CALM IN LONDON

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20033, 4 September 1939, Page 6

CALM IN LONDON

FULLY PREPARED WAIT IN FATEFUL HOURS ASSISTANCE TO POLAND “CLEAR CONSCIENCE” FALSE RAID ALARM (British Officinl Wireless.) Reed. 1.15 p.m. RUGBY, Sept, 3. The public learned that a stale of war existed .between Britain and Germany from the impressive broadcast speech of the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain. It had, however, been fully prepared for this news by earlier broadcasts, including a Downing Street announcement of the presentation to Gremany of the warning, with a time limit expiring at 11 o’clock. Mr. Chamberlain, who spoke with deep emotion, said that Herr Hitler’s action showed convincingly that there was no chance of expecting that this man would ever give up his intention of using force to gain his will, and he could only be stopped by force. The Prime 'Minister added: "We and France arc to-day, in fulfilment of our obligations, going to the aid of Poland, so bravely resisting this wicked and unprovoked attack upon her people. Wc have a clear conscience. We have done all that any country could do to establish peace. But the situation, in which no word given by Germany’s ruler could he trusted, and no people nor country feels itself safe, has become intolerable; and now we have resolved to finish it. “Profound Encouragement” > “I know you will all play your part with calm courage. At such a moment as this, the assurances of support we have received from the Empire are a source of profound encouragement to us.” After referring to the directions that were to be given to the public, Mr. Chamberlain concluded: "Now may God bless you all, and may he defend the right, for it is against evil things that we shall be fighting—brute force, bad faitli, injustice, oppression and persecution—and against them I am certain that right will prevail.” The Prime Minister’s faith in the calm courage of the British public was amply justified hv their behaviour to-day. Quiet confidence is universal. There are no great crowds in the streets, most people having followed the example of the King and Queen, waiting quietly for Mr. Neville Chamberlain’s message in their own nomes After hearing the message ThenMajesties attended a short service of prayer at Buckingham Palace. Meanwhile, the evacuation measures proceeded in orderly fashion, and are nearing completion. The

evacuation continued unimpeded during an air raid warning at 11.30 a.m., which was also received with exemplary calmness by the public, who had been advised in the procedure to be followed. The warning, it was explained later by the Air Minister, was given when aircraft, at first unidentified, was observed approaching the South Coast. The aircraft was soon seen to friendly, and the “all clear” signal was at once given. To-morrow has been declared a limited bank holiday, affecting banks only. The day will be used by the banks to complete their measures for adapting themselves to the emergency. On Tuesday morning the banks will reopen for business. Tlie Treasury, in conjunction with the Bank of England, has taken all steps needed to ensure that the hanks, including the Post Office Savings Bank and other savings • banks, will be amply supplied with currency. The arrangements made will render unnecessary and general moratorium, such as was adopted in August, 1914, but a Courts’ Emergency Powers Act has been passed to give further protection to any institution or person who is unable to meet his liabilities, solely bv reason of the emergency. The Stock Exchange remains closed, but will re-open as soon as possible.