REVERSE NOT A DISASTER

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 191, 9 May 1940, Page 9

REVERSE NOT A DISASTER

War Minister’s Speech OTHER DANGER POINTS No False Optimism (British Official Wireless aud Press Assn.) LONDON, May 7. Concluding the day’s debate in the House of Commons on the conduct of the war, the Secretary of State for War, Mr. Stanley, said that the Government did nothing to encourage false optimism. “Norway is not the only point from which danger threatens,” he said. “Just because there has been little activity on the Western Front for some months it is unwise to assume that the greatest storm the world has seen may not occur there.” The dispersal of ships, he stated, was one cause of the Norwegian delay.

Mr. Stanley, answering criticism regarding the inability of the intelligence service to reveal German plans, said: “It was not easy to find out the plans of Germany. Yet we should have lost prestige if we had not tried to help Norway. At any rate, we made Germany pay a price. “It was impossible to ascertain potential aerial protection for the troops till we found whether aerodromes could be established. From the start Trondheim and Narvik were the only strategically important points open for us. “The casualties were substantial, but, in view of the nature of the operations. not unduly heavy.” Loss In Prestige. Mr. Stanley said he realized that all members had spoken with a due realization of the gravity of the position. It was absurd to exaggerate the reverse our arms had suffered and ridiculous to describe it as a disaster. At the same time it was equally dangerous .to minimize it and pretend that, though the loss in men and material was small, the loss in the other matters of prestige and morale might not have been great. Mr. Stanley paid a special tribute to the gallantry of two territorial battalions which arrived at the front to find the Norwegian troops exhausted after 14 days’ fighting and were left almost entirely alone to stem every advance until the arrival of a regular brigade. “I do not think there is anybody in this House, whatever position he occupies. who cares twopence whether he holds that position or not, so long as we achieve victory,” lie said. “It is for the House to judge whom they desire to occupy these positions. Those who criticize the present Administration, those who desire to turn it out, must lie prepared to take on the responsibility themselves.” Past Complacency. (Received May 8, 7.5 p.m.) Mr. Stanley, explaining the use of territorials, said -it was the intention that these troops should secure ports through which British and French regulars should be passed to form the spearhead in a subsequent attack. These units were fully equipped, but there was a shortage of tanks, guns and heavy anti-aircraft guns. Had it not been for the air bombardments these troops, reinforced and adequately gunned, could have maintained their positions for any length of time. We found air support quite impossible. Discussing the country’s mental attitude, Mr. Stanley said: “Members say that the Government lias been complacent. Is it only the Government which ought to share that charge? Have we all these eight months not tended to be complacent? (Opposition Noes.) Have we all faced up to Hie responsibilities?” Mr. Stanley urged that the people ' should make Hie necessary sacrifices.