BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Evening Star, Issue 23372, 15 September 1939, Page 5

BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

LANDING IN FRANCE COMPLETE NEW YORK. September 13. The Paris correspondent of the Associated American Press savs it has been officially announced that several hundred thousand British Iroons \>• landed in France, unhampered either by submarine or aerial attack- The landing of the first British Expeditionary Force can now be termed comiplete

GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE

STRUGGLE MAY BE BITTER AND LONG BUT WE SHALL WIN * HITLER'S MEGALOMANIA [Pek United Press Association.] WELLINGTON. September 14. In a broadcast speech to the nation to-night, the Governor-General (Viscount Galway) said one could imagine that the struggle would be bitter. It might bo long, and it would involve hardship and suffering, but he was convinced that in the end tho right would prevail and that out of sorrow and suffering would emerge a world of freedom. “It must bo clear to nil that our quarrel is not with the Gorman people themselves, but with a form of Government which has tyrannised over them, and, in particular, with one man. Hitler, whose megalomania and ambition has brought about the war,” His Excellency said “ Racially, we are of the same stock, and have many points in common with the German people, but, whereas England was successful in evolving a constitutional form of government some COO years ago, Germany was not so fortunate.

“ Two hundred years ago,” Lord Galway said, “ Frederick, known as the Great, reigned in Prussia, and his unscrupulous tactics in grabbing territory began a period during which the liberty of Poland was crushed. The partitioning of Poland, which divided that country between Russia, Germany, and Austria, was without doubt a black page in the political history of Europe. Prussia played a noble part in the Napoleonic wars, and in the first part of last century consolidated her position in North Germany, but the ambitions of Bismarck were only too successful. In 1864 he crushed Dennark and annexed Schleswig-Holstein In 1866 a short and victorious war against Austria removed the rival kingdom of Hanover, made Prussia the undisputed leader of the German States, and led eventually to the Franco-Ger-man war of 1870. when Alsace and Lorraine were added, and Germany became the German Empire, with the King of Prussia as Emperor. “The influence of Bismarck, with In’s policy of blood and iron, continued,” His Excellency said. “ The old Emperor lived to the age of 91, and on his death was succeeded by the Emperor Frederick, known as the Wise, who was suffering from cancer, and died after a reign of only three months. The death of Frederick was indeed a calamity to Germany, as with him died' the last hope of Germany’s evolving a democratic and constitutional form of government. During the reign of Wilhelm IT., the Bismarck traditions were maintained The military clique held immense influence, and it was they who were directly responsible for tho Great War of 1914-18. Now, again, after 25 years. Germany is ruled by the same snirit and by methods far more tyrannical than Bismarck ever conceived . “ You are all familiar with Germany’s repeated breach of treaties,” Lord Galway said'. “It is our determination to restore peace and goodwill to those unfortunate people who have fallen under the despotism of Nazism, and when the dawn breaks we hope to bring to Europe a feeling of security and to make the Germany of the future a home for true culture and freedom and peace. Blood and iron do not make for peace and happiness. _ The recent torpedoing of the Athenia recalls to mind the dastardly sinking' of the Lusitania and the world-wide revulsion against German methods in the last war. Little imagination is required to picture the two papers recently on Herr Hitler’s table awaiting signature, one expressing to President Roosevelt a denial that his Government had been responsible for the torpedoing of the Athenia, the other approving of the award of the Iron Cross to the commander of the submarine for his outstanding bravery in sinking an unarmed and defenceless passenger ship.

f‘ The events of the past two years are too fresh in your minds to need anv further recapitulation,” His Excellency said. “ The lust for conquest drives Hitler on and on. The moment has arrived when the peoples of the worlfj who wish to live in peace have determined to resist any further agoression and take steps before it is too late to preserve their own freedom and emo're. To this end the peoples of the Mother Country and of the dominions and colonies are required to play their part, and no doubt this will call for sacrifice on the part of each and all of us.

“ The recent magnificent and immediate response of the young men of New Zealand to the call for volunteers for the special force being raised by _ the Government is something of which any country might well feel proud,” Viscount Galway added, ” and is typical of this great Dominion and its people. None of us is able to say how long the war will last. We only know that in the end we will emerge victorious.' God grant the day may soon arrive*” THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DECLARATION OF CO-OPERATION LONDON, September 14. The Woman Catholic Hierarchy of England and Wales made a declaration expressing “ profound conviction in the justice of our cause,” calling on all Catholics to co-operate willingly in every form of national service. The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland sent a loyal address to His Majesty pledging full support and the utmost endeavour to sustain the courage and endurance of the fighting forces. PORTUGAL TO REMAIN NEUTRAL LONDON. September 13. The Ministry of Information announces that Portugal has decided to remain neutral. TURKEY'S ASSISTANCE MUTUAL TREATIES WITH BRITAIN AND FRANCE ANKARA, September 13. The Turkish Foreign Minister announced that the Government was. hastening the conclusion of nutual assistance treaties with Britain and Franco.