THE DEFENCE OF BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23058, 28 June 1940, Page 7

THE DEFENCE OF BRITAIN

Statement by U.S. Politician

LONDON COMMENT ON REPORT (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received June 27, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, June 26. A message from Washington reports the chairman of the United States Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee (Senator Key Pittman) as saying to the press: “Mr Churchill's statement that ‘We will never surrender and that if any portions of the British Isles are subjugated we will fight from the New World with our Navy,’ if carried out and carried out immediately, will end Hitler’s .ambition for world conquest. It is to be hoped that this plan will not be too long delayed by futile encouragement to fight on. It is conclusively evident that Congress will not authorise intervention in the European war.” Surprise and amazement are expressed in Great Britain at the speech, says a British Official Wireless message. British commentators entirely disagree with Senator Pittman’s statement that Britain was totally unable to defend herself, which is described as a ludicrous suggestion. They disagree flatly with his suggestion that nothing the United States can give the Allies can save them from ultimate defeat. Warm

ARMS DRIVE IN RUSSIA HOLIDAYS ABOLISHED AND HOURS INCREASED (Received June 27, 9 p.m.) MOSCOW, June 26. The Central Council of the Trades Unions in a message to workers says: “Sunday holidays will be abolished and working hours will be increased from six, or seven to eight. We must strengthen the Red Army, Navy and Air , Force and augment armaments. “The increase in hours will give the country hundreds of thousands of tons more oil, coal, ore and metal, and thousands of new machine tools, guns, aeroplanes, tanks and other machines.”

appreciation is expressed of the work done by the United States factories, and it is said that it would be a poor, gesture to the United States if Britain 1 packed up without a light. , It was also felt that Senator Pittman had forgotten a statement made by Mr Churchill that the fight would be continued if necessary elsewhere in the Empire. The speech is the more astounding as it comes from the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. Supplies of Munitions Munition supplies from America are now reaching Britain in large quantities, and there is complete disagreement in authoritative quarters here with the suggestion made by Senator Pittman. His view that Britain is totally unprepared for defence is wholly at variance with that of the British Government’s naval, military, and air advisers, whose considered opinion that there are good and reasonable hopes of final victory was the basis Of the decision that the war be prosecuted unremittingly “if necessary for years, and if necessary alone.” An announcement by the Ministry of Information to-night emphasises that the warmest appreciation is felt in Britain for the magnificent effort how being made in the factories and workshops of the United States to help the Allies in the coming struggle. Britain is facing it with confidence, and is determined to carry it through to victory. This confidence is strengthened by trustworthy information that has recently reached London that in Germany war weariness is already setting in, and the .German people, who have been living on short rations and suffering many privations, are very tired after a difficult winter. R.A.F. Initiative There is also evidence that senior officers of the German forces have, as a result of the Flanders fighting, acquired a healthy respect for the British Army, and the Royal Air Force has established ‘such a reputation for dash during that period that early estimates of the possibilities of reducing the British resistance by air attack have recently, undergone a marked modification. The Royal Air Force seized the initiative early in the war and has never ceased to exploit it, as the almost daily and nightly bombings of the key . industry towns in north-west Germany and the Ruhr have shown. Confidence in the strength of the British defences grows stronger here each day, while it is believed that the Nazi leaders’ second thoughts upbn an invasion of Britain are probably less Sanguine than in the first flush of their successes in Belgium and France, though that does not mean that the attempt will not be made. Germany’s successes on land have confronted her with grave economic difficulties, which may well Compel Herr Hitler to .seek a decision With the least possible delay. aircraft engines FROM U.S. NEGOTIATIONS WITH MR FORD CANCELLED WASHINGTON, June 26. Mr Roosevelt’s Advisory Defence Commission has announced that it has Cancelled negotiations With Mr Henry Ford for the manufacture of, Rolls Royce aircraft engines, as a result of Ford’s refusal to manufacture similar engines for the British Government, Mr William Knudsen, who is in Charge Of production, said it was hoped that production in the United states would be expedited by employing the Ford facilities, because the Ford interests in Britain had a contract with the British Government for the manufacture Of Rolls Royce engines. “FAILURE OF A MISSION.” NEYILE HENDERSON’S BOOK, This outstanding book should b.e read by all ~ Sir Nevile as British Ambassador to Germany for two years. Up to the outbreak of war, has much to cohvey. . Read this final exposure of Hitler. .Fresh copies hOw available. “Failure of J a Mission,” 9s 6d from and Williams. Ltd., 238 High