TISSUE OF LIES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 127, 29 April 1940, Page 7

TISSUE OF LIES

REPLY TO RIBBENTROP. ABSURD ACCUSATIONS. (British Official Wireless.; RUGBY, April 27. Authoritative circles in London commenting on Herr von Bibbentrop’s statement, said that there is no truth in his assertion that the Allies’ plan is to dismember the German nation. The Prime Minister has already described this allegation as a malicious misstatement. As regards the so-called British plans to invade Scandinavia, Herr von Bibbentrop bases his charges on alleged statements by Mr Churchill and others. The facts are as follow : First, it is true that the British and French Governments, as they had already openly declared, were determined to stop the German abuse of Norwegian territorial waters. Hence the decision to lay the minefields. Secondly, the Allied Governments sought permission to send help to Finland, via Norway and Sweden. When this was refused they did not proceed with their plan. Thirdly, the Norwegian Government, far from deciding to enter the war on the Allies’ side as Herr von Ribbentrop alleges, refused consistently to agree even to the passage of troops to Finland. Fourthly, if troops had been ready for a landing in Norway, as Herr von llibbentrop alleges, there would have been no delay in coming to the assistance of Norway'. Such delay as occurred was due to the necessity of assembling a force. Fifthly, had tiic laying of minefields been merely preparation for a landing, as is alleged, the Allies would not have announced it. They did so purely out of regard for neutral interests, which Germany has so shamefully disregarded. DELIBERATE ACT. Sixthly, the German expedition, as was subsequently admitted on the German wireless, sailed many days before the minefields were laid. Seventhly, it is notorious that the German landing in Norway was made possible by the activities of German secret agents. It is impudent to suggest that British agents bad been preparing for a British landing. Eightldv, the British Government is anxious that neutrals should take steps to protect themselves from German aggression But it is patently untrue to say that the Allies seek to extend the war. The view of neutrals is indicated by the.fact that none has mobilised in icar of Allied aggression. There is no doubt that the extension of the war to Scandinavia was due to the deliberate action of the German Government. This it now seeks to justify on the basis of alleged documents of which it had no cognisance when it committed the aggression. Jt is also interesting to note the absence in Herr von Ribbcntrop's speech of any attempt to justify the German aggression m Denmark. Denmark, in short, does not appear to him to be’ worthy of any mention at all. .