AIM OF BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 1, 26 September 1939, Page 8

AIM OF BRITAIN

General Principle At , Stake REPLY TO IL DUCE London’s Appreciation Of His Motives (British Official Wireless.) (Received September 25, 7.10 p.m.) RUGBY, September 24. The following comment on Signor Mussolini’s speech was made available today by the Ministry of Information: “The full text of the speech has not yet been received through official channels. Official circles, however, understand and appreciate the sincerity of Signor Mussolini’s motives, and the Prime Minister already has expressed his appreciation of what Signor Mussolini attempted to do prior to the outbreak of war to reach a solution. “The suggestion that by not spreading the conflict further in view of the Russian fait accompli Britain and France have compromised their moral justification for attempting to annul the German fait accompli is not understood here. The British peoples’ decision to declare war was indeed a direct consequence of the invasion of Poland, but the invasion of Poland was itself but a further illustration of the lawlessness in international affairs which it is the principal purpose of this country to resist. “As the Prime Minister said last week in Parliament, ‘Our general purpose in this struggle is well known. It is to redeem Europe from the perpetual and recurring fear of German aggression and enable the peoples of Europe to preserve their independence and liberties.’ “Whatever, therefore, may be the results of the Russian action in Poland, this purpose remains unaffected and will be prosecuted with unflinching determination.” COMMENT IN PARIS Allies’ Position Defined Once And For All PARIS, September 24. A semi-official French statement on Signor Mussolini’s speech comments that the German aggression leading up to the English and French participation and also the putting into effect of the German military plan were minutely prepared beforehand, also the partition of Poland and many other events following the initiative taken by Italy have created a new condition in Europe. The British and French Governments have already made known their position with the utmost clarity, and the statements by Mr. Chamberlain and M. Daladier have defined once and for all the position of the Allies. PEACE OFFENSIVE Italian Efforts Continued (Received September 25, 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, September 25. Fascist circles consider that the British and French reaction to Signor Mussolini’s appeal is discouraging, and they blame the democracies for continuing the war at the risk of a general conflagration, slates a message from Rome. The Rome - correspondent of “The Times” yesterday stated that the Italian peace offensive has been rekindled after il Duce’s speech. Strong sympathy for Germany still exists in influential circles, and there is also increasing impatience that England and France are unwilling “to recognize realities.” Newspapers are trying to enlist the neutrals, and remind them that Italian intervention would entail a warlike upheaval in Eastern Europe and in the Mediterranean. In the meantime, Italy is increasing her military preparations. THREAT TO GERMANY Retaliation For Sinking Neutral Ships Much alarm has been caused in Sweden and Finland by the sinking by German submarines of two Finnish and one Swedish cargo boats. It is stated in Stockholm that if Germany continues to sink “neutral ships Sweden may stop her exports of iron ore to Germany. This would be a severe blow to Germany, which takes about 6,000,000 tons of iron ore each year from Sweden. In Finland also there has been criticism of the sinking of the ships.—By Ra'dio. DR. ALEXIS CARREL GIVEN WAR MISSION Daventry reports that it is announced in France that Dr. Alexis Carrel has been given an important war mission by the French Minister of Public Health. The nature of the work is not disclosed. Dr. Carrel collaborated with Colonel Lindbergh recently in artificial heart experiments. —By radio. VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR GREEK AIR FORCE LONDON, September 24. The Athens correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Company says that 2500 volunteers are being sought as aviators and technicians. ORDER FOR BLANKETS NEW YORK, September 24. An order for half a million blankets for the Canadian army so far has not been placed, because no individual mill in the United States is able to produce such a Quantity in three months.