GOODWILL FOR NAUGHT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 143, 17 May 1940, Page 6

GOODWILL FOR NAUGHT

FATE OF NETHERLANDS. SPIRIT UNBROKEN. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 15. In a broadcast in English from London, to-night, the Queen of the Netherlands, said : •“I and my people had always hoped it would he possible to limit the extent of the European conflict and that a reasonable basis for lasting peace could be established in the near future. To-day it appears that all our fervent prayers in favour of a common understanding among the nations have proved futile. “After the ruthless aggression against progressive and democratic Norway an (if possible), even more cynical procedure was followed in respect of Holland and Belgium. Both countries bad shown to the utmost of their power their steadfast determination to preserve their neutrality, and had offered more than once their good offices with a view to re-estabiishing contact between the belligerent Powers which might have led to a cessation of hostilities. “To-day we have to admit that no happiness can be expected in this world if those who are solely responsible for the present situatioft are not definitely checked in their course of unscrupulous destruction and utter disregard of law and the most elementary principles of morality. After an heroic struggle, my nation, which has attempted everything to maintain peace, is being overpowered by sheer superiority of force. CONSCIENCES CLEAR. “Our spirit will remain unbroken, because oui consciences arc clear. Notwithstanding the great distress which my people are suffering at the present moment and the oppression under which they will live until the country will be free again, I am convinced they will never give up tlieir faith in the cause of freedom and justice.”

Queen Wilhelini'na 'concluded: “1 pray God that the Allied cause will he blessed and that the dawn of the day when freedom "'ill be restored to the Netherlands and to all the other victims of German aggression will be near.”