EUROPE'S FUTURE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 10, 11 July 1940, Page 12

EUROPE'S FUTURE

DEPENDS ON BRITAIN

DOMINANCE OF THE NAVY

"BARK OF BJG GUNS"

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received July 11, 2 p.m.) RUGBY, July 10

In a broadcast this evening, the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr. ,R. A. Butler) said that the future picture of Europe would depend entirely on the British people's own action during the coming weeks and months. "Complications in the European scene may develop which will draw the attention of our enemy away from us," he said. "But these will more likely appear if our bearing is resolute and definite."

Referring to the fact that there are in London, the Polish, Norwegian, and Netherlands Governments, representatives of the Czech and Belgian peoples, and the French National Committee, Mr. Butler said: "We have a miniature Europe in London. We are guardians of the traditions of all these people. Now we cannot but face the challenge before us with a thrill. We are the outpost of Europe, the last land to which exiles can flee. We are the outpost for our Empire. We are the outpost for the American continent and. for the world. We must not and cannot fail all these who depend on us." We are not a blockaded or beleaguered island. The flow of exports and imports between us and overseas countries has remained at the high level of a year ago and this is a very remarkable tribute to the success of

bur sea control."

Germany would certainly have her hands full in taking suddenly on her shoulders all the problems of Europe. Was it to be supposed that France would forget her old independence and settle down to act as. food supplier for Germany? Subject nations such as the Poles and Czechs, were to work for Germany and Denmark and Holland were, to feed her.

"We already hear of strong German measures of.repression being taken against the Dutch, who have. shown too "much independence," he said. "Besides these difficulties in holding down subject peoples, Germany will have to face the old major rivalries between Powers. Italy . and Russia will each have their view. about the Balkans. Spain will have her own tradition of pride and independence. There.will be varying views about'the Dardanelles. "There will be several voices in the Mediterranean, and the loudest will be the bark of the big guns of our battle fleet." '...■'

Concluding, Mr. Butler said:,"ln contrast with the German idea of a Europe dominated .by a single Power, we, in company with all those countries who value their independence, know that the. victory of the British. Commonwealth of Nations, will riot bring ruin to any State, wili not interfere with the free activities of any country, will not, put an end to anyone's liberties, and will not hamper any industrial enterprise."

"All eyes are fixed on us as the guardian of the conscience of a free Europe," said Mr. Butler. "Moral forces will gradually come to the aid of our rising strength.and liberty will gradually peep through. To. fulfil our mighty task the complete revitalising of our life must proceed. No ancient privileges must impede our smooth working together. Life and change must go deep into our nation, so that there emerges from this trial no less than a new, model England, finding out through our old traditions and through our present experiences the new way of life for which many of us have been dreaming and planning."