EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Evening Star, Issue 23377, 21 September 1939, Page 11

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

REVIEW. BY MR CHAMBERLAIN SOVIET ACTION NOT UNEXPECTED HAS NOT AFFECTED BRITAIN'S PURPOSE INTENSIVE CAMPAIGN AGAINST U-BOATS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 20. (Received September 21, at noon.) “ Events have occurred in the last week of such far-reaching importance that there has not yet been time to estimate their" effect on the fortunes of war and on the attitude of other countries, ” said.Mr Chamberlain in a statement made in the House of Commons on the war situation. “ On September 13 J referred to the relentless German pressure on the Polish army which had so far been frustrated by the indomitable spirit of the Poles. This pressure and this resistance continued during the week and is still continuing in many parts of Poland. The tide of the German invasion eastwards has reached an approximate north and south line through Lemberg and Brest-Litovsk, though there still remain islands of Polish resistance, such as Warsaw, which refuse to be submerged.” The Premier said the Russian invasion of Poland inevitably affected the situation on the eastern front. “ I cannot say the Soviet’s action was unexpected, but it. is still to early to pronounce a final verdict on motives and consequences of the Russian action. For the unhappy victim of this cynical attack the result has been a tragedy of the grimmest character. Referring to Herr Hitler’s speech, Mr Chamberlain said: “ It is not our way to speak with boasts and threats. Perhaps for that reason the German leaders have difficulty in understanding us. But such comments as I have to make in this speech shall not depart from our custom of speaking soberly and quietly. Herr Hitler’s speech at Danzig does not change the position with which we are confronted. Herr Hitler’s account of events could not be accepted as accurate, but contained certain assurances of a kind which in recent years Hitler has repudiated when it suited his purpose. Herr Hitler says much about the humane methods whereby he has waged war. I can only say such methods are.not made humane by calling them so, and that accounts for the fact that the German bombing and machine-gunning of refugees has shocked the whole world.” (Cheers.) (Referring to the Soviet action, Mr Chamberlain reiterated that it was not unexpected. Reviewing Sunday’s events in diplomatic and military fields, Mr Chamberlain reaffirmed that while the full implication was not apparent, nothing that had occurred would make any difference to the determination of His Majesty’s Government to fulfil its obligations to Poland and to (prosecute the war with all energy until its obligations had been achieved. “ The world, which has watched the vain struggle of the Polish nation against overwhelming odds with profound pity and sympathy, admires its valour, which even now refuses to admit defeat. If Britain ind France have been unable to avert the defeat of the armies in Poland, they have not forgotten their obligations to her nor have they weakened in their determination to carry on the struggle.” Mr Chamberlain said Hitler’s speech did not change the situation. A supplementary White Paper to be issued to-morrow would make plain the true course of recent events. REPLY TO HITLER. 'After reviewing the Polish situation, Mr Chamberlain dealt with Herr Hitler’s speech. Among the many misstatements of fact he referred particularly to the assertion that the French Government had agreed to Italian mediation while the British Government had refused it. The replv to that statement was contained in an Italian communique of September 4, which clearly brought out the common attitude adopted by the British and French Governments. Britain did not seek this war. As the published documents showed, Britain repeatedly stated her readiness for a (peaceful settlement by negotiation. She persevered in attempts to secure this up to the end, even after the striking of the first blow, but her efforts w§re set at naught and her hopes shattered by the unprovoked and brutal aggression of Germany, WESTERN FRONT. Referring to the Western Front, Mr Chamberlain said the French continued to make methodical successful progress. The laconic but admirably clear announcements of the French High Command indicated that various strategic and technical objectives had been secured, and the ground gained had been held in the face of increasingly severe German resistance. WAR ON SUBMARINES. Dealing with the war at sea, Mr Chamberlain said the situation had been one of intense, continuous naval activity, mainly in the form of attacks on U-boats carried out by destroyers, small craft, and Fleet Air Arm action under cover of the main Fleets and squadrons. "Whereas In the last war we were on the defensive, we are now carrying out the offensive against U-boats and they are continually and relentlessly attacked whenever they disclose themselves. It is frequently impossible to be certain after depth charges have been . dropped that the submarine attacked had been destroyed, but occasionally there are qujte unmistakable siqns that the vessel has been sunk. i am confident I am understating it when I say that already six or seven submarines have paid the full penalty for their attacks on British ship-

ping. In some cases their crews have been captured. lam quite confident that with the full operation of the convoy system and the rapid increase in the numbers and power of the hunting craft, the submarine menace will dwindle.”

