CALL TO ACTION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20152, 23 January 1940, Page 7

CALL TO ACTION

CHURCHILL'S WARNING

“SEEDS OF UNEASINESS” ADVICE NOT WELCOME ATTACK FROM ITALY (Floe. Tel. Copyright—United Tress Assn.) (Reed. Jan. 23, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Jan, 22. A survey of the foreign press comment on the speech of the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Winston Churchill, in which be attacked in inactivity of neutral countries, shows a general tenor of resentment at his alleged interference in the politics of other countries.

The Netherlands press refrains from comment, but such headings are used as: "Sharp attack on neutrals ” “Churchill calls neutrals to arms.”

The Brussels newspaper, Nation Beige says that Belgium never needs a foreign voice, even the friendliest and best intentioned, to recall her duty. “No, Mr. Churchill, Belgium does not surrender to fear. Belgium does not feed' the crocodile. She is ready to defend herself against invasion,” the paper adds.

Authorised sources in Belgium interpret Mr. Churchill’s speech as indicating that Britain has sown the seeds of uneasiness among neutral States in order to make it -effective. It is significant as the first open appeal to neutrals to support Britain whose aim it always was to extend the war throughout Europe. The Berlin press does not report the speeches by Mr. Churchill, and the Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax. “Brickbat at Scandinavia” The Paris press endorses the references to neutrals. The Rome newspaper, Popolo di Roma carried the heading: “Churchill seeks to terrorise neutrals in order to induce them to join the British and French.”

Others papers echo this sent’.men' and cite the speech as justifying the accusation that Britain and France wish to plunge Europe into war. They add: “The aggressiveness which Mr. Churchill ascribes to Germany could more iustly be attributed to the Allies.”

A brickbat aimed at Scandinavia is the Danish interpretation of Mr. Churchill’s remark that small nation: should fulfil their duties to Finland, says a message from Copenhagen. This will not deter Denmark from maintaining neutrality.

The speech is considered to be one of the most important in war-time, but the press, though giving prominence to it, refrains from comment.