TRAFALGAR ANNIVERSARY

Evening Star, Issue 24333, 23 October 1942, Page 2

TRAFALGAR ANNIVERSARY

CEREMONY AT NELSON COLUMN (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright RUGBY, October 21. To-day was the 137th anniversary of the Hattie of Trafalgar, and representatives from the dominions and eight Allied nations laid wreaths at. the foot of the Nelson Column after an impressive ceremony which was witnessed by a huge crowd. The First Sea Lord, Sir Dudley Pound, read Nelson’s' prayer before Trafalgar, and Sir Lionel Halsey, chairman of the Navy League, said they did more than pay tribute to the greatest British admiral—they paid tribute to the seamen of the British and Allied Navies and merchant pavies, who once more constituted a harrier between a dictator and bis dreams of world dominion.

The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr A. V. Alexander, introducing a broadcast programme, traced British naval strength from Nelson’s time, remarking on tin) striking parallel between the time of Trafalgar and the situation we had recently faced after the fall of France. Our great new ships of war, together with all other vessels coming into commission here and in America, he said, proved the determination of the United Nations to keep command of the seas and keep the enemy pent up, marching his strength away until the time comes to strike him down for over.

“ Command of the sea,” he said, “ is as significant now ns in ISO-5, and we must ensure it—and we will. Wo shall preserve it until we give back to the world ‘ security for such as pass on the seas on their lawful occasions,’ and security for all men to think and worship as they will, subject only to their own laws. We must see to it when that day comes, as come it will, that wo too. are all able to ‘ thank God I have done rav duty.’ ”