WAR ANNOUNCEMENT

Grey River Argus, 5 September 1939, Page 10

WAR ANNOUNCEMENT

By Mr Chamberlain SCENES IN LONDON. LONDON, September 3. From the Cabinet room in Downing Street, Mr. Chamberlain made his historic announcement to the nation at 11.15 a.m., as follows: — “The British Ambassador in Berlin yesterday handed to Heri’ Hitler a final demand that unless an assurance that troops would be withdrawn from Poland was received by 11 o’clock, a state of war would exist. No reply has been received. Consequently, this country is now at war with Germany. “You can imagine that this is a bitter blow to me—to see my long struggle to sustain peace fail,” “yet I cannot believe that there is anything more or anything different I could have done. It was quite possible to have arranged a peaceful and honourable settlement between Germany and Poland if a spirit of conciliation had been evidenced on the part of Germany. Herr Hitler’s terms were never shown to Poland. He did not wait and his forces marched ['over the Polish border next- morning. I “We have given Poland assurance—i France and Britain —that we will carry out our obligations. We had a 'clear conscience and we did all we i could to secure peace. But the posi- ' tion became intolerable and now we are prepared to play our part with 'confidence,- and resolution.” | The hooting of motor horns greeted the Prime Minister’s announce- | ment of a state of war and there was tremendous cheering. The Home Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare), was the first Minister to leave Downing Street after the declaration, and he Was greeted by successive bursts of cheering. The crowds broke through Whitehall and packed Downing Street from side to side. The police cleared lanes to enable Mr. Chamberlain to leave for Parliament. i Many waited in Whitehall. Big * Ben chimed 11 to a silent crowd.

After making his historic declara-; tion to the nation, Mr. Chamberlain, who was greeted by roar after roar of cheers as he left No. 10 Downing Street, drove down Whitehall to Parliament to make his promised statement at the very opening of the ses-, sion. ' When he spoke in the House the previous night, he said he could not have been other than aware that some parts of the House expressed doubts as to whether there had been hesitation or vacillation on the part of His Majesty’s Government. “If I had been in the same position as members on that side of the House and not in possession of all information, very likely I would have felt the same. The statement I have to make this morning will show no grounds for doubt.” ! After consultation with the French Government, Mr. Chamberlain continued, His Majesty’s Government had despatched a note to the German Government calling on it to suspend aggressive action in Poland and to withdraw its forces. If that was not done, His Majesty’s Government would have no hestitation in fulfilling its obligation to Poland, and a state of war would exist between this country and Germany. A reply by 11 a.m. was expected. “That was the final note,” said Mr. Chamberlain. “No such undertaking was received by the time stipulated. This country is novy at “According to arrangements between the British and French Governments, the French Ambassador at Berlin is making a similar demarche, accompanied by a definite time limit. You are already aware of our plans. As I said yesterday and the other day, we are ready. “'i'his is a sad day for all of us, and for none is it sadder than for me. Everything I worked for, everything I hoped for everything I believed in through my public life, has crashed in ruins., There is but one thing left to me—with what power and strength 1 have, to further the cause for which we have sacrificed so much. I cannot say what part I may be able to play myself. I hope to live to see the day when Hitlerism is destroyed, and so destroy,,.the menace’ to the liberty of Europe.”

■ The intolerable agony of suspense 'from which all had suffered was now , over, said the Acting-Leader of the | Opposition (Mr. Arthur Greenwood). “We all know the worst,” he said. “The hated word ‘war’ has been spoken by Britain. For 54 hours • Poland has stood alone at the portals of civilisation, defending herself and all free nations. She has stood with unexampled bravery and epic heroism. I The Poles are greeted as comrades. j “To Poland, we say, ‘Our hearts i are with you, and with our hearts all ! our power until peace returns to our j midst,’ ” said Mr. Greenwood. “In the most Titanic struggle in the history of the world, Nazism must be overthrown,” he declared. As long as the wpr was fought with relentless vigour, determination, and foresight by the Government, there | would be a united nation. But if there were wavering and deficient 'counsels, other men must be called to take their place. Danzig Annexation BRITISH NON-RECOGNITION. RUGBY, September 1. Britain does not recognise either ( the validity of the grounds on which; ithe action of the Danzig authorities, 1 in proclaiming the incorporation of I Danzig in the Reich is based, or the 'validity of the action itself. [ Herr Foerster was made head of the State by a decree of the Senate of' Danzig of August 23. This decree was contrary to the Constitution of Danzig. Concurrently, the rights secured to Poland in Danzig, by treaty, were continuously and progressively violated, and there was interference with' Polish property and Polish interests] in Danzig. Poland protested against! these various measures, but, in order) to avoid provocation and any increase) in tension, she took no forcible action! to protect her interests. I This morning, Herr Foerster, in his capacity as head of the State, decreed the incorporation of Danzig in the Reich, and asked Herr Hitler to carry out this re-incorporation by the law) of the German Reich. ' | The international status of Danzig ; as a “free city” is established by al treaty, of which Britain is a signatory.

