FIRST WIN WAR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 44, 1 December 1939, Page 6

FIRST WIN WAR.

PRESENT OBJECT OF FRANCE. SOLIDARITY WlTi-l BRITAIN. (Received This Day, 2 p.m.) PARIS', November 30. . I.a a Government, declaration on the occasion of the first meeting of Parliament since the outbreak of war, the Prime Minister (M. Daladier) described the laying of mines by Germany as a convincing proof of the failure of the submarine campagn. The war was due to a systematic effort by Germany to dominate Europe. It Was not yet time to discuss peace aims. “Peace must be based l on materialguarantees, extending to all free nations, said M. Daladier, “but we must fjrst Win the war. That is our only object at present. The Fircnch have: seen their lands ravaged in their own lifchtime end are resolved, that.it.shalh not happen again.” “M. Daladier added that the French forces lvere strong enough to break the enemy attacks with the minimum of losses and certainty of success. M. Daladier paid a tribute to the ■attitude of the United States, which knew that tlm, arms supplied by her would be used to defend her own democratic principles. M, Daladka* declared that it was possible Germany will loose ail her forces of destruction before just peace is. established. “France Will return blow for blow,” he said. “If this destructive fury falls on our villages and towns we shall hit back at Germany with the same severity.” Ridiculing the propaganda that Britain; Was not equally sharing .the sacrifices with/France M. Daladier pointed out that the answer to this was the speedy presence of Dominion forces on the French battlefields to fight for the common ideals.

Adducing further reasons for the failure of German attempts to divide Britain and France M. Daladier .pointed out that the British loss of ' Jife thus far was higher than the French. The fate of war, however, would depend not merely on military operations, but on tire evolution of international politics. Italy’s policy was tlie greatest contribution tp peace in the Mediterranean. The efforts of France were at -present directed to th restoration of normal economic relations with Spain. France would lay down her arms only when able to treat with a German Government whose signature would - hind her actions. v Referring to the inactivity on the Western Front M. Daladier said that the whole country should know that • this Was favourable to Britain and France , which were accumulating powerful means- to permit attack,. if necessary, at the right moment with the certainty of success. M. Daladier closed his speech with a demand for renewal of full powers, ■adding that he would make the question one Of confidence if objections were

raised. The Army. Committee refused, by 13 votes to 9, to >agree to M. Daladier s request for powers for procedure unless they are modified. M. Daladier flatly refused modification’ Howeverj efforts were immediately begun to lyork out a compromise and the Army Committee, approved the rewritten decree and the Bill was approved by Id votes to nine.