VITAL PHASE

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

VITAL PHASE

DEVELOPMENT OF WAR. STEEN TASK AHEAD. NO HALF-MEASURES. (Lruted Press Association—By ElectricTelegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 27. The Secretary of Air (Sir Samuel Hoare), opening - a broadcast speech, said that Herr von ltibbentrop (German Foreign Minister) that afternoon, had made his much-advertised speech to the diplomats of Berlin. “You do not wish me to say more than a few words about it,” he remarked. “We know this man. He is a dangerous adventurer who 1 has played a sinister part in public affairs. No honest man trusts his word. No impartial neutral believes what he says. “I need only say that it is a' despicable lie to say that we have ever plotted against any neutral country, and that it is sick, lying hypocrisy when this charge is made by the murderer of Czechoslovakia and Poland,” said Sir Samuel. “Let me leave this mail to his lies, and come to the crime Hitler and he are committing in Norway.” The Germans, he continued, had challenged Britain to fight on a new front and made Norway their battlefield. Britain had taken up the challenge and would meet the Germans with all tile resources she could develop and all the power she could muster for the fight “Let no one have any illusions; tile war has entered ail intense, vital phase,” Sir Samuel said. “The enemy will wage it without mercy. He will give no quarter. He will certainly not spare the brave people of Norway, who have been so shamefully and wantonly dragged into war after generations of peaceful, progressive life. “For our part wo will not imitate h'is dastardly conduct. "We will not let helpless seamen drown. We will not bomb open towns. We will not attempt to defeat the Germans by terrorising their women and children. All that we will leave to the enemy. But we will not leave him a monopoly of energy, skill and resolution. ' VIGOROUS ACTION.

“No; we must show those qualities to a degree far excelling the determination and ingenuity that he displays. Nor shall we pay the least attention to any threats lie may make. We have now been given a duty that must bo accomplished. Step by step the Allied Jorces must destroy tinGerman grip upon the Norwegian seaports ancl air bases. And they must put into the hands of the outraged Norwegian people weapons and figlitIng strengths .that will drive the enemy from the hillsides and valleys, from "the harbours, and fiords. “But if the task before us is clearly marked, that does not moan it is easy- —tar from it. It will not be accomplished in a day. It will not be accomplished without sacrifices. Jt. will not lie accomplished without steadfast and uushakcable conviction.” After referring to the treacherous methods adopted by the Nazis, Sir Samuel Hoare said : “The advantage they won by their foul, cowardly blow must now be redeemed by bard fighting, by vigorous action and patient planning. And it will be redeemed. Sir Samuel then addressed himself to the Norwegian people, promising them the full support of Allied arms, and be referred to the strong associations existing between Britain and the Norwegian King and Grown Prince, whom be described as “giving a noble example of heroic patriotism. ’ NAZI NAVY CRIPPLED. Speaking of the .British and Norwegian action against the German navy, Sir Samuel said that as a result “the German navy has been driven out of its lurking places and crippled, j Whatever else still may be uncertain about the Norwegian campaign, that is one result established and secure. The German licet is no longer a major instrument of war. The loss ol many of its ships has lelt us freer than ever to move our fleet about the seven seas according as we need it tor strategy and defence.” Sir Samuel Hoare then turned to questions of aerial warfare, saying: “As you realise, we are fighting this n.ir war in Norway at a great disadvantage. Ibe Germans have bases and we have not. The Germans lly from Norwegian soil, and we must fly across 300 miles of open sea to reach the scene of battle. Still, with all those handicaps the Royal Air Force and its partner the Fleet Air Arm have liohind them a fortnight of splendid achievements.” Sir Samuel briefly mentioned some of the outstanding activities, and lie related several accounts of air fighting taken, lie said, from the “cold, harsh words” of daily reports received bv him. Th ose kinds of episodes, be said, showed the task that the new war over ibe North Sea bad set. our forces, and lie continued: “It is a heavy task. T,et- no one under-rate it. And there will be heavier tasks in the future. The Air Force will be ready for them, and we must be ready to help the Air Force to succeed. We must recognise the need to mobilise the whole of our air strength. We can have' no half-measures. We dare not leave any resources untapped.”