Will There Be War In 1951?

WHAT’S the use of planning anything, if there is to be another World War?

Let’s wait and see the outcome, first.’

They are saying that in Suva and Rabaul, just as they are saying it in London, and Canberra and San Francisco. The deadly fear of another war has done much to paralyse normal trading, and put a cruel strain upon the lives of all people in the democratic nations.

Will there really be another World War? Your guess is as good as ours. But here are some facts, which the intelligent reader can interpret for himself. They are taken from a budget sent out from London on April 2 by one of the best informed agencies in the Western World.

The Moscow Communists are actively directing a world-wide conspiracy, the clear purpose of which is to destroy Wes tern civilisation, and impose Communism on the world. Russia and her satellites are more or less ready for war, and will go to war if (a) they believe they can win; or (b) they fear that their conspiracy, now far advanced, will be overthrown by the re-arming of the Democracies. The fol lowing facts have a bearing upon the trend of events in the immediate future: ATOMIC BOMBS—Until now. United States was far better equipped in this re gard than the Reds, and Russia conse quently has proceeded with caution. Now, owing to the treachery of certain scien tists, employed by Britain and USA, in selling information to Russia, Russia is overtaking the American lead in the atomic weapon. An intense race now is proceeding between USA and Russia to get an advantage in the use of the Hy drogen bomb and (newest development of all) the use of cosmic rays in making a much wider range of elements fission able. , SUBMARINES—Russia has been build ing large numbers of deep sea, trans

ocean submarines. Two years ago, it seemed that she could paralyse our ship ping, at an early date. Since then, USA and Britain have had remarkable success in perfecting anti-submarine devices. This, with the further fact that she is ex periencing serious difficulty in finding skilled personnel for her submarines, has discouraged Russia lately in her naval activities.

OIL SUPPLlES—Russia’s own resources of oil are not sufficient to give her essen tial supplies for a long war. She has elaborate plans for seizing the Middle East oilfields as soon as a world war com mences. Especially is she looking to Per sia, where Anglo-American interests have leased enormous oilfields. The recent assassination of the pro-British Persian premier, and the decision of the Persian Parliament to seize and nationalise the oilfi°lds. are the work of Russia (whose agents have honeycombed the country).

This is the most delicate situation in the world to-day. We dare not surrender our oil rights in Persia.

Chinese Communists—Under Rus

sian direction, the Chinese now are attacking us in Korea, Indo-China and Malaya; they are getting ready to pene trate Burma; and they believe they will have India and Indonesia under their in fluence within two years. Except that she can mass millions of men, China is of little military importance; but Russia is using her to cause us all possib l e embarrass ment as in Korea, Indo-China and Malaya.

RIVAL AIR FORCES—Even taking the atomic bomb into consideration, the ulti mate advantages would appear to lie with the nation that has the superior air force.

We believe that the advantage now lies with the Atlantic Powers (United States, Britain, and Western European countries).

But this now is all extremely hush-hush.

and facts are not available. Both sides have made great advances in new anti aircraft technique.

Fifth Column Technique—Com

munist emissaries of Russia are actively at work in the industrial and economic organisation of every non-Communist State, causing strikes, confusion, frustra tion and internal strife. This definitely is part of the plan of weakening the Wes tern countries, ready for the trial of strength. The Reds have had remarkable success in Prance and Italy.

Western Re-Armament—There Is

a lot of confusion and too much talk.

None the less, the Democracies now are actively and strongly re-arming. America, in this respect, has given an inspiring lead. Already, she is strong enough to resist any invader; and, as each day passes, her power to give armed assis tance to Western Europe increases.

BEST-INFORMED opinion is that, un der the present world-wide alignment of nations and forces, a struggle bet ween Communist and Democratic ideo logy is inevitable. But there is very wide divergence of opinion as to whether Russia will attack us in the northern summer of 1951, or will postpone the fight until she can get matters more to her liking in re lation to oil supplies, air-power and the organisation of Asiatic forces.

The outlook is gloomy, indeed. It would seem that our only hope of escaping World War 111 is acceptance of the threat, and for the Anglo-American nations to arm themselves as ranidly as thev can. They have all the facilities for hmdin<? the Muscovite gang in check and ultimately destroying it if only they will act strongly, and in unison. Thev are now doing what is necessary. But have they acted quickly enough? We shall know, soon. If we can get through 1951 without an attack by Russia, we may begin to hope.