The Prime Minister dealt further with U boat action against British shipping. Occasional blows, such as the Courageous, must be expected, but it was already clear that the Navy and merchant service, by their unceasing efforts, would be able to maintain essential supplies of raw materials and food.

Mr Chamberlain stated that the average weekly loss in the last war was 39 ships, and in the first week of the present war 17, and in the second week 13. Undoubtedly the decrease waa partly due to the working of the convoy system, which was increasingly in. operation.

CUTTING OFF ENEMY SUPPLIES.

Speaking of sea policy, the Prlma Minister said the object was to render ineffective or to destroy enemy warships, and so prevent the augmentation of enemy war supplies from overseas, whilst at the same time protecting British and neutral commerce. “ The interests of neutrals are the same as bur own in war as in peace. We depend for our life upon an. uninterrupted trade flow. It is our fundamental policy to preserve as far as possible the conditions of normal trade. Although the suppression of contraband traffic must inconvenience neutrals, that control is only exercised according to a well-established , principle of international law. Control is only used where there is a good reason to suspect that contraband cargo is designed for the enemy. Neutrals’ normal requirements of goods for self-consumption are not interfered with. The exercise of control over contraband destined for the enemy is subject to the lawful arbitration of a prize court.” NAZI RUTHLESSNESS.

Contrasted with Britain’s strict adherence to the rules of law whereby no loss to neutral life or property is incurred. the German submarine warfare and method of laying mines have already resulted in the death of many persons of many nationalities, and in the destruction of much neutral property.

Speaking on the conduct of the war, Mr Chamberlain said: "It must be re- ; membered that in all military preparations the great initial advantage rests with the aggressor. No country without aggressive intentions can be as quick off the mark as one that kept only one set purpose continually in view—the purpose of aggression.” Mr Chamberlain’s speech concluded; "I will not hazard a guess at this stage of the war as to when and where the decisive force will be assembled or when the decisive moment will arrive* It must depend upon events which no one can foresee. But the scale of preparations and the fact already announced that we are basing them on the assumption that the duration of the war may be at least three years ensures that our strength will increase progressively to meet whatever may come.

\ “ Let me conclude by citing the words of a famous Polish general in bidding good-bye to the recent Allied military mission: ‘We shall fight. A large part of our country will be overrun, and we shall suffer terribly. But if you come in we know we shall rise again.’ ” “ I searched vainly in this speech for a single word that Herr Hitler remembers the brave men who have already lost their lives in this quarrel of his making, or the wives and children deprived for ever of the head of the family because Herr Hitler’s Just for power must be satisfied. Our general purpose in this struggle is well known. It is to redeem Europe from the perpetually-recurripg fear of German' aggression and to enable the peoples of Europe to preserve their independence and liberties. No threat* will defer us or bur French allies from this purpose.” TRIBUTES TO HEROIC NATION BRUTAL DOUBLE ASSAULT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 20. (Received September 21, at 12.30 p.m.) 1 Mr A. Greenwood, Acting Leader of the Labour Opposition, following Mr Chamberlain, said the Prime Minister spoke with firmness, but also with reticence of the change due to the Soviet action. “ Another Power has committed an act of aggression,” he said. “ There can be no doubt as to that! fact, and there can be no doubt that the justification offered is one which reasonable people who have had, as we have had, knowledge of previous acts of aggression could not accept for one moment. But it is difficult to weigh, the reactions and repercussions of Sunday’s events, and speculation is useless."

Joining in Mr Chamberlain’s tribute to a magnificent and heroic nation, Mr Greenwood went on to express regret that it had not been possible to bfing the Allies’ assistance more swiftly to Poland, although, perhaps, no help could have enabled Poland to withstand the joint assault of the German* and Russians. The, fact that Britain was not able to move for her before lay on his conscience. The lesson from this was important—in future the country’s friends should receive certain and generous help. ‘ Mr Greenwood said Herr Hitler failed to understand the mind of Britain. “ He fails to realise that the fact of Poland being partially dismembered and disabled does not weaken,, but strengthens, pur determination.” Mr Greenwood expressed concern lest the dislocation of normal trade afc home in the early days of the war should result in a big increase of unemployment and waste of the available Labour resources at a time when the service of every man and woman should be co-ordinated into a gigantic national effort to bring the war to a successful conclusion —apprehension which was likewise expressed by Sir Archibald Sinclair (Liberal Leader},