WAR SITUATION CONSIDERED

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 189, 8 May 1941, Page 9

WAR SITUATION CONSIDERED

Statement By Mr. Eden

GREEK CAMPAIGN AND IRAQ TROUBLE

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

LONDON, May 6.

Diplomatic and military events of the past few months, particularly in the Middle East, were reviewed by the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, opening the debate on the war situation in the House of Commons today. . . , „ , “The dominant need must be for more ships and munitions, he said. “Every move in the diplomatic field is conditioned by Britain s military strength. “Not once do Germany or Italy show anywhere the least respect for any engagements,” Mr. Eden said. “Their only sanction is force. So it is that the United States is helping us greatly in many spheres and in many ways, and the more fully and rapidly and the more certainly that that help can reach the battlefields in Asia,- Africa, and Europe, the shorter will be the duration of the war. That is why an immense step forward was taken by the United States in deciding to send ships through the Red Sea. “It must be our privilege, together with the help we can receive from the United States, to win for the nations of Europe the right to live their own lives in peace and tranquillity, secure at last from the haunting dream that shadows our own time."

For. his survey, Mr. Eden' took as a starting point early February, when it had become clear that the Germans, having overrun Rumania, intended to establish themselves in Bulgaria, to encircle Yugoslavia,, to subject Greece to pressure, and to immobilize Turkey, and, from that position—attained without firing a single shot —-to deliver their main blow from secure bases against our positions in the eastern Mediterranean

A subsidiary purpose was tv help Italy, who had not been going any too well in Albania. Herr Hitler had described how well the Italians had done. He congratulated them on “weakening the Greeks.” Forty-live millions weakening seven millions I “I do 'not suppose a more insulting tribute has ever been paid to any ally,” said Mr.. Eden. The Advance to Benghazi.

"On February 8,” he said, "our forces entered Benghazi. In view of tlie need for resting the men and refitting and refuelling the vehicles there was not the possibility of prolonging the advance to Tripoli. The previous plan had been to halt after Tobruk and make the western flank- there, but it was rightly decided to seek the further brilliant advance to Benghazi.

“On the same day, February 8, a Note from the Greek Government reached Britain confirming its determination to resist German aggression. It told us that Greece had united her fate with ours and would fight till final victory. It asked us to consider what help we could give and the conditions in which we could give it.

“It was not a cry for help. It was a statement of the Greek position and a request that we should state ours. “In the face of these conditions the Government decided to maintain the decision previously arrived at—to hold the desert advance at Benghazi and prepare a force to go to the help of Greece. This involved diplomatic and military problems and the Chief of tlie Imperial General Staff. General Sir John Dill, and I set out us envoys." Diplomatic Moves In Middle East Mr. Eden recalled that with the 'collapse of French resistance, the Brltisli were left in a position of the utmost difficulty and gravity in the Middle East, where the three main _ armies were French—in Syria. Tunis, and Jibuti. “Our forces,” he said, "were relatively small, with a serious shortage of equipment, and in the late summer the Government was deeply exercised by the situation. After General M oveil had come home for consulation the Government took the decision to take great risks to reinforce that army and there were sent out. -armoured units, men, material and aircraft, aud it was that, equipment and those weapons which enabled Generals Wilson and O’Connor, in their desert advance, to secure such a brilliant success. On their arrival in Cairo, Mr. Eden trod Sir John Dill found tlie three Comihanders-in-Chlef in complete agreement with the policy of supple-menting-the help which had already been sent to Greece in the autumn by the dispatch of -land formations, leaving in Cyrenaica forces sufficient to meet anything expected there. With the exception of Admiral Cunningham, who had one of his occasional appointments With his elusive enemy, all the participants m these conversations visited Athens. Attitude of Greece. "On our arrival,” said Mr. Edeu. 1 received a message that tlie King and the Prime Minister wished first to see me alone. They once more made it abundantly clear that Greece was determined to resist Germany ns she had the Italian aggression. "The Prime Minister added that whatever the hopes of repulsing the eueniv. Greece would defend her national territory even if she could count only upon her own forces. We were deeply impressed by the courage ami loyalty shown by Hie Greek lenders. "The decision io establish the British and Greek forces on tlie short Aliakmon Line, which afforded a reasonable chance of holding tlie German advance, was speedily reached in com plots agreement between the military experts, one of the considerations weighing against tlie other alternatives being the uncertainty about Greece's northern neighbours. "In this war we are fighting not for gain but for causes and Greece's is Hie embodiment of these causes. 1 believe that had we not gone to her help wo could not. have raised <>nr heads again. .- "We had the advantage ot consulting in Cairo that most wise statesman and tried warrior. General Smut.-- He. too. was in complete agreement uiHi the decision arrived at." Greece’s Message To Britain Mr. Eden then read a reply Io a message from Hie House ot Commons congratulating Hie Greek Government on the valour and actions of its troops: “T thank you for your cordial message. Please assure the House of Commons and Hie British people that their eulogies of Hie Greek army will touch the hearts of our whole nation We will never forget Hie loyal ami courageous help which Hie British and Imperial troops gave lo onr soldiers in Choir defence of their native land.

