Evening star., 1941-11-10

| cOnhded.
Since Lord Mayors Day last year
some great changes have taken
| place in our situation. Then We were
the sole champions Of freedom in
arms. Then We were ill-armed and
very much outnumbered even in the
air
/ Now a large part of the United
States Navy, as Col. Knox has told
us, is constantly in action against
the common foe. Now the valiant re-
sistance OF the Russian nation has
inflicted frightful injury upon Ger
man military power. And at the
present moment the German invad-
ing army, after their great losses
lie on the barren steppes exposed
to the approaching seventies of the
Russian winter.
Air Force Equals Nazis.
Now We have an air force which
is at least equal in size and num-
Der, not to speak of quality, 10 Ger
man air power.
Rather more than a year ago I
announced to Parliament We were
sending battle fleet back into the
Mediterranean with instructions to
destroy German and Italian con-
vovs-and the Admiralty brings us
today news Of the destruction of an
other Italian destroyer-and to in
sure passage Of our own supplies in
many directions through that sea.
The broken morale OF the Italian
Navy shows that we are still masters
there
Today I am able to 60 further
Owing to the effective help we are
getting from the United States in
the Atlantic, owing to the sinking
of the Bismarck, owing to the COM
pletion Of our splendid new battle
ships and aircraft carriers of the
largest size. as we'll as to the cour-
age of the Italian Navy already men
toned. I am able to 60 further and
announce to you here that We now
feel ourselves strong enough to pro-
vice a powerful naval force of heavy
SHIPS with its necessary and auxil-
larry vessels for services if needed
in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Declaration Within the Hour
Thus We stretch out the arm OF
brotherhood, of motherhood. to the
Australian and New Zealand peoples
and to the Indian people whose
troops already have been fighting
with so much distinction in the
Mediterranean theater
/ This movement of our naval forces
in conjunction with the United
States main feet may give a prac-
tical proof to all who have eyes to
see that the forces Of freedom and
democracy have by no means
reached the limit of their power
l must admit that having voted
for Japanese alliance nearly 40 years
ago, in 1902, and having always done
my very best to promote good re-
lations with the island empire of
Japan, and having always been
sentimental well-wisher of Japan,
an admirer of their many gifts and
qualities, I should view with keen
sorrow the opening Of conflict
between Japan and the English
speaking world.
The United States time -honored
interests in the Far East are we'll
known. They are doing their utmost
to find ways of preserving peace in
the Pacific. l do not know whether
their efforts will be successful; but
should they fail, take this occasion
to say-and it is my duty to say
it-that should the United States
become involved in war with Japan
a British declaration will follow
within the hour
Far East Preparations Made.
Viewing such somber scene as
dispassionately as possible, it would
seem very hazardous adventure for
the Japanese people to plunge quite
needlessly into a world struggle In
which they may we'll find themselves