THE ISSUE JOINED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 140, 14 May 1940, Page 7

THE ISSUE JOINED

BATTLE WITH EVIL. LORD HALIFAX’S VIEW. NAZI . SAVAGERY. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright j (British Official Wireless.) Received May 14, 11.8 a.m. RUGBY, May 18. The House of Lords was recalled to-day and, before aiVourning, unanimously carried a resolution moved by Lord Halifax (Foreign Secretary) expressing confidence in the new all-party, Administration formed by Mr Winston Churchill. Lord Halifax referred to the sudden development of the situation in the last fen- days, and said : “Once again ail attempt is made by Germany to strike down two of her small neighbours, and even -the most elementary principles of international order. This crime, following close on the heels oi a similar crime only two or three weeks ago against Norway and Denmark, makes plain once more to the whole world the forces against which the battle is now joined, and what price we would have to pay for a German victory. “That such an attack should have been launched on the Dutch and Belgian peoples without warning, without the pretext of a grievance, and in defiance of scrupu lously observed neutrality gives the measure of the lawless savagery which it must now bo the task of civilised nations to stamp out.” Lord Halifax continued: “Thf moment the news reached us of the German assault, bringing to us the appeal from the Dutch and Belgian Governments, the British Government imediutely promised its full support, and the action of the Allied Forces was simultaneous. “On the'"Western Front a critical battle is at this moment being fought out:” "WITHOUT SCRUPLE. “In the Netherlands,” said Lord Halifax, “the Germans are making a most determined attack to gain control of the fortresses by the periodical use of their air forces and their parachute troops. Every strange device contrary to the laws and'usages of war has been exploited. Their parachutists have landed, disguised not only in the uniforms of the Allied forces, but also as priests and women. They have been supported, as in Norway, by the enemy within the gates, and fierce fighting is proceeding, particularly in the Rotterdam area. Thu Belgians are resisting behind their forward defences, and heavy fighting is going on north west of Liege. Every effort is being made to support the Dutch and Belgians in their struggle by sea, land, and air. The British and French Forces are already engaged with tinenemy, and the Allied Forces are opera ting in support of the land battb against the German columns, and many enemy aircraft have been shot down. CAMPAIGN IN NORWAY. “In Norway the operations against the enemv iri the Narvik aiea are pro ceeding, “and our forces further to the south are in contact with the enemy advances from Namsos.” Lord Halifax also referred to the welcome given to the Britisli troops u. Iceland. ' Iho people ol Iceland knew the British troops were only there to ensure that they should be spared the fate which had overtaken the peoples ol Denmark and Norway. ATTITUDE TO GERMANS. Lord Snell (Labour), welcoming the new Government, said the British nation was quite resolved to complete the task it had begun. He added:—“\Ve do not hate the German people. AVe do not want to prevent their natural and rightful development, but we will not tolerate their lust for domination, nor, will we tolerate the bred-in-the-bone brutality of their present Government.” T-lie resolution was also supported by the Marquess of Crewe and the Archbishop of Canterbury.