LONDON CALM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 September 1939, Page 5

LONDON CALM

RECEPTION OE PREMIER’S BROADCAST ORDERLY EVACUATION CONTINUED. EMERGENCY MEASURES IN FORCE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 3. The public learned that a state of war existed between Britain and GerI many from the impressive broadcast speech by Mr. Chamberlain. It had, however, been fully prepared for this by the presentation to Germany of a warning with a time limit expiring at 11 o’clock. Mr. Chamberlairf, who spoke with deep emotion, said Herr Hitler’s action showed convincingly that there was no chance of expecting that this man would ever give up his intention of using force to gain his will and that he could only be stopped by force. x The Premier added: "We and France are today, in fulfilment of our obligations, going to the aid of Poland, who is so bravely resisting this wicked and unprovoked attack upon her people. We have a clear conscience. We have done all that any country could do to establish peace. But the situation in which no word given by Germany’s ruler could be trusted, and no people nor country could feel itself safe, has become intolerable, and now we have resolved to finish it. I know you will all play your part with calm courage. At such a moment as this, the assurances of support we have received from the Empire are a source of profound encouragement to us.” After referring to the directions that were to be given to the public, Mr Chamberlain concluded: “Now may God bless you all and may He defend the right, for it is an evil thing that we shall be fighting against—brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution, and against them I am certain that the right will prevail.” Mr Chamberlain’s faith in the calm courage of the British public is amply justified by their behaviour today. Quiet ; confidence is universal. There are nd great crowds in the streets. Most people followed the example of the King and Queen in waiting quietly for Mr Chamberlain’s message in their own homes. After hearing the message, their Majesties attended a short service of prayer at Buckingham Palace.

Meanwhile evacuation measures have proceeded in orderly fashion and are nearing completion. Evacuation continued unimpeded during an air raid warning at 11.30 a.m., which also was received with exemplary calmness by the public, who had been advised in the procedure to be followed, The warning was explained later by the Air Minister. It was given when an aircraft, at first unidentified, was observed approaching the South Coast. The aircraft was soon seen to be; friendly and the all clear signal was at once given. Tomorrow has been declared a limited ban kholiday, affecting banks only. The day will be used by the banks to complete their measures for adapting themselves to the emergency. On Tuesday morning the banks will open for business. ■ The Treasury, in conjunction with the Bank of England, has taken all steps needed to ensure that banks, including the Post Office Savings Bank, and other savings banks, will be amply supplied with currency. The arrangements made will render unnecessary any general moratorium, such as was adopted in August, 1914, but a Courts Emergency Powers Act has been passed to give further protection to any institution or person who is unable to meet his liabilities solely by reason of the emergency. The Stock Exchange will remain closed, but will reopen as soon as possible. LINER BREMEN CAPTURED AND TAKEN TO BRITISH PORT. (Received This Day, 8.10 a.m.) NEW YORK, September 3. A powerful New York station intercepted a broadcast from the official Mondial (Paris) Station announcing that the British had captured the German liner Bremen and had escorted her to a British seaport. DENIED “AT PRESENT.” (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) NEW YORK, September 3. A correspondent of the United Press of America in London states that the Admiralty denied the news “at present,” of the Bremen’s capture. MILITARY SERVICE PASSAGE OF BRITISH BILL. (Received This Day, 8.10 a.m.) NEW YORK. September 3. The American United Press says the House of Commons and the House of Lords passed a National Service Bill, empowering the conscription of men aged 18 to 41.' THE EX-KAISER AN INTERESTED SPECTATOR. (Received This Day. 8.55 a.m.) NEW YORK, September 3. An Associated Press of America correspondent at Doorn states that the exKaiser is following the progress of the war before a gigantic map of Poland hanging in the Great Hall, and methodically placing little coloured pins to indicate the army positions. While Mr. Neville Chamberlain spoke he sat hunched jip before the radio, being one of tlie few Germans able to listen to the momentous decision without fear of the decree forbidding listening in to foreign stations on pain of imprisonment and death. 1