Our allies showed themselves worthy to rank with the ancient heroes of Thermopylae and to write in letters of gold in the glorious pages of -British history. I desire once again to assure you that we will continue the struggle by the side of our. great ally, the noble people of the British Commonwealth, till victory is won and the triumph of the ideals of liberty, morality. and international justice is achieved.” Turning to tlie importance attaching to the policy pursued by Yugoslavia. Mr. Eden said that what was needed was a common plan offering tlie best chance of resisting an attack together. Every effort to secure it failed till the moment of the coup d'etat. In fact mobilization was not proceeding fast enough and it was not again till the coup d’etat that the new Government of General Si.tnovitch made a real immediate effort to get the armies ready. It was then too late.

Position of Yugoslavia.

•‘Had the Government that preceded that coup d'etat clearly understood its country’s true interests, as had the Government of General Simovitch, the whole story might have been different.” said Mr. Edeu, “but none of these things can detract from the courage of rhe decision that tlie Yugoslav people eventually took. "We have pledged ourselves to redeem Yugoslavia’s independence and that pledge will be honoured.” Passing to the conversations with Turkish statesmen. Mr. Eden said that they enabled them to discuss the Balkan situation fully on a basis, of firm mutual confidence. The Turkish Government was informed as an ally of otir plans in connexion with Greece. It was naturally cognisant of developments in Yugoslavia. "I was throughout impressed,” said Mr. Eden, “by "tlie loyal friendship shown by all the Turkish statesmen we met aud by the determination they and their people showed to stand firm against any menace to their sovereignty and any encroachment or. their rights and interests. "The importance of Turkey’s role as a bulwark against further aggression in the Middle East is obvious. I am sure that loyalty to their alliance is. as ever, the basis of the Turkish Government’s foreign policy.” Trouble In Iraq .Referring lo Iraq, Mr. Edeu said the trouble there was of great concern to Turkey and Britain. Unconstitutional action by Rashid All had largely led once to his fall. When later he seized power again, Britain could not see how this or any other event iu Iraq should deprive her of her intention to land troops at Basra and open up lines of communication through Iraq iu accordance with tlie terms of the treaty. ‘‘Nothing can excuse Hie action of the Iraqi military leaders in first accepting and then challenging our clear treaty rights,” said Mr. Eden. "This country has a record of which it has no need to be ashamed iu its dealings with the Arab peoples, and above ail with Iraq. It was we who ensured the independence of modern Iraq. It is we who have assisted her and in every respect kept our word. "I do not propose now to describe in detail the events of the last few days, but only to make plain to the world our present position. A e are very grateful for the offer of good offices. by Turkey and Egypt; Our position is as follows: The first requisite is the withdrawal of the troops from Habbania and the cessation of hostilities against His Majesty’s forces in Iraq. When this has been done and fighting between allied nations in consequence lias ceased, Britain will be prepared to discuss fulfilment of her treaty rights, which she must make plain she in all circumstances is determined to maintain. Counsel to Arabs. "One word of friendly counsel lo our Arab friends in all lands—no people have more reason to fear an Axis victory than those who dwell in the Arab lands." Mr. Eden said that iu all recent history there had been no rule more cruel or more ruthless than that imposed by Italy on Arabs living iii Libya. "Arabs in any land," he said, "must know that the approach of Axis rule means the end of their liberties, which they have jealously guarded” i Mr. Eden told the story of two British soldiers who had been captured in northern France and were transferred to a prison camp in East Prussia. From that camp they escaped and travelled all through Poland, across Hungary. ■ through Yugoslavia and thiough Greece to Athens. They could speak no word of any language but (heir own.

“They are at this moment. I believe, with their units in the 'Western Desert in Egypt." Mr. Eden said. "That journey was'iiot only a fine teat by the men concerned but it was only made possible because in each one of those countries there are thousands, nay millions, of people longing for an opportunity to help the British to victory because Herr Hitler, though he may rule the minds of these people, cannot rule their hearts.”