ger- he is therefore driven on ning his pace seems snailerranean basin has subsided. He many to-day are immensely and on by the remorseless like. His military feats is in no position to send motorfe greater than when he made his

ed divisions into Africa. He has erroneous decision. necessity of acquiring in the past force him to had to let the Italians languish in

Libya, he has had to stand by That error could be retrieved more territory in order to perform ever greater ex- and see the British reinforce to-day by adhering loyally to his sustain what he has. He ploits lest the legend of Malta for offensive operations own pledges. If the pledges are is likewise the victim of success blow up under the against the communications be broken, when the situation is.80. tween Italy and Africa. Against favourable to honouring them, his own military success. fatal pricks of doubt. For the resistance of the British fleet Marshal Petain will not only lose To-day, he is hard press the attacked to stand is a French fleet could contribute, the duration of the war but he alone; nat to speak of what the the French empire to Hitlor for ed to explain the relative form of victory, but for is not at the moment conceivable will prolong the war perhaps for slowness of the advance in the attacker to slow down that or cour the invasion of upon the bodies and deep misers

Hitler could land any consid-years-Infloting Infinite sufferin Russia, because his vic- is a form of defeat.

Africa. Thanks to the Russian upon the souls of his people.