UNCONVINCING DIATRIBE

Evening Star, Issue 23377, 21 September 1939, Page 8

UNCONVINCING DIATRIBE

HITLER'S WANTON LYING SHARP REJECTION BY FRANCE PARIS, September 19. The French Govenment, in a statement, declared that Hitler’s speech was an attempt to justify himself before the German people for dragging them into war. The statement accused him of wanton lying, and also with resorting to “ his time-worn manoeuvre ” of attempting to split Uritain and France. “ Tho Allies will never permit Hitler victory, which would condemn the world to slavery and the ruin of moral values,” the statement adds. “ The war will go on until Hitlerism is crushed.” ANOTHER BROADCAST GERMAN FREEDOM PARTY LONDON, September 20. The secret ‘‘German Freedom Party’s ” radio station broadcast last night urging the German people to end the senseless, criminal war into which they have been plunged l by Hitler. “ Germans, the sooner we get rid of our criminal regime the sooner we will have peace. “ Soldiers, don’t fight at the front, but direct your arms against the culP “ Workers, every gun yon make will help to prolong the war. Sabotage the production of arms and you will help our fight for freedom, dignity, and peace.” The announcer asserted that 1,000 members of the Nazi Party and 60 subleaders have already been executed for anti-war activities, adding that there will shortly bo a rising against the regime and the war of aggression. WHITEHALL NOT SURPRISED

REFERENCE TO "SECRET WEAPON" (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON, September 20. Hitler’s speech did not produce any surprise at Whitehall. His reference to a secret weapon does not worry the British Government. Herr von Ribbentrop mentioned that such a weapon existed on a number of occasions, it is believed that Secret Service officers have already discovered plans of the weapon, enabling the defence chiefs to take effective counter-measures. The ‘ Daily Telegraph,’ in an editorial, says: 11 Hitler’s Danzig harangue betrayed, if not conviction of sin, at least an uneasy consciousness that his attack on Poland was badly in need of justification not only to the world, but to his own people. His harangue holds a threat intended to make the flesh creep. ‘The moment may come when we will use a weapon which is not yet known and with which we could not ourselves be attacked ’ The editorial adds: Those who are at war with Germany know that they have -to reckon with frightfulness They won’t be dismayed now any more thai| they were 20 odd years ago.” DISAPPOINTMENT IN ROME NO MENTION OF AXIS NEW YORK, September 20. The Rome correspondent of the New York ‘ Times ’ says Hitler’s speech offers no hope of peace, and there is considerable disappointment in Rome It is noted that he never mentioned the Axis. There is also some uneasiness over Hitler’s failure to make any promises in regard to the Balkans, which is considered in home to be the next danger point. BRITAIN’S FIRST CASUALTY LIST ALL MEMBERS OF THE R.A.F. LONDON, September 20. The Air Ministry has released Britain’s first casualty list, which totals 17. All - are members of the Royal Air Force. It is believed that one. an aircraftsman, has been killed. Three aro prisoners of war, and 13 are miss'"The prisoners of war include a New Zealander, Pilot-officer L. H. Edwards. CANADIAN MEASURES . FORMATION OF EXPEDITIONARY FORGE INTENSIFYING WAR PROGRAMME OTTAWA, September 19. The Minister of Defence (Mr lan Mackenzie) announced that the Government is organising two divisions ot Canadian troops to be available as an expeditionary force if required. The men already enlisted in the Canadian active service force would be permitted to volunteer “ for service in Canada or elsewhere.” The Minister did not reveal the number required, but the normal strength of a British division is 20.000. The Minister also announced that Canada is doubling her naval personnel, intensifying air training and constructing a large number of anti-submarine craft. Britain wanted naval craft, navai personnel, naval facilities, trained air personnel, and technical officers for the medical and engineering services. The Minister said that the British Government's ' first requirement was facilitation of the United Kingdom’s purchases of essential supplies, for which it probablv would be necessary to make Canadian dollars available. This in the first instance would probably involve repatriation of Canadian securities held in London and the granting of credits at a later stage. Stating that the immediate naval programme was the building of small submarine chasers, Mr Mackenzie indicated that further discussions with the British Government would precede any building of larger craft Mr Norman Rogers, Minister of Labour, to-night replaced Mr lan Mackenzie as Minister of Defence. Mr Mackenzie will become Minister of Pensions and Health, and Mr Norman M'Carty Minister of Labour.

PAN-AMERICAN STATES NEUTRALITY CONFERENCE ARRIVAL OF NAZI DIPLOMATS WASHINGTON, September 20. Eight Nazi diplomats arrived at Panama City to “ observe developments at the Pan-American Neutrality Conference on Saturday.” The German Legation is circulating anti-British propaganda in the Panama City Press.

The conference hopes to work out an agreement to avoid three possible dangers:— 1. The establishment of a German submarine base.

2. Revolution in any republic where pro-German sentiment is so great that the country might become a German satellite.

3. Prevention of autonomous separatist movements which are ostensibly American, but of a German nature. The State Department is renewing its efforts to settle the controversy with regard to the Mexican expropriation of British and American oilfields. The situation is embarrassing, as Mexico has broken off diplomatic relations with Britain, which wants an assurance that oil is not going indirectly to Germany.

KEEPING COMMERCE MOVING BRITISH DETERMINATION IMPRESSES AMERICANS NEW YORK, September 20. (Received September 21, at 8 a.m.) American shippers are impressed by Britain’s determination to keep commerce moving, as illustrated by the announcement that the British Government is underwriting eastbound cargoes of all ships bound for England regardless of nationality at the low rate of 2 per cent. Many exporters have already sent cargoes abroad.