BRITAIN’S WAR POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 September 1939, Page 8

BRITAIN’S WAR POLICY

PREPARATIONS FOR LONG STRUGGLE DIRECT AID TO POLAND IMPRACTICABLE. ATTEMPT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN FOLLY. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY, September 22. There is still some misconception in certain foreign countries of the underlying principles which govern the British conduct of the war. Notably the failure to prevent the overrunning of Poland has given rise to comment in some quarters which betrays a complete misunderstanding of the basic British plan in the Western Allied countries and even in Poland itself. It has always been anticipated that large areas of' Poland would quickly fall to the enemy. The geographical situation of Poland, many hundreds . of miles from Britain and surrounded by enemy or neutral countries, through which the transport of arms is impossible, was a fundamental reason recognised from the outset by the Poles why the war could not be fought on the basis of direct help to Poland. Recognition of this inescapable fact, which lies at the root of the British war effort, is unaffected by the overwhelming of Poland earlier than the most, optimistic anticipated. Britain’s realistic view of what the war involves was illustrated in the first war Cabinet communique, which stated that Britain’s policy was based on the assumption that the war would last three years or more. The importance of this preparedness for a long conflict lies in the fact that as time goes- on Germany will find herself at a disadvantage, whereas Britain, being prepared for a struggle of this magnitude, it becomes clear that to have squandered efforts on a vain attempt to give Poland direct help would have been folly. The validity of reported warnings by Germany that neutrals would be guilty of a breach of neutrality in making war trade agreements with Britain which resulted in limiting exports to Germany, and overseas goods allowed io pass through their territory to Germany, is not admitted by authorities on international law in London. SUPREME COUNCIL REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS. (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, September 22. A Ministry of Information communique states that the Supreme War Council met in England this morning and afternoon. Mr Chamberlain, Lord Chatfield, Lord. Halifax, M. Daladier, General Gamelin and M. Dautry attended and reviewed developments since the meeting on September 14, and estimated their effect on future events. Unanimous agreement was reached on both Governments’ plans for munitions supplies and methods of co-ordinating and perfecting them.