A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 191, 9 May 1940, Page 10

A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

In the dignified atmosphere of the House of Commons on what has been described as the most important Parliamentary occasion since the outbreak of war, representatives of the British people are thrashing out the rights and wrongs of the Government s actions in relation to the failure of the Allied attempt to take Trondheim.

In justifying the Government’s steps, Mr. Chamberlain and the Secretary for War, Mr. Stanley, seem to have brought out few facts not hitherto known. The Government felt that it could not resist Norway's appeal for help to organize resistance and Mr. Chamberlain laid the failure of the expedition to inability to secure aerodromes for fighter planes and the unexpectedly rapid arrival of German reinforcements. He revealed that the enemy- air attacks affected communications heavily, appealed for unity in Britain and, like Mr. Stanley, warned that the need to be prepared for sudden attacks in more vital places made it inadvisable to expend too many resources in Norway.

Subsequent speeches by Opposition leaders and back-bench Conservatives were all critical in greater or less degree, with emphasis on the fact that the people of Britain realized the magnitude of their task and were prepared for any sacrifice, but demanded swift and efficient direction of the war effort.

The Labour Party’s leader claimed different people were needed at the helm, and Sir Archibald Sinclair, on behalf of the Liberals, urged that a stronger and more ruthless will to victory was iequited. Admiral Sir Roger Keyes argued that a bold naval stroke at the .right moment would have captured the key-town of I rondheim, and Mr. L. C. M. S. Amery urged in effect the establishment of a small War Cabinet, a view to which Mr. Chamberlain had altcady said that he had not been converted.

The debate is not vet finished, and Mr. Winston Chut chill and Sir Samuel Hoare have still to speak, but present indications in Press comment are that the Government has not satisfied its clitics. One new factor in the situation is that Mr. Churchills powets have again been widened. Germany admits that British and French pressure at Narvik has increased. . . Tension in south-eastern Europe continues. Yugoslavia is feverishly preparing to defend herself, and from Rome it has been reported that Italy has been asked by Britain to define her exact position by May 16. This is officially denied in London, however. Something seems also to have alarmed the Dutch, resulting in the most extensive precautions yet. One suggestion is that German troop concentrations on her frontier and reports of prepaiations for another expedition by sea have led to a fear that the Nazis might attempt a landing on the Dutch coast. Proving that New Zealanders are still taking a notable part in R.A.F. operations, a crew from this country has just completed a 2000-milc reconnaissance flight, the longest of the war to date.