ALLIED PUBLIC’S REACTION

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 187, 4 May 1940, Page 11

ALLIED PUBLIC’S REACTION

Press Interpretation NOT PLEASANT NEWS Queries On Campaign By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received May 3, 9.10 p.m.) LONDON, May 3. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says that undoubtedly Mr. Chamberlain’s statement has unpleasantly shocked French opinion. Scaremongers and defeatists are bound to seek profit from the admitted setback, but this is relatively unimportant. What matters is a growing impatience at the consistent

success of the long series of brutal Nazi initiatives.

The “Daily Mail” says: “For the first time the public begins to understand the truth about Norway. Certainly there has been a gross underestimate of the enemy’s ruthless power and enormous resources.” The “News Chronicle” says: “The nation will reflect deeply on the situation, which calls in question nothing less than the whole conduct of the war. Politically, we have suffered a major defeat.”

“The Times” says: “Apart from the evacuation, which the Admiralty organized, . several aspects of the Norwegian campaign demand an inquiry. “First, it has been long accepted that combined naval and military operations against a well-armed enemy are virtually impracticable unless very full support is available from the air force and anti-aircraft guns. “Secondly, despite the knowledge that the Germans were rehearsing embarkations we dispersed a force that had been assembled for Finland. “Thirdly, was time lost between the landing of naval detachments and troops? “Filially, was the well-calculated boldness of tlie Navy which was magnificently fruitful at Narvik given equal opportunities elsewhere?” (Received May 3, 10 p.m.) LONDON, May 3. The “Daily Herald,” in a leading article, says: “Satisfaction was the keynote of Mr. Chamberlain's speech, and similarly of speech after speech by Ministers since the outbreak of the war but tlie Prime Minister’s satisfaction will not soften the shock with which the British public has heard the news of the withdrawal.”