FIRM CONFIDENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1939, Page 6

FIRM CONFIDENCE

IN ULTIMATE ALLIED VICTORY DECLARED BY BRITISH PRIME MINISTER. ALLIES BIDING THEIR TIME. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY. November 26. Expressing confidence in the ultimate victory of the Allies, the Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain) in a broadcast tonight, dealt with the absence of major air attacks and a German land offensive, which were not due to reasons of humanity.. There was plenty of evidence, he said, that humane considerations did not deter Germany from using any form of weapons which brought advantage. The latest of their methods was the indiscriminate sowing of a new magnetic mine in British waters. It did not matter to the German that such action was contrary to international agreement, or that neutral as well as British shipping was destroyed. Germany’s hope was. by the use of this barbarous weapon, to cut off supplies and so to starve Britain into submission. “You need have no fear that this attempt will succeed," said Mr Chamberlain. “Already we know the secrets of the magnetic mine, and we shall master it as we have already mastered the U-boat. Meantime, despite some losses, our convoys are still coming steadily into and going out of our ports, and will continue to do so, thanks to the courage and skill of the men of the Merchant Navy and those of the warships which convoy them.” After giving a message to the members of the forces, and thanks to the peoples of the Empire, Mr Chamberlain said perhaps many people wondered why the Allies were not attacking the enemy with more vigour. “I would remind you." he continued, "that war consists of bringing the greatest possible force to bear at the right place at the right time. In our case-the place and time will be decided by those responsible for the strategy of the Allies. Meanwhile we are not losing anything by delay, for time is on our side. Every week that passe’s intensifies the pressure upon Germany of the Allies' blockade, which is slowly but surely depriving her of metals essential to the successful prosecution of modern war and which shd cannot produce within her borders. How different, is the position of the Allies, who have at their disposal, within the Empire or elsewhere, unlimited resources in men and materials. With such advantages, they are bound to win in the end and the only question is how long it will take them to achieve their purpose.