and the Free City was placed under the protection of the League of Nations. The rights given to Poland in Danzig by the treaty are defined and confirmed by agreements concluded between Danzig and Poland. This morning’s action represents the final [step in unilateral repudiation of these international instruments, which, according to their terms, were only modified by negotiation. The Berlin News Agency reports that Herr Burckhardt has gone to East Prussia. The administration of the Mixed Harbour Commission has been placed in the hands of Germans. It adds that the transfer of Danzig to Germany was conveyed by diplomatic representatives there, who will “be given every protection.” j BRITISH MINISTERS. I SERIES OF CONFERENCES. 1 RUGBY, September 1. 1 Ministerial consultations continued at Downing Street this afternoon. The King visited Downing Street this afternoon, the purpose of the visit being to save Mr. Chamberlain a journey to the Palace to make his report on to-day’s Cabinet meeting and other developments. The King reIceived a tremendous ovation from a large crowd. I This is the first time in history that the King of England has journeyed I for an audience with the Prime Minister. Mr. Chamberlain was very 'anxious to see the King, but did not I want to leave the telephone.

BRITAIN FOR WAR. GERMAN CHARGE. LONDON, September 1. The Berlin correspondent of the United Press of America reports that the official D.N.B. news agency in a statement accused Britain of aggression. Tae agency stated: “The British Government desire a European war. Germany is prepared, if necessary, to wage a ten-year war against Britain.” HITLER’S REPLY TO ROOSEVELT WASHINGTON, September 1. Herr Hitler's reply to President Roosevelt’s peace appeals last week was delivered to-day in the third person by the German Charge d’Affaires in a Note to the Secretary of State (Mi' Cordell Hull). The text is:— “By order of my Government, I wish to use your kind intermediary for the purpose of stating to President Roosevelt that his messages addressed to Herr Hitler were greatly appreciates by the latter. The Fuehrer also, on his side, left nothing untried for the purpose of settling the dispute between Germany and Poland in a friendly manner. Even at the last hour the Fuehrer accepted an offer from Britain to mediate in the dispute. Owing to the attitude of Poland, however, all these endeavours remained without result.”

Despite Herr Hitler’s reply to President Roosevelt, asserting that the Fuehrer did everything in his power . to produce a peaceful settlement, Americans genera;ly are convinced that Germany and not Poland was the aggressor. Furthermore, the issues are growing steadily clearer here that an increasing number of Americans now realise that the stakes involved in Europe will ultimately reach out to the United States. The United States, as a neutral Power, received its first warning from Germany against violating its neutral- ! ity in the air over Danzig and Poland, i Neutral aeroplanes are "warned, in their own interest, against flying over, the territories mentioned." It is stat-1 ed the communication was forwarded 1 from Berlin by the Charge d’Affaires ; President Roosevelt has arranged to I address the nation over the three major radio networks at 10 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on Sunday. His talk will probably be informative in character and aimed at allaying I any anxiety. It will outline condi-) tions rather than contain a discussion of positive steps to be taken. — COMPLETE MOBILISATION. LONDON, . September 1. The King, in the Privy Council,' signed proclamations ordering the, complete mobilisation of the Navy, Army, and Air Force. Notices are being posted throughout the country. The. Press Association understands that Parliament is to reassemble at 11 a.m. to-morrow. ' I Callers at No. 10 Downing Street, i this afternoon, included Mr, Winston

Churchill, Sir Kingsley Wood, Airj Vice Marshal Newall, Lord Gort, Sir S. Hoare, Mr. Morrison Mr. Hore Bejlisha, Lord Stanhope, and Lord Chat- ' field. I Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain left No. 10 at 5.50 p.m., and drovb off to Par-. ) liament accompanied by a roll of cheering, and cries, “God Bless You,’ and “Good Luck.” MR SEMPLE’S COMMENT. CHRISTCHURCH, September 3. “I do trust sincerely that wisdom will yet prevail, and that the calamity which threatens us to-day will disappear,” said the Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. Semple), in an address at the opening of a new factory yesterday. Praising the attitude of the British people and rulers in the present crisis, the Minister said: “When the historian comes to write in future the history of the world, Britain can stand at the bar of international justice and say that it did all that man could do to prevent this threatened calamity.” All that New Zealand could do if war came would be done, said Mr Semple. There could, be no two opinions on the question on which depended our liberty and lives. The nation, in the conflict, no matter what the end of it, would be as one,