PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 November 1939, Page 7

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

REVIEW BY MR. CHAMBERLAIN REFERENCE TO SOVIET POLICY [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] (Recd. November 3, 10.45 a.m.) RUGBY, November 2. Mr. Chamberlain, in his weekly war survey in the referring to M. Molotov’s speech, which he imagined had occasioned some disappointment in Berlin, said that Britain considered w interest the definition of the Soviet’s future aims which itc • Recalling M. Molotov’s speech on May 31, in which JJ. Molotov pronounced Russia’s intention to “stand for peace: and L? , . tion of any sort of development in aggression, Mr. Chamberlain said that Britain had stated her war aims in plain terms, and lam confident that they are fully appreciated by the great majority oi the nations of the world.’’

Mr. Chamberlain, after quoting M. Molotov’s speech of May 31, added: “That is also the position of the British Government, and I am not disposed to disturb myself over the flights of fancy in which M. Molotov indulged when describing the Allies’ aims.” Referring to the war situation, Mr. Chamberlain said: “Activity on the French-German frontier has been confined to the action of local raiding parties, and occasional artillery fire. Despite exceptional cold and wet weather the British Expeditionary Force has continued to work diligently at its task of strengthening the defences in its section of the line. “We must not forget our numerous garrisons overseas. Though distant from the immediate scene of war, and without the stimulus which its proximity provides, they have to maintain constant vigilance, and perform a routine of duty which can never be relaxed.

“The war at sea has been comparatively uneventful. Nothing has occurred to shake our confidence in our ability to overcome the submarine menace.

> “During the week, there have been a number of encounters with German aircraft, either engaged in reconnaissance work or in attempted attack on convoys. No damage was sustained in these encounters, either by our aircraft or ships. The enemy, on the other hand, suffered some loss, and the net result has been to confirm the high opinion we already entertained of the quality of our fighter aircraft and the skill and courage of their crews. A particularly-gallant exploit was the successful reconnaissance flight over north-west Germany during the week, when valuable photographs were secured. Some of them were taken at a height of no more than 200 feet, despite a heavy concentrated barrage from anti-aircraft guns.”

UNITY OF EMPIRE.

The Prime Minister described the consultations between representatives of the Dominion and Indian Governments, now taking place in London, as a “striking demonstration of the united determination of the Empire,” and said: “The fuller knowledge which we shall now gain of the plans of the different governments, as a result of the presence of their Ministerial representatives here, will be of great value to us. Equally striking is the wholehearted co-operation we are receiving from all parts of the Empire, including Burma, and from the Colonies. The Colonies have not been forced into the war by Great Britain against their will- The action of so many peoples of various races is witness to their consciousness that the threat to Great Britain is equally a threat to that freedom and well-being that had been assured to them under British rule.”

Although the war effort of the Colonies at the beginning of the war could only be mainly economic, Mr. Chamberlain said he wished to thank all those in the Colonies who have offered personal service. Voluntary offers of service throughout the Empire had so far exceeded Britain’s immediate requirements. In a later passage, the Prime Minister said: “We have had in the past few days a striking demonstration of the determination of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and * India, whence Cabinet Ministers and other representatives have travelled thousands of miles in order to make personal contact with British Minis-

ters, and to see the gigantic effort in which we are engaged. Discussion has already begun, and we are considering with the Dominions Ministers how best to co-ordinate the. contribution each can make in the common task. The Empire has already shown how generous and wholehearted is the spirit of co-operation. We are confident that the Dominion Governments will find that the first-hand impressions of their representatives will afford them invaluable aid in gaining a better appreciation of our common problems, and the best and quickest means of solving them. It is the Government’s intention to employ the Colonial Empire’s manpower as may be most effective, and plans for this are being worked out.”

MR. ATTLEE’S TRIBUTE.

Mr. Attlee, following the Prime Minister, speaking on behalf of the Opposition, also paid a warm tribute to the spontaneous offers of help from the Empire. He welcomed the arrival in England of the Empire delegates, and said he felt sure that the value of the conversations was not limited to the material, but .also touched the spiritual side. e . Mr. Attlee welcomed the Dominion and Indian representatives, on behalf of the Opposition. He that it was of great value, materially and spiritually, that these great democratic peoples should be supporting the common cause. The more Britain consulted them on pressing matters in connection with the war, and the best way of securing and preserving an enduring peace, the better it would be. He supported Mr. Chamberlain’s gratitude at the Empire’s offers of help, and added that it was . a striking demonstration of the strength of the ties ' between peoples of different races, languages, and religions, which depended upon freedom and not on’ compulsion. It was a duty to keep that conception of freedom alive, and to spread it further throughout the whole Empire. Mr. Attlee said it was the Government’s duty to bring home to the people the full realisation of the principles for which we stood. Lord Stanhope', in the House of Lords, made a statement similar to Mr. Chamberlain’s. Lord Snell said the support of the Empire was the best answer to accusations that England ruled by force and brutality. The Dominions would never secede in order to enjoy the more-gentle amenities of the German Reich.

M. Molotov’s speech, Lord Snell continued, had rendered more urgent a closer definition of the war aims, and of the conception of the main principles of a satisfactory peace. Labour support of the Government would depend upon the extent to which it was satisfied that the Government was trying to meet the passionate and legitimate hopes and demands of the Indian people.

DOMINION MINISTERS PRESENT

LONDON, November 2.

For the first time in history, Dominion Ministers sat among British Parliamentarians, when Mr. Fraser, Mr. Casey, Mr. Crerar, Colonel Reitz, and Zafrullah Khan occupied seats adjoining the Dominions Gallery in the Commons, to hear Mr. Chamberlain’s

wai* review. The Speaker later entertained the Dominion Ministers at tea.