A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 192, 10 May 1940, Page 10

A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

From the debate on the conduct of the war, with particularreference to Norway, the British Government emerged with a majority of 81, not nearly as big as it would norma ly command The total number of votes recorded was 134 short of the number of members of the House of. Commons. Some arc on active service, some were not in the House. Because of the numerical superiority of Government supporters, a majority of the absentees may be assumed to belong to the Government side of the House. On the other hand, 44 Government supporters voted against the motion. It now remains to be seen what to (hi. The “Daily Mail” reports that he is to discuss the Government s position with the King, but this is so far unsubstantiated from anj other source. The Press flunks a strengthening of the Government is called for and there is expectation that the debate will have some sort of sequel. The second (lav of the debate was notable lor a typically fortiiri'dit speech from'Mr. Churchill, who placed the strategical and tactical considerations of the Norwegian campaign clearly belore the House. He vigorously denied that any lack of courage on the part of the War Cabinet hampered more aggressive military strokes, disposed of German claims about naval losses by giving the tine figures and issued a stirring appeal that all the ability and foicc of the nation be thrown into the struggle. Both he and Boid Litdwood, in the face ol recent criticism about over-optimistic speeches, declared their continued belief that Germany would ultimately be the loser in her venture into Norway. From Sir Samuel Iloare’s speech it was possible to icalize the gallantry of the K.A.F. working against heavy odds and. as the need for greater air power by Britain was strongly stressed, jt was reassuring that Sir Samuel was able to say that last months air-? craft production was easily the heaviest yet. Outspoken criticism of the Government was heard Hom seyeial speakers, notable Hr. Lloyd George and Mr. Herbert Morrison. Again the debate strikingly showed that one consideration onlyinsistence on the most vigorous prosecution of the war -dominated the thoughts of all. Snowstorms still delay operations round Narvik, where one report has it that the Germans are suffering from a serious shortage of food. It is also stated that elsewhere Norwegian guerrillas arc inflicting heavy losses to the enemy. Signor Gayda, generally regarded as spokesman for Signor Mussolini, has poured oil on some of the troubled waters in that part of the world by saying that Italy intends to remain at peace with Balkan States, and Greece is said to have received assurances that her neutrality' will be infringed by' neither Italy nor Britain. It is reported from Hungary that Britain has offered aid if Germany desires to send troops through that country, and has been told that the Hungarian attitude to any such German request would be dictated 'by circumstances. A British diplomat has been having long conferences in Bulgaria.