SURVEY OF SITUATION

Evening Star, Issue 23371, 14 September 1939, Page 12

SURVEY OF SITUATION

STATEMENT BY MR CHAMBERLAIN TRIBUTE TO SPIRIT OF THE POLES (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 13. (Received September 14, at noon.) A statement on the international situation was made in the House of Commons this afternoon by Mr Chamberlain. He started by referring to the meeting of the Supreme War Council which he attended in France yesterday. The object of the meeting, ho said, was to make possible at the earliest stage in the war a direct and personal exchange of views. The present situation was fully examined, and measures to be taken in the immediate future were discussed. Further, meetings would bo arranged as and when necessary to ensure the closest possible co-operation between the two countries on all major aspects of the conduct of the war.

11 I am glad to be able to assure the House that the people of France and the people of Britain are alike determined, not. only to honour to the full their obligations to Poland, but also to put an end, once and for all, to the intolerable strain of living under the perpetual threat of Nazi aggression. Our French Allies are like ourselves —a peace-loving people—but they are as convinced as we are that there can be no peace until the menace of Hitlerism is removed.”

Mr Chamberlain referred to the present situation in the Empire and Europe and the theatres of war, and added: “ I cannot give the House details of all the measures of defence which have been adopted in the, overseas parts of the Empire, but, on behalf of the Government, I can say that both in military and civil spheres steps ■which in some cases are of a far-reach-ing nature have been taken. An increasing number of foreign States have declared their neutrality, but m no case has this led to any relaxation of the armed vigilance which characterises Europe. “ For the moment the eastern theatre of war is still the main centre of operations The Germans appear to be endeavouring to force a decision m this theatre before they are compelled to transfer formations to the west to meet the threat of Allied intervention. That these hopes have so far been frustrated is due to the indomitable spirit of the Poles.”

western

“ I„ the west the French have begun a methodical advance. Hitherto these operations have been local the object of straightening out the line mid gaining contact with the main enemy positions. This is an essential and important preliminary phase about which the French naturally are reticent and it is sufficient to say that it has been completely successful. Mr Chamberlain said it was true that British troops were already in trance, although they had not been in action, and he promised that when this happened all possible information would be issued. A number of Royal Air Force squadrons were now operating from French soil. “ Further successful reconnaissance flights over Germany have been carried out by the bomber command m this country, and much useful information has been gained in the course of these flights of activities behind the German frontier. Defensive patrols proceed continuously, and the fighter command remains in a state of instant readiness. The coastal command has continued to carry out extended reconnaissance, and anti-submarine patrols have carried out a number of attacks.” THE ROYAL NAVY. Speaking of sea activities; the Prime Minister said the auxiliary naval forces were now passing rapidly into service. “ The Fleet has been joined by three destroyers of the Polish navy, which have proved to be very efficient and are taking part in the strenuous life of our light forces. The main object of the British Navy must be, as in the last war, to. ensure the freedom and safety of the seas.” Mir Chamberlain referred to Germany’s 1917 submarine campaign, and added: “In the present war the German attack upon our merchant shipping, begun by an act of ruthlessness against a passenger ship, contrary to all the rules of maritime warfare and the convention that Germany herself signed, is being continued. A certain number of British merchant ships have been sunk, and our losses undoubtedly have been lomewhat severe. This is only what had to be expected for the reason that war came at the moment when large numbers of our merchantmen were scattered over the seven seas, moving under peace conditions.” NOT YET IN ACTION. The Premier said: “ Certain statements have been made to the effect that the British Expeditionary Force has already been engaged in France. These statements are not strictly accurate, and are principally the result of highly imaginative reports of foreign correspondents over activities we unfortunately have no control. Nevertheless, it is true that the British troops are already in France, though they have not been in action. When this happens information as full as the exigencies of the military situation permit will at once be issued.” CONVOY SYSTEM. The Premier went on to say: The Germans had placed their U boats and supply ships previous to the outbreak of war in the best strategic positions, and it is not surprising that some of our vessels have been caught and ear prised by the submarines before they were able to reach port. It is impossible to apply the convoy system while the many ships to he convoyed are still on the high seas. We, however, are pressing on with putting that system into force, and it is daily operating with ever-increasing efficiency. In the last war out of some 16,500 vessels

