CHURCHILL'S CALL TO THE NEUTRALS.

Auckland Star, Issue 18, 22 January 1940, Page 7

CHURCHILL'S CALL TO THE NEUTRALS.

FEATURE OF SPEECH

Only In Allied Convoys Can

Safety Be Found.

WHOSE TURN WILL BE NEXT?

failed Tress Association.—Copyright.

(deceived 10..T0 a.m.)

LONDON, January 21

Tho broadcast by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Winston Churchill, was too late for editorial comment in tho Sunday papers, bnt tho headlines on the front paj»es indicate tho importance they attach to it. All feature the "call to the neutrals," and attention is drawn to the passage in which Mr. Churchill referred to Germany's sinking of neutral ships without law or mercy. Victims of Hate. He said it was only in the British and French convoys that safety could he found. There it was 500 to 1 against the ship being sunk. Very different was the lot of unfortunate neutrals, which both on land and at »ea were the victims on whom Hitler's hate and spite descended. 3fr. Churchill referred to the States of Scandinavia, tho Balkans and the Danube Basin. •'Each of them in wondering to-night which will be the next victim on whom tho criminal adventurers in Berlin will cast their rending stroke," he said. "But what would happen if these, and other neutrals I have not mentioned, -were with one spontaneous impulse to do their duty in accordance with the League of Nations and stand together with the British and French Empires against aggression and wrong?

"Their present plight is lamentable, and will become much worse for all of them. They hope tho storm will pass before their turn comes to be devoured, but the storm won't pass, and will rate and roar even more loudly and widely."

Tlie Brussels Press published Mr. Churchill's broadcast without comment. The general impression was not too favourable. A headline in one paper read. "Churchill's strange reprimand to neutrals."