NATIONS AT WAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 September 1939, Page 5

NATIONS AT WAR

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER’S SURVEY OTHER PLANS DEVELOPING SMOOTHLY. HOPES OF ENDING SUBMARINE MENACE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) > LONDON, September 7. The Prime Minister (Mr N. Chamberlain) in the House of Commons, said that in the East, the Poles were fighting hard against a strong and ruthless enemy, who * was relying on weight of numbers and materials to crush all opposi- ’ tion. Against an overwhelming air superiority, outnumbered and outgunned, the Poles were contesting every yard of the German advance. Mr Chamberlain added that the British and French understanding was complete. Co-operative arrangements concerning the prosecution of the war were working smoothly and well. German submarines had sunk three to four British merchantmen, in addition to the Athenia. German denials were inventions which would not convince the public of German innocence of this crime, which had profoundly shocked and horrified the world. The Premier also said that aviators from the Dominions had participated ■in the raids on the Kiel Canal. It ■’ would be realised that the objectives ■’ attacked probably were the most ' strongly defended points throughout Germany. ’ He added that the Germans had util- ’ ised every means of defence against 1 propaganda raids, but had not made 1 contact with the British planes carrying’ leaflets, all of which had returned r safely. The Royal Air Force had scored ’ at least two hits on a pocket-battleship. Mr Chamberlain said that Britain's ' war effort was rapidly gaining momenI turn. Defensive and military prepara- ’ tions had been made in good time. Be- ’ cause of the precautionary measures 1 taken during the period of tension, an-ti-aircraft and coastal defences had ' been manned efficiently and guns and searchlight units manned in the briefest possible time. The Admiralty had taken immediate anti-submarine measures. Destroyers and other anti-submarine craft were most active. Large reinforcements of anti-submarine and escort ships were rapidly becoming available. Steps were being taken to establish the convoy system as early as possible. The Premier added that improved methods of detecting submarines would quickly end the submarine peril. Over 200,000 hospital beds were ready for air raid casualties. Twentyfive hundred doctors and 11,000 trained, 4,000 assistant and 50,000 auxiliary nurses were available. “I know the Government is support-

ed by the full weight of the people, who are unitedly convinced that no nation has ever warred for a higher cause.” said Mr Chamberlain. “We are most heartened by the knowledge that in the struggle for the defence of liberty and free institutions, and the preservation of all that makes life worth living, we can count on the support of all overseas members of the British Commonwealth.” He added that 1,475, 000 children had been evacuated from British cities. I —— — CONFERENCE PROPOSAL MUSSOLINI’S REPORTED , INTENTION. LQNDON, September 6. The Rome correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that private Italian sources state that Signor Mussolini is about to renew his proposals for a conference of Powers, with a suggestion for an armistice in the meantime.