FAITH VOICED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20037, 8 September 1939, Page 6

FAITH VOICED

ULTIMATE ISSUE ALLIED VICTORY CHAMBERLAIN VIEW ADDRESS IK COMMONS BRITAIN'S PREPARATIONS MASSING OF RESOURCES (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) {British Official Wireless.) Reed. 1.45 p.m. RUGBY, Sept. 7. In the House of Commons, the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, stated that he was able to give a general idea of the war situation, but that it would not be in the national interest to give details. “The House, I am sure, will realise that it is impossible for me to give more than a general indication of the present situation, and of the state of our defences,” said Mr. Chamberlain. “There are necessarily a number of matters to which, in the public interest, it would be impossible for me to refer. “With that necessary preamble, I will givey the House a resume of the position. “In Ihe East, the Poles arc fighting hard against a strong and ruthless enemy, who arc relying on weight of numbers and material to crush all opposition. “The Polish soldier has ever shown himself to be a courageous and determined fighter, and to-day he is worthily maintaining this tradition. Against an overwhelming superiority m the air. and outnumbered and outgunned. be is contesting every yard of the German advance “The Germans have often stressed the need for a short war and a quick decision. In pursuance of this idea, the German aim appears to be to concentrate Jits first main effort against Poland, and as the House is aware, that country was invaded just over a week ago, without any formal declaration of war. Financial Assistance “Despite the human and material losses which they, have already suffered, the morale and courage of the Polish people remain unaffected. Britain and France to-day .signed an agreement with Poland for the provision of further financial assistance to Poland, to enable her to replenish her resources. “In the west France, like ourselves, has mobilised her forces with complete efficiency and smoothness, and they are in contact with the enemy on their common frontier. Certain information has been- published of what has taken place, but. for obvious reasons, no details can yet, be disclosed.

“The outbreak of the war has found the same spirit of determination and solidarity among the French people as is evident here. The understanding between the two countries is complete, and arrangements which now have been put into force for cooperation in all activities concerned with the prosecution of the war are working smoothly and well. Precautionary Measures "In this country the defensive military dispositions of our army, which cover a very wide field, were made in good time owing to the precautionary measures which it was decided to adopt during the period of tension. The manning of anti-aircraft and coast defences was efficiently carried out. Within, a short time of calling out of the units, guns and searchlights were fully manned. Since a large number of anti-aircraft units were in camp, and away from their home stations, this reflects great credit on their organisation. “The guarding of vulnerable points has been taken over by the national defence companies, supplemented by the personnel of the Territorials. The personnel reached their posts with a minimum of delay, and under trying weather conditions. “The mobilisation of the Remainder of the army has been carried out with the greatest smoothness. The morale of all ranks is high. In particular. the spirit of the reservists recalled from civil life, some of whom already this year had been called up for training, is excellent. “I should like to make some special mention of the women of the auxiliary, Territorial services, who are performing many tasks under arduous conditions, and thereby relieving soldiers for fighting duties. Attacks by Submarines “Turning to the naval side, the most important feature up to the present has been the development of German U-boat attacks on our shipping,” said Mr. Chamberlain. “The sinking of the Athenia, with its scenes of death and terror, virtually opened the war, and no denials or inventions on the part of Germany will convince the public of German innocence of this crime, which has profoundly shocked and horrified the world. “Apart from the case of the Athenia, there have been attacks on other British merchant ships by German U-boats, and three or four have been sunk on our side. “The admiralty has taken immediate counter-measures. British destroyers and other anti-submarine craft have been very active, and large reinforcements of anti-submarine and escort vessehs arc rapidly becoming available.” Plans For Convoys “As the First Lord ol' the Admiral'y already has informed the House, steps are being taken to establish the convoy system at the earliest possible moment. This method of protection obviously only can be instituted after the outbreak of war and it takes time to bring it fully into operation, but the House can be satisfied that it is being applied with the utmost possible speed and vigour. . "Most of the ships which have been attacked hitherto are vessels which commenced their voyages before war broke out and naturally for them the full scope of our defensive organisation could not immediately be provided. While a certain proportion of weekly losses must be expected, and I do not minimise the threat to our shipping, I think the House and coun-

