UNITED FRONT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 May 1940, Page 6

UNITED FRONT

FORMED IN BRITAIN MR CHAMBERLAIN'S ADDRESS. HOUR OF DECISIVE TEST. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 11.17 a.m.) RUGBY. May 10. Giving what he described as his last message from No 10 Downing Street, Mr Neville Chamberlain, in a broadcast this evening, said that by the invasion of Holland. Belgium and Luxemburg, Herr Hitler had perpetuated one of the most horrible crimes in all history. No man. in all history, Mr Chamberlain continued, was responsible for such a hideous total of human suffering or misery as was the Nazi leader. “If lie has chosen the moment when he thought this country was in the throes of a political crisis.” Mr Chamberlain said, “if he counted on our internal divisions, he has miscalculated the spirit of this people.” Stating that he intended to make no comment on the House of Commons debate. Mr Chamberlain said that after it was over he had no doubt in his mind that some new and drastic action would have to bo taken to restore confidence and carry on with the vigour and energy essential to victory. “It was clear at a critical moment in the war that what was needed was the formation of a Government which would include members of the Labour and Liberal Opposition and thus present a united front to the enemy." he went on to state. “What had to be ascertained was the conditions which would be necessary to enable such a united front to be formed, and to this question I devoted myself, with the arsis! once of my colleagues, yesterday afternoon. It was apparent that essential unity could be secured under p.ne/.her Prime Minister, but not under myself. My duty was plain. I sought an audience of the King this evening and his Majesty was pleased to accept my rcsignatiet'.. His Majesty has now entrusted to my j'riei’d and colleague Mi- Churchill the l:;sk < I frrming a now Administration, and in this task

I have no doubt he will be successful." His colleagues, he continued, had placed their resignations in Mr Churchill’s hands. After referring to Mr Churchill’s asking him to be a member of the War Cabinet, Mr Chamberlain contin- | tied that he had, striven until the last hope had vanished and war could no longer be avoided. He reminded his hearers of his broadcast on September 3. when he told the British people they would be fighting against an evil thing. "My words,” he said, “have proved to bo insufficient to describe the vileness of those who have now staked everything on the great battle now beginning. Perhaps it may bo at least some relief to know that • this battle, though it may last for. days or even weeks, has ended the period of waiting and uncertainty. For the hour has come when wo are to be put to the test, as the innocent people of Holland and Belgium and France are being tested already, and you and I must rally behind our new leaders and, with our united strength and unshakeable courage, fight and work until this wild beast that has sprung up out of his lair upon us shall be finally disarmed and overthrown.” “HATEFUL FACE” WELL KNOWN TO ALL GERMANS NAZI VIEW OF WINSTON CHURCHILL. “BRUTAL REPRESENTATIVE OF FORCE." (Received This Dav. 12.6 p.m.) LONDON. May 10. A German radio mesage states: “This post of Chamberlain’s who is always walking with a prayer book in his hand, has been taken over by Winston Churchill, the most brutal representative of the policy of force, whose programme is the dismemberment of Germany. He is a man whose face is well-known to all Germans.” CHANGES IN FRANCE CABINET OF ALL PARTIES FORMED. M. REYNAUD RETAINS PREMIERSHIP. (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) PARIS. May 10. M. Reynaud has reshuffled the Cabinet. taking in representatives of all parties. M. M. Marin and Y. Barnegaray will join the War Cabinet.