which were convoyed to and from this country on the Atlantic only 102, or ,G per cent., were sunk by submarine action while on convoy, but the convoy system was only applied in the summer of .1917, after we had been at war nearly three years. That is not the case to-day The convoy system is being applied immediately, and as soon as it is in full working order 1 Lave no reason to suppose that it will prove to be less decisive than it was 20 years ago. Meanwhile I can assure the House that submarines are being constantly attacked, and successes have been achieved. At the outbreak of the war the total German tonnage of ships at sea or in neutral or Allied ports, Baltic ports excepted, was in the neighbourhood of 1,105,000. Practically all that shipping has now been cleared off the high seas. Some has been captured and much of it has interned itself in neutral ports. Moreover, the supply to Germany of vital war materials carried under neutral flags has been and will be increasingly limited by the contraband control imposed by the power of our Fleet.” MINISTRY OF INFORMATION. After dealing with the organisation of the civil defence services in Britain Mr Chamberlain said he proposed to say a few words about the creation and work of the Ministry of Information, on which the Lord Privy Seal would make a detailed statement in due course. “ The work of the Ministry of Information,” The Premier proceeded, “ is the most difficult type of work that can be assigned to a Government department.” THE EMPIRE'S RESPONSE MESSAGES OF LOYALTY LONDON, September 13. (Received September 14, at 10 a.m.) The former Sheik Shargah has offered the King every assistance within his powers for victory. His Majesty has gratefully acknowledged messages of loyalty from Dominica, the Virgin Islands, the Barbados, Fiji, Gambia, the Windward Islands, the Bahamas, British Guiana, and Mauritius. ANGLO-FRENCH CO-OPERATION SIR JOHN SIMON'S MESSAGE TO M, REYNAUD LONDON, September 13. (Received September 14, at 12.30 p.m.) Sir John Simon has sent the following message to M. Reynand (French Minister of Finance) :—“ The Chancellor of the Exchequer sends his personal wishes to the French Minister of Finance, and shares with him the determination to maintain the absolutely intimate and efficacious co-operation of the two treasuries in order to _end the struggle in which we are engaged.” GIFTS TO BRITAIN INDIAN PRINCES’ LOYALTY LONDON. September 13. (Received September 14, at 12.5 p.m.) Britain has received numerous donations from Indian princes, notably the Maharaja of Morvi, amounting to £375,000. . CATHOLIC SUPPORT DEFENCE OF CHRISTIAN MORALITY 1 (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 13. (Received September 14, at 12.5 p.m.) A statement issued on behalf of the Council of the Catholic Union in Great Britain assures unqualified support in the war being waged in defence of the principles of natural justice and Christian morality. “In this struggle we are certain that the King’s Catholic subjects will worthily play their part,” it says. “ There is no hatred lor the German people, long kept deliberately in ignorance, but we feel that the policy of their rulers in pursuing rapacious aims bv violence nad mendacity must be resisted to the end by all who believe in the undying implications of the laws of God Further, we would express our deepest sympathy for the people of Christian Poland, who, despite their geographical disadvantage, are so gallantly resisting the criminal onslaught of a mighty Power, whose leaders are animated by the bitterest anti-Christian hatred and whose set determination is to extirpate Christianity in the minds of the young.” RESENTFUL VETERANS GERMAN LANDWEHR DRAFTS LONDON, September 13. (Received September 14, at 11 a.m.) A Ministry of Information counnuniquo states that Germany has already drafted men aged 41 to 55 belonging to the Landwehr class. These veterans are complaining that many younger men should be called up first. The Landwehr is a second-line class primarily intended for homeland defence. It corresponds to the French Territorial array. AUSTRALIAN DAIRY PRODUCE BRITISH PURCHASE PRICE ACCEPTED MELBOURNE, September 14. (Received September 14, at 11.55 a.m.) The prices offered by the British Government for the purchase of surplus butter and cheese manufactured in Australia in the period ending June 30 next have been accepted by the Australian Dairy Produce Board.