try may rest assured that the navy, with all their wartime experience ot handling this problem and with the added advantage ot methods of submarine detection and destruction which since then have been developed, wiil have a definite influence on this phase of the war. Attack by Royal Air Force “I should next like to pay my tribute to the very gallant attack which was made by units of the Royal Air Force on certain German warships off Wilhelmshaven, during which at least two hits were secured on one of the so-called ‘pocket battleships.' It must be realised that the objectives attacked, namely the German fleet bases at 'Wilhelmshaven and at the entrance to the Kiel Canal, arc probably among the most strongly defended points in Germany. The manner in which the R.A.F. attacks v/ere pressed home, despite the strength of the defence, is worthy of the highest praise. “I should also mention the weather conditions prevailing on the afternoon of the attack. The visibility was exremeiy poor and the final stages of the attack are stated to have been carried out in a blinding rainstorm. A high degree of navigational skill was thus necessary to enable the attack to reach its objective at all, and the fact that hits were registered demonstrates the ability of the R.A.F. to carry out its attacks under conditions of great difficulty. "Finally, I think it right lo stress the fact that a high proportion of the officers and men in the squadrons concerned have entered the Royal Air Force and received their training since the expansion began. “The House also may be interested to learn that those who took part in the attack included a number who came from the Dominions. Reconnaissance Flights “As the House knows, extensive reconnaissance flights have been carried out over Germany i on three successive nights during the last week toy units of a bomber command 1 and over 10,000,000 copies of the note to the German people have been distributed over a wide area of northern Germany, including the Ruhr. “Although on each occasion the enemy defences were set fully in motion, no contact was secured by enemy fighters and all our aircraft returned safely. “The activity of the fighter and coastal commands, if less conspicuous, lias been no less intense. From the early stages of the emergency all squadrons of the fighter command have been at their war stations and in a state of instant readiness. The coastal command also has been busily engaged in extensive reconnaissance over the surrounding seas in order to locate and destroy enemy submarines. Home Defence Services “I now wish to say something of the organisation of the Home defence services, which is being rapidly completed. The regional organisation is functioning well, although there is still some shortage of wholetime personnel, but this is chiefly now to be found in the country districts. “The enforcement of black-outs is proceeding satisfactorily; With the help of the air force reconnaissance every night it has been possible to discover lights irregularly showing and action has been taken at once to deal with offenders. “The Government decided last Thursday that plans for the evacuation. mainly in respect of schoolchildren, young children, and their mothers, should be put into operation. The evacuation started on Friday morning. In a number of towns it was completed by Saturday. In London, where the problems were exceptionally large, it was completed by Monday. The operation has been . substantially completed now and covered not only those towns for which plans had been worked out beforehand, but also a number of other vulnerable areas. “So far approximately 1,500,000 children and mothers have been evacuated in the country as a whole. The arrangements for evacuation and transport were carried out without a hitch, and those responsible for the reception of the women and children in the receiving areas displayed remarkable enterprise, efficiency, and goodwill. Reopening of Schools "The process of assimilating this large increase in population in the receiivng areas will take time and calls for tolerance and mutual understanding. "Schools are to be reopened in the

receiving areas as quickly as possible, and both the public authorities and voluntary effort will bo busily occupied with measures for the welfare of the children and for the assistance of householders who are so generously providing homes for mothers and children. “More than 200.000 hospital beds are ready for air raid casualties. Of these. 58,500 are in the London region, 15.500 inside the county, and 40,000 outside the county. Of course, beds in £<ny region would be available lo me<tt the needs of any other hardpressed area. “More than 11,000 trained nurses, 4000 assistant nurses, and more than 50,000 auxiliary nurses have joined the Civil Nursing Reserve for service in hospitals and first aid posts. More of both trained nurses and auxiliaries are needed, especially women who can give whole-time service in .any part of the country. "Nearly 2400 doctors have accepted enrolment in the Emergency Medical Service and acceptances are being received daily. Auxiliary Fire Service “The Auxiliary Fire Service was mobilised quickly and on the whole smoothly, and in the main the available fire-fighting units are being kept permanently manned and ready for action. In London, for instance, there are more than 1800 fire pumps ready for option, as against about 125 in peace time. "I hope the statement I have made

will show the House and country that our war effort in its many aspects i.s rapidly gaining momentum. 1 know it lias behind it the full weight of all tlie people of this country, who are united in their conviction that no nation ever went to war in a higher cause. We are greatly heartened by the knowledge that in the struggle for the defence of liberty, free institutions and the preservation of all that makes life worth living, we can count on the support of the overseas members of the British commonwealth. Of their own free will and under no form of compulsion save the moral compelling force of right and justice these self-governing nations have declared their intention of co-operating in the cause, which is no less precious to them than it is to the people of the homeland." Mr. Chamberlain concluded: "Those who have taken up arms in such a cause are assured, whatever sacrifices they may be called on to make, of victory in the end.” Widespread appreciation is felt in the country at Mr. Chamberlain's resume of the present position, especially for the fuller details of the successful attack by the Royal Air Force on Wilhelmshaven. j