BRITISH SHIPS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 31, 6 February 1935, Page 13

BRITISH SHIPS

"ROT IN EVERY CREEK"

APATHY AND DEFEATISM

This is the traditional season of peace on earth and good will towards men. Yet we see Europe lying under the shadow of war clouds, and each nation living in a state of tension," says the New Year message of the Navy League to'the members of all its branches, and to the citizens of the British Empire

"We cannot suppose that the alarms of Europe.,-,do not affect-us, nor; can we pretend that there is peace in commerce when foreign- subsidies and discrimination are driving/our. merchantmen and, fishing fleet off "the seas, are leaving our ships to rot in every creek arid harbour of the world, and our seamen to despair on the dole. ,'

"It is without our power to ensure peace and good will to all men. But it is within our power to ensure it for our own: people.. It. cannot come by international gestures, by* apathy and defeatism,- \by fine phrases and weak action. Peace comes to the strong and good will from strength.' Peace will come only when our defences are sure and 'we are willing proudly, to sustain .them.

"When we have insisted and obtained that our merchant seamen and officers and our fishermen have ■• their 'full share of employment in, British trade carried in British ships, we will have shown good-will to and obtained it from a section -"of our people who wholly ..deserve it."

The-message is, sighed by Viscount Lymington, chairman of the league, and has appeared in "The Navy," the organ of the Navy League.