DIVERSE VIEWS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 January 1940, Page 5

DIVERSE VIEWS

COMMENT IN THE BRITISH PRESS MR HORE-BELISHA’S WORK i PRAISED. CLASH WITH GENERALS SUGGESTED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. January 6. The Prime Minister’s tribute to Mr Hore-Belisha’s work at the War Office and to the important reforms he carried out is warmly endorsed in the evening newspapers, which invite the Government to give a full account of the events leading to his resignation. The changes in the Government are given a mixed reception in the British Press. “The Times” says that a feature of the reconstruction upon which Mr Chamberlain is to be congratulated is that he has found new Ministers from outside the ranks of the present er any previous Administration. The question of what further changes in the organisation and personnel of the Government may still be found necessary, it says, is left open. Commenting on the services which Mr -Hore-Belisha rendered to the Army, “The Times” remarks that, like those of Lord Haldane, they will only perhaps be fully appreciated in retrospect. It adds that in any case there is no reason to suppose that his retirement marks the extinction of his political career, which has been distinguished by the most essential quality of drive. Nor need the changes as a whole be considered more than changes ad interim. EXPLANATION WANTED. The “Daily Herald” also concentrates its main attention on the change at the War Office, and says that the public will demand to know the reasons which decided the Prime Minister to remove Mr Hore-Belisha, whose reorganisation of the Army system, . it says, has gone a long way to increasing the democracy within its r3 The ••Herald” says that the new President of the Board of Trade, Sir Andrew Duncan, has proven his organising ability, and it regards him as “probably a good choice.” A similar line of criticism is adopted by the “News Chronicle” regarding the change in the War Minister. The “Daily Telegraph” says of the 'changes that they might in their significance be likened to nothing more serious than changes of the watch on board ship, and they are indicative not of weakness but of strength, as showing that fresh energies for the direction of the vital services of the State. Referring to Mr Hore-Belisha’s resignation, it says that his readiness to stand aside now is entirely to his credit. It will enhance rather than diminish the recognition of the qualities he displayed as Minister of War. Of Mr Hore-Belisha’s successor, it says that Mr Stanley has qualities and a temperament that make him persona grata to all concerned in the manifold activities and contacts of the War Office, and it cannot fail to be of satisfaction to him-to know that-he is succeeding to an office which his father held during the last war. . It congratulates the Prime Minister on having had the courage to go outside of politics and choose men of practical experience and proved administrative capacity for the important post:* of the Ministry of Information and the Board of Trade. The impression left on the public, it adds, will be that the Government has. been strengthened in its claims upon the nation’s confidence for unflinching and effective prosecution of the war. INFUSION OF NEW BLOOD. “The Times,” in its leader, states a Press Association message, says that the changes will be a welcome infusion of new blood, but they do not alter the character and numerical strength of the War Cabinet, and they mark no move for the co-ordination of economic effort for which there is widespread and continuous demand. TALK OF DISMISSAL. Other morning papers refer to alleged differences between Mr HoreBelisha and Army leaders, but they pay a tribute to Mr Hore-Belisha s work in building up the Army. The “Daily Herald” runs a frontpage seven-column heading: Belisha Sacked,” and declares below that both Mr Hore-Belisha and Lord MacMillan have been dismissed. It adds that Mr Hore-Belisha’s removal is a victory for the Army chiefs. Commenting on the Cabinet resignations, the "Daily Mail” says that lack of harmony between Mr Hore-Belisha and the Higher Command had steadily grown in recent weeks. It is understood there were serious clashes of opinion, and it is believed that lately there had been strain between the Commander-in-Chief of the Field Forces, Lord Gort, and Mi Hoi eBelisha. The disputes became so grave that it was necessary to seek the intervention of the Prime Minister, who was faced with a painful crisis. Mr Chamberlain was apparently of the opinion that with the country at war, the situation must be resolved immediately in the national interest. "It is ironic that Mr HoreBelisha’s resignation should result from a conflict with generals whom he had promoted,” the newspaper comments. .. The "Evening News" says: "11. as is conjectured, the quarrel is between him and the generals rather than between him and Cabinet, his chief offence appears to’be that he wanted to move farther that the generals thought desirable.” The "Star" says: "If it is shown that Mr Hore-Belisha was thrown overboard to satisfy a clique who disliked him on social grounds and because he was democratising the army too strongly, the public resentment will be deep and lasting.” The "News Chronicle” says: "Mr Chamberlain’s visit to France is believed to have had some connection with the troubles between Mr HoreBelisha and the Army chiefs, and with Mr Hore-Belisha’s measures and also the manner in which they were introduced.”