SITUATION WAS FOLLY EXAMINED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 217, 14 September 1939, Page 7

SITUATION WAS FOLLY EXAMINED.

MEASURES TAKEN.

Outcome Of Meeting Of Supreme Council. PREMIER'S STATEMENT. British Official Wireless. (Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, September 13. A statement on the international situation was made in the House of Commons this afternoon by the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain. He started by referring to the meeting 1 of the Supreme War Council, which he attended in France yesterday.

The object of the meeting, he said, was to make possible at the earliest stage in the war a direct and personal exchange of views.

The present situation was fully examined and measures to be taken in the immediate future were discussed. Further meetings would be arranged as and when necessary, to ensure the closest possible co-operation between the two countries.

'"I am glad," said Mr. Chamberlain, "to be able to assure the House that the people of France and Britain are both determined not only to honour to the full their obligations to Poland, but to put an end once and for all to the intolerable strain of living under the perpetual threat of Nazi aggression.

'"Our trench allies are, like ourselves, peace-loving people, but they are as convinced as we are that there can be no peace until the menace of Hitlerism is removed."

Mr. Chamberlain added: "I cannot give the House details of all the measures of defence which have been adopted in overseas parts of the Empire, but on behalf of the Government I can say that, botli in military and civil spheres, steps which in some cases are of a far-reaching nature have been taken Poland Still War Centre. 'An increasing number of foreign .States have declared their neutrality, but in 110 case has this led to any relaxation of the armed vigilance which characterises Europe.

"For the moment the eastern theatre of war is still the main centre of operations. The Germans appear to be endeavouring to force a decision there before they are compelled to transfer their formations to the west to meet the threat of Allied intervention. That these hopes have so far been frustrated is due to the indomitable spirit of the Poles. "In the west the French have begun a methodical advance. Hitherto these operations have been local, with the object of straightening out the line and gaining contact with the main enemy positions. This is an essential and important preliminary phase, about which the French are naturally reticent, and it U sufficient to sav it' has l>een completely successful. Not Yet in Action. Mr. Chamberlain said it was true Briti-h troojw were already in France, although they had not been in action, and he promised when this happened that all possible information would be issued. A number of Poyal Air Force squadrons were now operating from French soil. "Further successful reconnaissance flights over Germany have been carried out by the bomber command in this country, and much useful information has been gained in the course of these flights of activities behind the German frontier. Defensive patrols proceed continuously, and. the fighter command remains in a state of instant readiness. The coastal command has continued to carry out extended reconnaissance, and anti-submarine patrols have carried out a number of attacks."

Speaking of sea activities the Premier said the auxiliary naval forces were now passing rapidly into service.

"J lie fleet lias been joined bv three destroyers of the Polish Xavy'. which have proved to be very efficient, and aie taking part ill the strenuous life of our light forces. The main object of the British Xavy must be. as in the last war. to ensure the freedom and safety of the seas." Act of Ruthlessness. The Premier referred to Germany's 1917 submarine campaign and added: "111 the present war the German attack upon our merchant shipping was begun by an act of ruthlessness against a passenger chip contrary to all the rules of maritime warfare, and to a convention that Germany herself signed. It is being continued. A certain number of British merchant ships have been sunk, and our losses have undoubtedly been somewhat severe*. This is only what had to lie expected, for the reason that the war came at a moment when large numbers :1 ■ our merchantmen were scattered oxer the seven seas, moving under peace conditions."

A message from Paris says M. Daladier made a statement that the meeting of the Supreme War Council had convinced him that the Allies were endowed with unshakeahle resolution to conduct the war to final victory. There would be no defection in the struggle against Germany.