WAR REALITIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 March 1940, Page 7

WAR REALITIES

NEED OF GREAT EFFORT FOR VICTORY ONLY WAY TO PRESERVE , FREEDOM. DECLARATION BY BRITISH LIBERAL LEADER. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. March 16. The Liberal Party leader. Sir Archibald Sinclair in a broadcast, stated that there was a very long, rough and painful journey to victory, and he appealed lor voluntary sacrifices from the British peoples over and above the restrictions and taxation imposed by Parliament. “Behind the deceptive appearance of quietness,” ho said “lies I he realitv of a gigantic conflict.”

Speaking of events in Finland. Sir Archibald Sinclair said the Russians had dropped the pretence that they were 'fighting to liberate the Finns and ignored the existence of the “ridiculous Communist group.” whom M. Stalin had hitherto described as the legitimate Government of Finland. But Stalin’s increased imperialistic demands had been backed by Germany with threats of joining in the invasion of Finland if they were rejected. Describing the Swedish and Norwegian surrender to the German threats as "a triumph of evil force over moral weakness,” Sir Archibald Sinclair said the only way to preserve freedom and the rule of law in the world was for the nations who believed in these things to stand together in' their defence and fight hard. The war. he added, could not be won by sitting down passively. The result of Munich. Sir Archibald continued, proved that Hitler would not keep any agreement one day longer than it suited him. "If we now sued for peace he would dispense to France and Britain the same justice he is giving the Czechs and Poles. If a man with Hitler’s record has any interest in justice it can only be to escape it.” Concluding, Sir Archibald Sinclair said: "Defeat would mean our ruin and the loss of our freedom. Victory will give us opportunity—opportunity to heal the scars and ravages of war, opportunity to break down the barriers to commerce which impoverished nations before the war, opportfunity to create a new world order on the basis of justice and freedom and opportunity to establish a lasting peace, that prize which only constructive statesmanship can win.” MORE LIVELINESS MR HERBERT MORRISON’S PLEA. GERMANY’S BLACKGUARD TACTICS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 15. A plea for greater liveliness in the conduct of the war was made by Mr Herbert Morrison, the Labour M.P.. in a speech. "Nazi Germany, in its rules of war,” he said, "is acting as a perfect blackguard. We are acting as a perfect gentleman. It is. a matter for consideration whether in the circumstances today perfect gentlemanliness can win victory.”