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Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 May 1940, Page 5

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ABOUT BRITISH POLICY IN NORWAY

SIR A. SINCLAIR’S SPEECH. MR CHAMBERLAIN CRITICISED. Ry Telegraph—Press 'Association—Copyright. LONDON, April 30. Further in his speech Sir Archibald Sinclair said: “The British will not cornplain if the Government moves stealthily and strikes Germany without warning," and ho asked: “Is it true that while Mr Chamberlain was warning Sweden and Norway of the approaching danger he was ordering the dispersal of the force that was ready for Finland? "The false prophecies: Hitler has missed the bus. We have turned the corner. We are now 10 times more confident than six months ago,’ remind rne of the prophecy ‘Munich meant peace in our time.” The “Daily Mail” in a loading article headed, "Fight or Withdraw?” says "Sir Archibald Sinclair's speech is of the highest impotance. It. throws into relief the gravity of affairs in Norway, where the Allied position is critical. If the Germans’ claims are correct our tenure of central and southern Norway is seriously compromised. The Chiefs of Staff must decide. No question of political reputation can influence the decision.

“Sir Archibald Sinclair raised questions of the organisation of Ihe campaign. They are being asked elsewhere.”

“The Timos” says: “The serious nature of the Norwegian news is undeniable. Il cannot be disguised that

the British communications with Andalsnes are likely to become difficult.” A message from London yesterday that the Opposition Liberal Leader. Sir Archibald Sinclair, in a speech, deplored the defeatist attitude of some British people, and he asked the reason for articles, apparently inspired, suggesting that the British forces should be evacuated from Norway. Sir Archibald Sinclair expressed the opinion that evacuation from southern and central Norway would only be justillable il the military situation was beyond repair. "The country is entitled to know." he said, “whether the troops sent were highly-trained regulars with experienced officers and adequate equipment and if they were, why was the British counter-stroke so slow in coming?”