WARM GRATITUDE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 June 1940, Page 8

WARM GRATITUDE

EXPRESSED BY PRINCE BERNHARD TO BRITAIN AND CANADA. DENUNCIATION OF NAZI PLOTS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. June 25. Broadcasting from London. Prince Bernhard of Holland said: "My first words to you are words of heartfelt gratitude to the British people here and in the great Dominion of Canada for the very kind reception and warm hospitality extended to my family and me after we had to leave our country."

Explaining why he and his family had to leave their country. Prince Bernhard said it had been clear that the first German objective was the capture of The Hague, the seat of government, and the Royal Family. Instructions had been found, he said, on the body of a dead German general to the effect that the members of the Royal Family had to be captured and sent to Berlin if resistance were offered. The instructions continued that these prisoners would be dealt with in the German capital "in accordance to the resistance offered.” He recalled how King Haakon of Norway had been followed by German bombers wherever he went. The members of his family and his Government had, therefore, to flee the country in order that Dutch resistance might not be silenced.

“There is far more at stake than the material welfare of the nations of Europe, great though that may be," he said. "It is no less than the very existence of spiritual freedom for which peace-loving nations jhave struggled throughout centuries.” Referring to the next objective of Germany—the British Navy—Prince Bernhard said: “Speaking as a citizen of a small European nation with a great seafaring tradition. I would like to say that the British Navy in recent history has not interfered with anyone .except those who cherish aggressive intentions. On the contrary, it has had a stabilising influence in a very great part of the world. If ever the Nazi fleet should take the place of the British Navy, then God help the world.

“But there are still forces to check Hitler's boundless ambition, the forces inside as well as outside the fighting arena, forces, too, that will prove to be stronger than mechanised brutality, the force of great spiritual and moral values, the strength of the very things civilisation is fighting for. “The fight goes on. The Queen of the Netherlands is inspiring further resistance, to which the Dutch Empire and Dutchmen all over the world stand pledged. The Netherlands Government is organising our share in the common effort. We feel confident in the company of our Allies. We have no fear as to the outcome of this momentous struggle.”