MR FRASER’S BROADCAST

Evening Star, Issue 24288, 1 September 1942, Page 3

MR FRASER’S BROADCAST

VALUE OF OFFENSIVE ACTION f RAISE FOR AMERICAN TROOPS WASHINGTON,.August 30. The New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, in a nation-wide broadcast, declared that the result of the Solomons action was definitely encouraging. “ The first - round has been won and we are ready for the second,” Mr Fraser said. “ New Zealand always favoured an offensive action like that in the Solomons, and we know that the same belief in the value of an offensive is shared in the United States. We saw it in the attitude of your splendid boys who have _ already reached New Zealand. Behind that vanguard is grouping a great array wliich will make possible in due course a front which will not only bo a second front, but also, I believe, a final front.” Discussing the American war effort, Mr Fraser said: ‘‘This has been an encouraging visit. Even in these few days I nave seen enough to realise how much America is in the war,.heart and soul. I know you have difficulties, particularly in the field of production: but I know, too, that you have the will and the ability to , overcome these. Already, in spite of them, you are achieving amazing things. I came here to discuss with President Roosevelt and other leaders problems concerning, the common war effort. I naturally cannot give details, but I ca,n say that they are progressing satisfactorily. We have gone over all the main problems regarding the war in the South Pacific, and discussed ways of dealing with them.” Mr Fraser pointed out that in spite of New Zealand’s severe losses in Libya, Crete, and elsewhere, “we realise that the only way to deal with the Nazis and the Japanese is to go out and meet them, rather than wait for them to attack. Similarly, when war was brought to our doorstep in the South Pacific we did not think in terms merely of defending our country, but of using New Zealand as a place from which the United Nations could drive forward and thrust the Japanese not only out of the South Pacific, but right out of the war.” Mr Fraser paid a tribute to the American forces in New Zealand. “ They have impressed us by their physique and soldierly bearing,” he, said, “ and particularly by their courtesy and discipline. They have already done a great deal to solidify the already strong and enduring bonds between the two countries.” BACK IN LONDON BELGIAN PREMIER'S TOUR (British Official, Wireless.) (Rec. 10.30 a.m.) - RUGBY, Aug. 31. M. Pierlot, the Belgian Premier, arrived in London to-day after his visits to the United States and the Belgian Congo. “THE ROOK” GIBRALTAR'S STRONG DEFENCES (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 30. “ The new Gibraltar has its brain centre hidden from attack and is able to control any form of offensive ■without sending a single man into the open. That is our great secret at the key to the Mediterranean, where men have gone underground with a new idea in. warfare.” This description was given in a broadcast to-day by a man who recently visited the Rock of Gibraltar. “If attacked from the land, sea, or air,” he said, “or even if invasion troops swarmed over the Rock, the fortress could still not be taken. Every defender would reach safety, while the enemy would be harassed and in constant danger. The commentator described tunnels in the Rock 100 ft deep, where even the discharge of giant guns above could not be heard. Along these, tunnels there is a gigantic industrial installation, where all the activities of a busy city call be carried on, including the running of roads and railways. The equipment includes a power house, a hospital, kitchens with electric ovens, comfortable barracks, repair shops, where practically any gun could be overhauled, bakeries, libraries, cinemas, and huge stores of food and ammunition. “ I was not allowed to see how the new underground Gibraltar will attack when everyone is driven underground,” the commentator said, “ but even if every anti-aircraft gun on the Rock was smaslied it would still be decidedly hazardous for any Axis aircraft to go near Gibraltar.” TRAINING FOR STREET GUSHES GERMAN CIVILIANS IN FRANCE NEW YORK, August 30. The Stockholm correspondent of the ‘ New York Times ’ says that, according to persons just arrived from Paris, 100,000 German civilians employed in various Reich administrations in Paris are being trained in street fighting and other forms of partisan warfare. French army rifles are used in the training, which is designed to make the civilians valuable adjuncts to the army in the case - of a general French uprising. . Exercises are held openly every Sunday in Boulogne and Vincennes parks, at which Germans encourage Parisians to attend, with the idea of impressing them. TOWED TO PORT AMERICAN SKIP TORPEDO WASHINGTON, August 30. The Navy Department announced that a United States merchantman was recently torpedoed in the Carribean Sea, but navy gunners drove off the attacking submarine and saved their vessel. The torpedo explosion killed two seamen, but failed to sink the ship. Twelve hours later a Canadian naval vessel appeared and towed the damaged ship to port. The Navy Department also revealed the loss of a medium-sized British merchantman through submarine action in the Caribbean in the middle of August. CONDITIONS IN IRAN STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED LONDON, August 31, The Berne radio reports that a state of emergency has been declared throughout Iran, which lies immediately south of the Russian Caucasus.