SHOCK TO PUBLIC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 May 1940, Page 5

SHOCK TO PUBLIC

COMMENT IN THE ALLIED COUNTRIES

SOME PERTINENT QUESTIONS. DEMAND FOR EFFECTIVE ACTION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, May 3. The Paris correspondent of “The Times’’ says that undoubtedly Mr Chamberlain’s statement has unpleasantly shocked French opinion. Scaremongers and defeatists are bound to seek profit from the admitted setback, but this is relatively unimportant. What matters is a growing impatience at the consistent success of the long series of brutal Nazi initiatives. The “Daily Mail” says: “For the first time the public begins to' understand the truth about Norway. Certainly there has been a gross under-estimate of the enemy’s ruthless' power and enormous resources.” The “News Chronicle” says: “The nation will reflect deeply on the situation, which calls in question nothing less than the whole conduct of the 'war. Politically, we have suffered a major defeat.” "The Times” says: “Apart from the evacuation, which the Admiralty organised, several aspects of the Norwegian campaign demand an inquiry. “First, it has been long accepted that combined naval and military operations against a’ well-armed enemy are virtually impracticable unless very full support is available from the air force and anti-aircraft guns. “Secondly, despite the knowledge that the Germans were rehearsing embarkations we dispersed a force that had been assembled for Finland. “Thirdly, was time lost between the landing of naval detachments and troops? “Finally, was the well-calculated boldness of the Navy which was magnificently fruitful at Narvik given equal opportunities elsewhere?” The “Daily Herald,” in, a leading article, says: “Satisfaction was the keynote of Mr Chamberlain's speech, and similarly of speech after speech by Ministers since the outbreak of the war but the Prime Minister’s satisfaction will not soften the shock with which the British public has heard the news of the withdrawal.” T " WILD INVENTIONS ENEMY PROPAGANDA EFFORTS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. May 2. There are many signs that the Nazis are trying to recuperate from the shock of Norway's spirited resistance by attempting to sow dissension between' the Norwegians and the British. It is provided by entirely unfounded stories which arc broadcast. In one version British officers are s.tated to have forced Norwegian soldiers. at the point of the pistol, over the Swedish frontier. In fact, no British troops have been in action near the Swedish border, nor has a single British soldier crossed from Norway into Sweden. NAZI STORY KING OF NORWAY ESCAPES TO SWEDEN. BERLIN, May 3. The Berlin radio announced that King Haakon of Norway has escaped to Sweden. ATTACK ON STAVANGER TWENTY-THIRD BRITISH RAID. EIGHTH WITHIN 48 HOURS. - LONDON. May 3. Yesterday’s was the twenty-third raid on Stavanger, and the eighth within 48 hours. . NAZI REPORT ANDALSNES OCCUPIED. ALLEGED DESTRUCTION OF SUBMARINES. (Received This Dav. 9 a.m.) LONDON. May 3. The High Command reports that the last of the British forces have evacuated the Andalsnes district, and that the town itself is in German hands. “Enemy forces." the report adds, “arc slowly pushing forward against our positions north and south-west of Narvik. The attacks are being repulsed. "Our naval forces sank two more enemy submarines in the Skagerrak.”