THE KING SPEAKS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24570, 19 May 1945, Page 7

THE KING SPEAKS

Reply To Houses Of Parliament

REVIEW OF VICTORY

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, May 17. “I thank you for your loyal addresses of congratulation on the complete victory gained in Europe over enemies who sought to enslave it," said the King in the Royal Gallery of the House of Lords to-day on the occasion of the ceremonial presentation of addresses of congratulation of both Houses of Parliament to the Sovereign on the victory in Europe. At the end of the King’s speech Mr Churchill sprang to his feet and, waving his silk hat in the air, provided an unexpected, dramatic momentr ‘‘Three cheers for Their Majesties," he cried, and the great audience, which hitherto had been decorously silent during the 30 minutes’ ceremonial, let themselves go and raised their voices. “In spite of ajl that ruthlessness could do in attacks by sea and air, the Royal Navy, aided by the Royal Air Force and the maritime forces of the Dominions, India, and our Allies have kept the seas open,’’ said the King. “They have convoyed our armies to every theatre of war and carried them to assault against shores which the enemy had thought impregnable. “The Merchant Navy, by its courage and seamanship, moved men and weapons to all parts of the world and, with the Fishing Fleet, depleted by war, brought us safely food which never failed. “The gallantry of the Army which fought in Europe against overwhelming odds in 1940 and which was miraculously rescued ■from Dunkirk, will ever be remembered. In the years that followed the Army, with the Home Guard, stood ready to defend our homes against invasion. “All this time a powerful instrument was being forged which, with the forces of the Empire and the Commonwealth. at first alone, and later with our Allies, drove the enemy from Africa, and then, landing on the shores of Sicily and later the Normandy beaches, swept victoriously across Europe. Tribute to Air Force “We are grateful to the Royal Air Force and the Dominions’ and Allied air forces. The Royal Air Force fought and won the Battle of Britain. “My armed forces still have heavy tasks before them in the Far East, where numbers of my people are still in the power of the enemy. Already they have achieved great successes In the defence of India and the liberation of Burma. I am confident that they will carry on the war against Japan with indomitable courage and constancy and help to bring it to a victorious conclusion in true comradeship with the forces of the United States and our other allies. “At home my people have unflinchingly borne the burdens and dangers of war. The thanks and admiration of all are due to the ten millions of men and women who toiled, to relieve suffering and repair the devastation caused by the enemy attack. Danger .could not deter my people from carrying out their daily tasks that the life of our nation might go on. In field, factory, mine, office, and workshops and on lines of transport, my people have toiled night and day in a productive effort to equip and maintain the armed forces. Moreover, from the earliest days of the war they shouldered the burden of heavy taxation and they, willingly contributed their savings to the country’s needs. Work of Women "I must specially mention the women of this country who, by their ready response to the calls of industry and the fighting services, added so greatly to the weight of our impact on the enemy. Let us remember, too, the housewives of this country, so many of whom took into their homes mothers and children from the bombed Cities and workers uprooted by war. “I have done my best' to discharge my duty as the constitutional Sovereign of a free people, and In this task I have been unceasingly helped by the Queen. We mourn the loss of all who have laid down their lives at home and abroad. The Queen and I would wish to offer our sympathy to those whom the war has stricken with the loss of their nearest and dearest. We ourselves suffered the keenest grief at the loss bn active service of my brother, the Duke of Kent. “I have felt deeply for my loyal subjects in the Channel Islahds, and It gives me joy to know that they are once again free. Generous Help From Overseas “Throughout our long struggle, all of us in this island have been strengthened and cheered by the staunch support of the people of the British Commonwealth and Empire overseas. My Dominions, India, and the colonies, have all given generously of their manpower and material, and they will continue to bear their share in the war against Japan. “We rejoice at and acknowledge, and we shall never forget, the aid so freely and promptly given by the United States and the brotherhood of our armed forces serving together in the various iheatres under combined commands. The splendid victories of the Soviet Union, and the courage of all those other allies who suffered and fought with us in our common struggle against aggression will ever be recorded in our hearts and our history. “The rebuilding of Europe will bring with it trials and difficulties which will be met and overcome if we continue to work togther in faithful, mutual help as we have done during the war. The ravage which we ourselves suffered will call for an intense creative effort by all members of the community to restore and improve the standard of living of my people. “The grand alliance of the United Nations can and must continue to ensure peace. The alliance looks forward to the time when qll nations, under God’s good providence, will be able to work together in mutual confidence for these exalted aims.”

GERMANS PUT TO WORK

ARMY MOVEMENTS AND RECONSTRUCTION

. LONDON. May 17. “German prisoners are being used in every way possible to speed up the gigantic task of re-deploying American forces and equipment to the Pacific,” says the correspondent of the Associated Press at Supreme Headquarters. ‘‘Skilled Germans are helping to recondition equipment to be shipped eastward and thousands of others are employed in loading ships and repairing roads from the front to the ports.”

The police and the Public Safety Department are hard on the track of the Gestapo organisation, and are round*ng up ‘‘fairly substantial numbers” of Gestapo officials throughout the area occupied by the British 2nd Army, says Reuter’s correspondent at 21st Army Group Headquarters. The British authorities are freeing Hitler’s political prisoners from gaol and building up a new German police force under British supervision. The British are showing no mercy to Germans convicted of carrying- arms or other capital offences. Coionel K E. George, a staff officer of the Military Government, said that about 12 sentences had been passed to uate. All death sentences were subject to confirmation from the Commander-in-Chief, after which the convicted persons faced a firing squad. At Celle the conditions equalled in horror any so far found. The Allies released immediately 53 Germans and 49 non-Germans of 110 persons examined, and put the former German governor and 15 of his staff in cells formerly occupied by the victims. ‘The Commander of the 53rd Welsh ordered Hamburg’s 1,000,000 civilian inhabitants to provide 100,000 sets of clothing, 100 pianos, and 100 radios, 2000 packs of playing cards.

10.000 books, 2000 indoor games, 100 footballs, and 1000 toys and dolls for the vast number of slave workers who have lived in misery for years in the hutted slums round the city,” says Reuter’s correspondent in Hamburg. “In addition the 53rd Division has started six language newspapers for the slaves. > “Non-essential German workers have beep ordered to scrub out the 400 filthy camps in which lOOjOOO slaves live. A string orchestra from one of Hamburg’s finest hotels has been ordered to tour the camps. “British officers found the camps in an appalling state, with no segregation of the sexes, no proper sanitation, widespread starvation, and general cruelty."