Mr. Winston Churchill's review of the war situation which he gave on Tuesday in the House of Commons was a quiet, sober account of what has happened in the past, in which he balanced the advantages secured by Great Britain and her Allies against the reverses which have been sustained. These latter he did not seek to minimize. In June of last year Great Britain, as he remarked, was in a position which "looked forlorn and well-nigh desperate to all eyes but our own." The situation was indeed an alarming one, and Great Britain owes an enormous debt to Mr. Churchill for the manner in which he was able to inspire confidence, and determination in the hearts of the British, and those who still stood with them that the end had not yet come and would not come until defeat had been turned into success. The uphill task which had then to be undertaken is still a long way from completion, but progress has been made, and out of disaster has been plucked the prospect of eventual victory.
One of the features of the review is the manner in which Mr. Churchill emphasizes the extensive scope of British and Allied activities. Germany is encircled by a line of hostility probably the longest in history. Huge numbers of men and masses of material have had to be despatched to north Africa and the Near East. The comparatively"small force which was originally stationed in that area has been increased sevenfold, and the position in that theatre of war is such that the outcome of the vending struggle can be awaited with confidence that the Italians in Libya, even though they are reinforced by n troops, will again meet the same defeat which was administered to them last autumn. These men have to be equipped and maintained over thousands of miles of sea routes, and the fact that it has been done with comparatively little loss is in itself a striking commentary on the effectiveness of the enemy's sea campaign. Mastery of the seas is still Britain's as is so patently demon-stated.
There has been an improvement in the Battle of the Atlantic. To say that it has been won would be manifestly untrue, but all the evidence goes to show: that, though the Germans are reported to have more U-its at sea than ever before, hey are in-ing damage on a considerable reduced sale. With 2,000 shi 400 continually within thing will be brought about in this one. Mr. Churchill makes but a passing reference to the British and Allied air force. That is mounting in strength with increased acceleration. It is probable that, if Britain did not have to disperse her air force over so wide an area, actual numerical superiority- over Germany would by now have been obtained. The-speed with which all theatres of war have been served in this respect is the best promise that actual superiority in the air over Europe will not be delayed over long.
Mr. Churchill sums up the achievements of the past year with the statement that, whatever the future may contain, they are such as to earn the respect of history. A gigantic effort to mend Britain's fortunes which were then at so low an ebb has been successful. The Empire and its Allies stand stronger now than at any time since the commencement of the war. There is still more strength to come. There is a determination that when the opportunity offers, the enemy shall be made to feel the weight of the preparations which have been and still are being made. The debate which followed Mr. Churchill's speech showed a unanimity which of itself is highly significant. The House was as unexcited as a normal shareholders' meeting, with both sides of the chamber obviously firmly behind Mr. Churchill. It is possible, if the debate is continued, that there may be some criticism, but that the Prime Minister has the broad support of the whole of Parliament is indicated by the proceedings in both Houses.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.