TO CONTINUE THE WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20915, 21 September 1939, Page 7

TO CONTINUE THE WAR

DETERMINATION OF BRITAIN POSITION OUTLINED BY MR CHAMBERLAIN NAZIS’ BRUTAL AGGRESSION AND BROKEN PROMISES (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 21, 11.0 a.m*.) RUGBY, Sept. 20 “Events have occurred during the last week of such farreaching importance that there has not yet been time to estimate their effect on the fortunes of war and on the attitude of other countries,” said Mr Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister, in a statement made in the House of Commons on the war situation. “On September 13 I referred to the relentless German pressure on the Polish Army, which so far had been frus- . trated by the indomitable spirit of the Poles. This pressure and this resistance continued during the week and is still continuing in many parts of Poland. The tide of the German invasion eastwards has reached an approximate north-south line through Lemberg and Brest-Litovsk, though there still remains areas of Polish resistance such as Warsaw which refuse to be submerged.”

Referring to the Soviet action, Mr Chamberlain said it was not unexpected.

Reviewing Sunday’s events in the diplomatic and military fields, Mr Chamberlain re-affirmed that while the full implication was not apparent nothing that had occurred would make any difference to the determination of the Government to fulfil its obligations to Poland and prosecute the war with all energy until the obligations had been achieved.

“The world, which has watched the vain struggle of the Polish nation against overwhelming odds with profound pity and sympathy,” said Mr Chamberlain, “admires their valour, which even now refuses to admit defeat. If Britain and France have been unable to avert the defeat of the armies in Poland they have not forgotten their obligations to her nor weakened in their determination to carry on the struggle.”

Referring to Herr Hitler’s speech, Mr Chamberlain said it did not change the situation. It gave an account of recent events which the British Government could not accept as accurate and contained certain assurances of a kind which, in recent years, Herr Hitler had repudiated when it suited his purposes.

A supplementary White Paper to be issued tomorrow would make plain the true course of recent events.

Hitler’s Misstatements After reviewing the Polish situation, Mr Chamberlain dealt with Herr Hitler’s speech. Among many misstatements of fact he referred particularly to the assertion that the French* Government had agreed to Italian mediation while the British Government had refused it. A reply to that statement was contained in an Italian communique on September 4, which clearly brought out the common attitude adopted by the British and French Governments. Britain did not seek this war. As published documents showed, Britain repeatedly stated her readiness for a peaceful settlement by negotiation. She persevered in attempts to secure this up to the' end, even after the striking of the first blow, but her efforts were set' at nought and her hopes shattered by the unprovoked and brutal aggression of Germany. (Referring to the western front, Mr Chamberlain said the French continued to make methodical and successful progress. The laconic but admirably clear announcements of the French High Command indicated that various strategic and technical objectives had been secured and the ground gained had been held in the face of increasingly severe German ’resistance. Activity Against Submarines Dealing with the war at sea, Mr Chamberlain said the situation had been one of intense and continuous naval activity, mainly in the form of attacks on U-boats carried out by destroyers, small craft and fleet air arm action, under cover of the main fleets and squadrons. Whereas in the last war Britain was on the defensive she now was carrying out an offensive against U-boats and they were continually and relentlessly attacked whenever they disclosed themselves. It frequently was impossible to be certain after depth charges had been dropped that the submarine .attacked had been destroyed, but occasionally there were unmistakable signs that the vessel had been holed and sunk.

render ineffective or destroy enemy warships and so prevent augmentation of the enemy war supplies from overseas, whilst at the same time protecting British and neutral commerce. Depend on Trade Flow ‘The interests of neutrals are the same as our own in war as in peace,” he said. “We depend for our life upon an uninterrupted trade flow. It is our fundamental policy to preserve as far as possible conditions of normal trade. Although the suppression of contraband traffic must inconvenience the neutrals, that control is only exercised according to the well-established principle of international law. Control is only used where there is good reason to suspect that contraband cargo is designed for the enemy. The neutrals’ normal requirements of goods for self-consumption are not interfered with. The exercise of control over contraband destined for an enemy is the subject of lawful arbitartion of the Prize Court. “Contrasted with the British strict adherence to the rules of law, whereby there is no loss to neutral life or property, the German submarine warfare and method of laying mines has already resulted in the death of many persons of many nationalities and in the destruction of much neutral property.” Conduct of the War Speaking of the conduct of the war, Mr Chamberlain said: “It must be remembered that in all military preparations the great initial advantage rests with the aggressor. No country without aggressive intentions can be as quick off the mark as one that has kept only one set purpose continually in view—'the purpose of aggression.” The speech concluded: “I will not hazard a guess at this stage of the war as to when and where the decisive force will be assembled or when the decisive moment will arrive. It must depend upon events which no orie can forsee. "But the scale of preparations and the fact that already we have announced that we are basing them on the assumption that the duration of the war may be at least three years ensures that our strength will increase progressively to meet whatever may come. ‘‘Let me conclude by citing the words of a famous Polish General in bidding goodbye to the recent Allied l military mission: “We shall fight. A ! large part of our country will be j over-run and we shall suffer terribly. But if you come in we know we shall rise again.” A Grim Tragedy Mr Chamberlain said the Russian invasion of Poland had inevitably ! efliected the situation on the Eastern iT'roni. He added: “I cannot say the j Soviet’s action was unexpected, but it is still too early to pronounce a final verdict on the motives and consequences of Russian action for the unhappy victim of. this cynical attack. The result has been a tragedy of the grimmest character.” Referring to Hitler’s speech, Mr Chamberlain said: “It is not our way to speak with boasts or threats. Perhaps for that reason the German leaders have difficulty in understanding us. but such comments as I have to make in this speech shall not depart

"I am confident," said Mr Chamberlain, "that already six or •even submarines have paid the full penalty for attacks on British •hipping.

“In some cases their crews have been captured. I am confident that with the full operation of the convoy system and the rapid increase in the numbers and power of the hunting craft the submarine menace will dwindle.” Fewer Ships Sunk

The Prime Minister dealt further with U-boat action against British shipping. Occasional blows such as the sinking of 11..M.5. Courageous must be expected, but already it was clear that the Navy and merchant service, by their unceasing efforts, would be able to maintain the essential supplies of raw materials and food.

Mr Chamberlain stated that the average weekly loss during tne last war was 39 ships, and in the first week of the present war it was 17 and in the second week 13. Undoubtedly the decrease was partly due to the working of the convoy, which was increasingly in operation.

* Speaking of the sea policy. Mr Giamberlain said the object was to

from our custom ol speaking soberly and quietly. “Hitler’s speech at Danzig does not change the position with which we are confronted. Hitler’s account of events could not be accepted as accurate, but contained certain assurances of a kind which in recent year years Hitler has repudiated when it suited his purpose.

"Hitler says much about the humane methods by which he has waged the war. I only say that such methods are not made humane by calling them so, and that accounts of German bombing and machine-gunning refugees has shocked the whole world.” (Cheers).

Mr Chamberlain went on to say, “I searched vainly this speech for a single word that Hitler remembers the brave men who have already lost their lives in this quarrel of his making or their wives and children deprived for ever of the head of the family because Hitler’s lust for power must be satisfied.

“Our general purpose in this struggle is well known. It is to redeem Europe from a perpetual recurring fear of German aggression and to enable the peoples of Europe to preserve their independence and liberties.

"No throats will deter us and our French allies from this purpose*"