READY FOR ACTION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20254, 23 May 1940, Page 7

READY FOR ACTION

ARMY OF BRITAIN FAITH IN VICTORY MINISTER’S ASSURANCE SACRIFICE INVOLVED L; (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 3T5 p.m. RUGBY, May 22. •Jp. a broadcast address to the Empire thus afternoon, the Minister of Information, Mr. A. Duff Cooper, defined the twofold ‘ duty of his office as letting the people know the truth as soon and as fully a_s possible and helping the people of Britain and the Empire to understand the facts so that thfir minds might be prepared for what was to come. Sir. Duff. Cooper described the military situation as “grave, perhaps graver than at any- time in the war 0%1914-18,” but he added: “That does not; mean that defeat is on the horizon. “The war will be won by the Allies arid won all the sooner for the perils anS sacrifices that are being laid upon them,” he declared. jjn describing the position in Belgium and France, the Minister said: “The Allied army in Belgium and northern France, which includes most of?- the British Expeditionary Force, constitutes in, effect a separate front against; the Germans from the miin French Army. Along the Maginot Line and to the south of_the German salient stands the greater part of the army of'France under the leadership of 'the inspired leader, General Weygaiid. - Jin the north, under the same unity of command, the British Expeditionary Force is ready for action. I need not tell you that it is undefeated. Against all assaults of the enemy, it has acquitted ; itself magnificently and its morale is very high.”