SINGAPORE’S DANGER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20677, 30 January 1942, Page 5

SINGAPORE’S DANGER

DEBATE IN COMMONS PREMIER CRITICISED (Reed. Jan. 30, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 28. During the debate on the war situation in the House of Commons, Commander R. T. Bower (Con., Cleveland) said that Singapore was built to prevent just what the Japanese were doing. Britain had spent £20,000,000 on Singapore within 20 years and it was not going to last 20 weeks. Indeed, it would be a miracle if it lasted another fortnight. We were told that there was not 1 enough shipping to carry supplies to Singapore, but there appeared to be plenty for reinforcements now it was too late. If Singapore fell our only first-class base in the Far East would be wiped out. India would be threatened. ’ Drastic changes would have to be made whether the Prime Minister, Mr. Winston Churchill, wanted them or not. Commander Sir A. R. J. Sonthby (Con., Epsom) described the Government as a personal dictatorship in which Mr Churchill assumed the functions of all Ministers and service chiefs. Referring to the inadequate support for H.M.S. Repulse and H M.S. Prince of Wales, he said: “I have heard it stated that orders were given for an aircraft-carrier to accompany these ships, but Mr. Churchill himself countermanded the orders.' In conjunction with the lack of defences in the Far East, the loss of two capital ships was a major disaster. The real danger now lies in Burma. Unless we Hold it, India and the essential naval bases of Colombo and Trincomali will be in deadly peril."