Wish Come True

Although for many months the people of Britain have wished for a U.S. declaration of war on the Axis, last week Britons began to realize that total war on the planet meant totally new problems.

When the first news of the U.S.Japanese war came to Britain, the London Times mumbled gloomily: "Germany's chief expectation of gain from the new phase of the war would seem to lie in a diminution of supplies to, a postponement of active American participation in, European and African theaters, and an unhindered seizure of fresh bases facing the Atlantic and South America."

Next day the Times, and Britons in general, were much relieved. President Roosevelt's radio talk (see p. 9) left no doubt that the U.S. considered itself fighting no private war, but had taken its place on the World War front.

Speaking to Parliament, Winston Churchill minced no words as he reviewed the war. Of the Repulse and the Prince of Wales, he said: "In my whole experience I do not remember any naval blow so heavy or so painful." Of the Libyan offensive (see p. 26): "[It] did not take the course that the authors expected--though it will reach the end at which they aimed." Of the reduction in U.S. aid: "The gap must be filled, and only our own efforts will fill it."

As the U.S. went to war with the rest of the Axis, no one could tell how great the gap would be. But by week's end the British Government had already made moves to fill it, had tacked an additional $2,000,000,000 on its war budget, had announced that building and engineering industries would go on a seven-day, 50-hour week.

Sharpest summation of Britain's mixed emotion over the war's new turn appeared in Punch. In an imaginary dialogue (presumably written before the Japanese attack) mop-headed M.P.-Humorist Alan Patrick Herbert somewhat sourly discussed a mythical All-Aid-to-America Association.

"Sooner or later America will be at war with Japan. And the moment she is the same people will start the same yap, I bet you."

"Sorry. Which people? Which yap?"

"The people who are so busy yapping 'More aid for Russia! Send 'em all the tanks we've got.'"

"I don't. I say, 'Keep 'em here and invade Europe.' "

"All right. But they say both. Well, this time it will be 'plucky little America is fighting your battles. What are all your battleships doing, messing about in the Atlantic and Mediterranean? Send them through the Panama Canal and show you're not a man of Munich.' "

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.