Evening star., 1942-05-11

their customary steadfastness and
faithful courage.
So far. though not without some
loss both to supply ships and their
fully fought its way through and We
intend to persevere and fight 1t out
on this northern route to the ut
most of our strength.
Is there anything else we can do
to take the weight of Russia? We
are urged from many quarters TO
invade the continent of Europe and
so form second front.
Welcomes Aggressive
Spirit of Nation.
Naturally shall not disclose what
our intentions are but there is one
thing l will say. I welcome the
militant aggressive spirit of the Brit
ish nation so strongly shared across
the Atlantic Ocean. Is it not far
better that in the 32d month of this
hard war We should find this gen.
eral desire to come to the closest
grips with the enemy than that there
should be any signs of war weari-
ness?
This week two islands have been
in our minds. One is very large,
the other very small-Madagascar
and Malta.
We have found it necessary to
take precautions to prevent NADIA
gascar falling into enemy hands by
some dishonorable and feeble drift
ing or connivance by Vichy like that
which injured us so much in Indo-
China. 1t is three months since the
decision was taken and more than
two months since the expedition
left these shores.
First Task Was to Secure
Diego SuareZ HarbOr.
It's first task was to secure the
splendid harbor of Diego Suarez,
which, if it had fallen into japanese
hands, might have paralyzed all
our communications with India and
the Middle East. While troops were
on the sea I must tell you I felt
a shiver every time saw the word
Madagascar" in the newspapers.
All these articles with diagrams and
measured maps showing how very
important it was for us to take
Madagascar and forestau Japanese
| and be first for once, filled me with
apprehension.
There was no question of leakage
or breach of confidence.
AS they say, great minds think
alike but shrewd surmise may be
as dangerous as leakage, and it was
| with considerable relief that I
learned that the difficulties of our
soldiers and their losses had not
been aggravated and that the op-
Grafton had been swiftly and effec-
tually carried out.
We hold these places In trust for
that gallant France which we have
known and marched with and whose
restoration to her place among great
powers of the world is indispensable
to the future of Europe Madagas-
car rests under safeguard of the
United Nations. Vichy, in the grip
of the Germans, has been made to
bluster. The France that rose at
ST. Nazaire, and will one day rise
in indescribable fury against the
Nazis, understands.
Course Of War
Divided Into Chapters.
If we look back today over the
course of the war as 1t has so far
unfolded we can see that it seems
to divide itself into four very clearly
defined chapters.
The first ended with the over
running by the Nazis of Western
Europe and the fall of France.
The second chapter, Britain alone,
ended with Hitlers attack upon
Russia.
would call the third chapter
which then began "The Russian
Glory" May it long continue.
The fourth chapter opened at
Pearl Harbor when pi1e military
party in Japan treacherousIy at
tackled the United States and Great
Britain in the Far East. That Is
where We are now.
The aggression of Italy in 1910 had
carried war from Europe to Africa.
The aggression of Japan has in
volved all Asia and in one way or
| another has drawn in or wiz draw
in the whole of the American con-
tinent. Thus the struggle has be-
come world wide and the fate of all
states and nations and their future
| is at stake.
This latest chapter of universal
war" confronts US with MANY diff
ficulties and immense complications.
But is there any thoughtful, sensible
person who cannot see how vastly
and deciSively awful balances have
turned to the advantage of the cause
of freedom?
The japanese. taking advantage
OF fact that United States had
striven for so long to keep the
peace, have seized more easily and
more quickly than they expected
their lands of booty and desire in
the East Indian archipelago.
Henceforth they will find resist
ance stiffening on all their widely
spread fronts.
Can Ill Afford Losses
Like Those in Coral Seas.
They can i'll afford losses such as
those they have sustained in the
naval action of the Coral Seas. So
far We have no detailed account
bit IL nnlv frnnn the 1inr tho Ian