LAWLESS SAVAGERY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 113, 14 May 1940, Page 7

LAWLESS SAVAGERY

MUST BE STAMPED OUT

\

TASK OF CIVILISATION

HALIFAX SPEAKS

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received May 14, noon.)

RUGBY, May 13

The House of Lords was also recalled today and before adjourning unanimously carried a resolution, moved by the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, expressing confidence in the new all-party Administration formed by Mr. Winston Churchill.

Lord Halifax referred to the sudden development of the situation in the last few days and said: "Once again an attempt is made by Germany to strike down two of her small neighbour nations with complete and cynical disregard of traditions and assurances, and even the most elementary principles of international order.

"This crime, following close on the heels of a similar crime- only two or three weeks ago against Norway and Denmark, makes plain once more to the whole world the forces against which the battle is now joined and what price we would have to pay for a German victory. That such an attack should have been launched on the Dutch and Belgian peoples without warning, without pretext of grievance, and in defiance of scrupulously observed neutrality, gives a measure of lawless savagery which it must now be the task of the civilised nations to stamp out."

Lord Halifax continued: "The moment the news reached us of the German assault, bringing to us an | appeal from the Dutch and Belgian Governments,,the British Government immediately promised its full support and the action of the Allied forces was simultaneous. On the Western Front a critical battle is at this moment being fought out." EVERY STRANGE DEVICE. "In the Netherlands the Germans are making a most determined attack to gain control of fortresses by the periodical use oi their air forces and their parachute troops. Every strange device contrary to the laws and usages of war has been exploited. Their parachutists landed disguised, not only in the uniforms of the Allied forces, but also as priests and women. They have been supported, as in Norway, by the enemy within the gates, and fierce fighting is proceeding, particularly in the Rotterdam area. i

"The Belgians are resisting behind their forward defences, and heavy fighting is going on north-west of Liege. Every effort is being made to support the Dutch and Belgians in their struggle by sea, land, and air.

"British and French forces are already engaged with the enemy, and the Allied force- are operating in support of the land battle against the German columns, and many enemy aircraft have beer, shot down.

"In Norway operations against the enemy in the Narvik area are proceeding, and our forces further to the south are in contact with the enemy advances from Namsos."

Lord Halifax also referred to the welcome given the British troops in Iceland. The people of Iceland knew that the British troops were only there to ensure that they should be spared the fate which has overtaken the peoples rf Denmark and Norway.

Lord Snell (Labour), in welcoming the new Government, said the British nation was quite resolved to complete the task it had begun. He added: "We do not hate the German people. We do not want to prevent their natural and rightful development, but we will not tolerate their lust for domination, nor will we tolerate the bred-in-the-bone brutality of their present Government."

The resolution was also supported by the Marques' of Crewe (Liberal) and the Archbishop of Canterbury.