UNWAVERING LOYALTY MESSAGE FROM SHAN STATES (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 13. (Received September 14, at noon.) The chiefs of the Shan States in Northern Burma passed unanimous resolutions renewing expressions of their traditional and devoted loyalty to His Majesty and placing their services and resources unreservedly at His Majesty’s disposal "WALLS HAVE EARS!" WARNINGS' IN MILITARY DISTRICTS LONDON, September 13. (Received September 14, at noon.) A notice with the heading, “ Warning! Walls have ears! ” has been posted in all hotels in the Aldershot district. It states that information which might be of great value to the enemy is being discussed in hotels, public houses, bars, and meeting places, and that it is the duty of every citizen to refrain from discussing with friends and acquaintances any information such as movements of troops, numbers of troops, units, stations, and similar military information. All ranks are forbidden to discuss publicly or privately any matter concerning the military defence measures. Failure to comply with this warning will result in severe penalties. WHEAT GDMMANDEER COMPULSORY POOL IN AUSTRALIA CANBERRA, September 14. (Received September 14, at 11.55 a.m.). For the remainder of the war the whole of the Australian wheat crop will be purchased from the growers and marketed through a compulsory Federal Wheat Pool. The Commonwealth will immediately acquire all the wheat at present in Australia with the exception of that owned by the farmers and stored on their farms. SPIRIT OF ANZAC GABLE FROM AUSTRALIAN EX-SERVICEMEN [Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 14. The Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., Dominion president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, has received the following cable from Sir Gilbert Dyett, Federal president of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia in Melbourne: ‘‘Diggers of Australia deeply appreciate and reciprocate the sentiment of your welcome cablegram, and heartily agree with the expression of confidence in the unconquerable spirit of Anzac. Kindest regards.” FRENCH IMPROVE POSITIONS FIRST MAJOR AERIAL BATTLE PARIS, September 13. (Received September 14, at 2 p.m.) To-night’s war communique states: “ Our troops have improved the whole of their positions taken daring the last few days. The naval forces are taking vigorous action against submarines. Our air force activity has been reduced owing to bad weather.” This confirms the further substantial progress of the French pincer movement on the western front from west and- east of Saarbrucken. An earlier French staff communique disclosed “ the first major aerial battle.” It states: “Our supremacy in the western skies is reported to have continued throughout the day, but it slackened off at nightfall.” M. Daladier said the meeting of the Supreme War Council convinced him that the Allies were endowed with unshakeable resolution to conduct the war to final victory. There would be no defection in the struggle against Germany.

CONCERNING REAGE OFFERS ANGLO-FRENCH STAND LONDON, September 13. (R eceived September 14, at 1 p.m.) A Ministry of Information communique states that “ well-informed circles in London are considerably interested in stories reaching them from various quarters concerning peace offers which may be made. The British and French position is well known. They have already made it plain that they could only negotiate peace with a Government whose word can be trusted. Once a - trustworthy Government is established in Germany and the wrong done is righted, Britain will doubtless be ready to consider in consultation with her Allies and other friendly Powers how a just and fair peace may be established in Europe, and to examine bow economic conditions can bo readjusted to allow all countries to derive mutual benefit from the world’s resources.” GERMAN PROPAGANDA BERLIN, September 13. (Received September 14, at 1 p.m.) The Propaganda Ministry is taking great pains to conceal the British and French determination to refuse all compromise with the Nazi regime. The German public has been informed that Germany can soon make peace with Poland on the basis of the restoration of former German provinces, also it would then be pointless for England and France to continue the struggle against the Reich. CENTRE OF OPERATIONS IMPORTANCE OF EASTERN FRONT LONDON, September 13. (Received September 14, at 2 p.m.) Earl Stanhope, in the House of Lords, said: “The eastern front remains the centre of operations. The 'Germans are endeavouring to force a decision in this theatre before being compelled to transfer their formations to the west. Their hopes thus far have been frustrated owing to the indomitable spirit of the Poles.” NEUTRAL SHIPPING BRITAIN'S POSITION EXPLAINED LONDON, September 13. (Received September 14, at 1 p.m.) A Ministry of Information communique draws attention to Britain’s right to stop neutral merchantmen on the high seas in order to determine their character and' the nature of the occupation in which they are engaged. The communique states that the existence of this right is peremptorily required in order to enforce control of neutral trade which belligerents are permitted to exercise. ITEMS BY WIRELESS German Belief. All reports emanating from the German radio stations are to the effect that the real truth of the situation is being kept from the people. They are told that as soon as Poland is conquered Britain and France will consent to peace terms. Submarine in Gulf of Mexico. Two Mexican submarines have been despatched to investigate the alleged presence of a submarine in the south of the Gulf of Mexico. The captain of a tanker reported that his ship had been inspected but not attacked. Precautions at Rangoon. A number of men and officers of the Burmese forces have been called up to undertake guard duty at vital points in the Rangoon area. Burial of Thetis Victims. His Majesty the King attended the funeral of 17 victims of the Thetis disaster, who were buried at Holyhead yesterday. Additional Meat Supplies. The Argentine Government is considering supplying 170.000 tons of beef to Great Britain, and 30,000 tons to France, over and above the quota. The Government could supply 250,000 tons before the end of the year.