Evening star., 1941-04-09

OF Commons for q resolution OF
thanks to the forces in field and
7DorkerS at home, then proceed
ed Nth his iCar reUie1U as tollolUS:
We are now able. and indeed re-
ouired, to take more general view
of the war than when this resolu-
ton of thanks was first conceived
The loss of Bengasi and the with
drawal imposed upon us by the
German incursion into Cirenaica
: are injurious chiefly on account OF
the valuable airfields around Ben
gasi which have now passed into
enemy hands.
Apart from this important as
pect we should have been content,
in view of the danger which was
growing in the Balkans, to have
halted our original advance at To-
bruk.
The rout of the Italians, however,
made it possible to gain good deal
of ground easily and cheaply and
it was thought worthwhile to do
this. although in consequence OF
other obligations, already beginning
to descend upon us, only compare
lively light forces could be en-
ployed to hold what we had won.
The movement of German air
forces and armored troops from
Italy and Sicily to Tripoli had be-
gun even before we took Bengasl
and our submarines and aircraft
have taken a steady toll of the trans
ports carrying the German troops
and vehicles.
Expects Hard Fight
For Defense of Egypt.
But that has not prevented. ana
could not prevent, their building
I'D a strong armored force on the
African shore.
With this force they have made
a rapid attack on greater strength
than our commanders expected at
so early a date and we have fallen
back upon stronger positions and
more defensible country.
I cannot attempt to forecast what
the course of the fighting in Cire-
naica will be. 1t is clear, however,
that military considerations alone
must guide our generals, and that
these must not in any way be COM
plicated by what are called prestige
values or considerations for public
opinion.
Now that the Germans are using
their armored strength in Cirenalca
we must expect hard aand severe
fighting, not only for the defense
of Cirenaica but for the defense OF
Egypt.
1t is fortunate that the italian
collapse in Eritrea, Ethiopia and
British and Italian Somaliland Is
liberating progressively very sub
stantial forces and masses of trans
port to reinforce the army OF the
Nile.
This sudden darkening OF the
scene in Cirenaica in no way de-
tracts from the merits OF the bril-
liant campaigns which have de-
stroyed the Italian empire IN North
East Africa.
Nor does it diminish our gratitude
to the troops or our commence IN
the commanders who led them. On
the contrary, we shall show that our
hearts 60 out to our armies even
more warmly when they are in hard
action than when they are sailing
forward in the flowing tide OF
success.
Power of Italian
Fleet Is Broken.
A fortnight ago I warned the
public that an unbroken contlnu-
ance oil success could not be hoped
for. that reverses as well as victories
must be expected; that we must be
ready, as indeed we always are
ready. to take the rough with the
smooth.
Since I used this language other
notable episodes have been ADDED
to those that had gone before.
Cheren was stormed after hard
fighting which cost us about 4,oOo
casualties.
The main resistance of the Italian
army in Eritrea was overcome.
Foremost in all this fighting IN
Eritrea were our Indian troops,
who at all points and on all oc-
cassions sustained the martial repu-
tation of the sons of Hindustan.
After the fall of Cheren the army
Asmara has surrendered,
the post of MaSSaua is in our hanoS.
The Red Sea has been virtually
cleared of enemy warships, which
is matter of considerable and
even far reaching convenience.
Harar has fallen and our troops have
entered and taken charge of Adds
Ababa.
The Duke of Aosta's army has
retreated into the mountains where
1t is being attended upon by the
patriot forces of Ethiopia. The
destruction or capture of
all Italian forces in Abyssinia with
corresponding immediate relief to
our operations elsewhere, may be
reasonably expected.
Besides these land operations the
Royal Navy under Admiral Cunning
ham, splendidly aided by the fleet
air arm and the R. A F., have
gained the important sea battle of
Matapan - decisively eaking
italian naval power in the Mediter-
ranean.
Growing Concern
Over Balkan Setup.
When we look back upon the for
lorn position in which we were left
in the Middle East by the French
collapse, and when we remember
that not only were our forces in the
Nile Valley outnumbered by four or
five to one by the Italian armies,
that we could not contemplate with
out anxiety the defense of Nairobi
of Kartoum of Cairo, Alexandra,
Jerusalem and the Suez Canal, and
that this situation has been marvel
ously transformed; that we have
taken more italian prisoners than
we had troops in the country, that
the British Empire has fought alone
and conquered alone except for the
aid of the gallant Free French and
Belgian forces who, although few in
l. Nl1@ re1.t n NaNr