The Complete Prose of T. S. Eliot: The Critical EditionVol. 6: The War Years, 1940-1946

The Speed of Progress

The New English Weekly, 17 (23 May 1940) 58

In a message from Rhyl which appeared in The Timesyesterday, it was stated that as a result of the Army Council’s decision to proceed with the scheme for taking over 40,000 acres of agricultural land in Breconshire for use as an artillery range, 280 farmers would have to vacate their farms in October. In fact, the War Office has intimated that it must take possession of the range on June 1, but it has decided that there would be no objection to farmers remaining in occupation and leaving their stock on the land until June 30. Firing must begin on July 1, and extension therefore cannot be allowed beyond that date.

( The Times) ² “The Times,” in a message from Rhyl, Remarked to the farmers: “Until     October thirty-first     Be prepared for the worst – Which will come by June first,                                                  so it will.”