GERMAN SHIPS THROUGH BOSPHORUS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 107, 8 May 1941, Page 8

GERMAN SHIPS THROUGH BOSPHORUS

LI. GEORGE'S CHARGE

Worst Defeats Diplomatic In Conduct Of War

■■-- \ :., t i.-ii ■•„,.;vri-.-Jit. ::<■•• - ; :■• LONDON. May 7. V" I.V-yd George, in renewing ••.' (icbato cm the war situation in ■'■.•■■ H"V.-e ■■: Commons, accused the I '.iicicrn Secretary. Mr. Anthony i.fivr.. of withholding the most irucial fact, which he described as perfectly well known." that Turkey had permitted German ships to pass through the Bosphorus and the I larrianei! .*s and seize islands in the Aegean Sea. Mr. Eden had talked of Turkey's friendship, lie >aid. but the passing ■if .-hip? might be a determining factor in the present campaign. Turkey, also, was reported to have signed an agreement with Rashid \li in Iraq. These were serious developments of which the House should be informed. Mr. Lloyd George, whose House of Commons speeches are now in-r-equent. admitted that there was complete agreement as to the obligations of honour to run every risk to support the valiant Greek Army, but there never had been a war where diplomacy had counted for so much, and he had expected from Mr. Eden a full and frank statement of the Government's foreign policy. "Our worst defeats have been defeats in diplomacy and our greatest triumph has been a diplomatic triumph—the work of the late Lord Lothian," he said. He had hoped that Mr. Eden would have more to say about relations with Turkey about Spain and about Vichy.

Wavell's "Brilliant Successes" "We now have trouble in Iraq and Libya, the seizure of the Greek ■ lands and tremendous havoc among Mtir ships." Mr. Lloyd George continued. "We have also very dazjling successes. The victory of September was very remarkable, very thrilling, nnd for the time being Ceneral Wavell's campaign was one of the most brilliant series of successes won by any British general in any long, continuous war." Referring to the Battle of the Atlantic," he said: "Our position is that we have practically no allies and have to hold the position un.UX there is such a change effected in the reorientation of nations as to enable us to secure victory. Until then our duty is to make Britain and the Empire impregnable and to resist siege until our opportunity comes." In this connection he referred to the epoch-making speech of Mr. Stimson, United States Secretary for War. He had always thought it was going to be a long war, and the longer it was the better would be our chances, but we had to get over a very dark chasm. If America was going to enable Britain to catch up and then get beyond Germany, America had to do infinitely more than any indication he had heard of up to the present. As to the Administration, Mr. Churchill ought to have three or four absolutely independent men of experience and common sense—a small War Council who would help him in counsel, in advice and in action. Mr. Lloyd George appealed for reorganisation of manpower, also a real War Council. The Prime Minister was a very brilliant man, but he required a few more ordinary men to look after him. No one man, however capable, could pull them through. , "We must hold on until America is ready with equipment," said Mr. Lloyd George, "but it is most important not to exaggerate what we are going to get from America and how quickly we will get it. We must, in the meantime, do the job more thoroughly than we are doing.

German Industry's Lead "Germany has been manufacturing for six years and has spent £6,000,000,000 on preparations for war. We have spent £1,200,000,000. Mr. Churchill has said that Britain and America have 200,000,000 people ranged against 70,000,000 Germans, but the whole American population simply is not available. Suppose half the American population is available for our Avar, making, with Britain. 130,000,000, Germany has 80,000,000, plus the occupied territories. Forty per cent of the lorries turned out in France are for the German Army. Czechoslovakia turns out some of the best tanks. The Poles are working for the Germans. The mechanics In all these occupied territories are available for Germany, and while you may not think much of the Italians as fighters, they are first-class mechanics. "The enemy, therefore, has forces of life and energy superior to ours. America must do infinitely more." Major T. L. Dugdale (Con.), said Britain should use the weapon of the Fifth Column. "We are sending ;rrain to Spain." lie said, "while the Germans are sending 'tourists.' We /nay find Gibraltar surrounded and nnuseable. We have in Spain the host potential Fifth Column. Why can't we use it?" The motion expressing confidence m the Government was adopted by ■'47 votes to three.