WAR NEWS

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4482, 27 August 1940, Page 1

WAR NEWS

CHURCHILL SPEAKS IN COMMONS Rt. Hon. AVinsiton Churchill opened the House of Cbm mows debate with a comprehensive review of the war situation. One subject dealt with was the blockade . Mr Churchill said: “It is our intention to maintain and enforce a strict blockade, not only of Germany but of Italy, France and all other countries that have fallen into German power. I read that Hitler has also proclaimed a strict blockade of the British Isles. No one can complain of that. AA'bat, indeed, would be a matter of general complaint would be if we were to prolong the agony of all Europe by allowing food to go in to nourish the Nazis and their war effort or to allow food to go in to, the subjugated peoples which would be pillaged by their Nazi conquerors-. There have been many proposals! founded on, the highest motives that food should be allowed to pass the blockade for the relief of these populations,. I regret that we must refuse these requests. The Nazis are boa-sit-ing that they have created a 'new and unified economy in Europe. They have repeatedly stated they possess ample food reserves and they can, feed captive peoples-. In a German broadcast (on June 27 it was- said that while Mr Hoover’s plan for relieving France, Belgium and Holland deserved commendation., the German forces had already taken the- necessary steps. AVe know that in Norway when the German troops wont in there were food supplies to last for years. AA r e know that Poland, though mot a rich country, usually produced sufficient food for her people. Moreover, other countries which Hitler invaded all held considerable stocks when the Germans entered and are themselves very substantial food producers.

THIS AND LAST WAR

Mr Churchill had begun with a conn pans on between the character of this and the last war. Last time mem fought by hurling masses of steel at one another. Thisi was a conflict of strategy. organisation, technique science, mechanics and morale. The British c a sullies in the first year of

the Great AA'ar were 365,000. The first year of tills war was towing to a close, and the British killed, wounded. prisoners and missing, including civilians.- :numbered 1)2,000, of which a large proportion were prisoners. Throughout all Europe for one man killed or wounded in the last twelve months perhaps five were killed or wounded in 1914-15. .One of the ways to bring the war bo a speedy end is to convince the enemy by deeds- that we.have both the will and the means not only to go on indefinitely, but to strike heavy and unexpected blows. The road to victory may not be so long as we expect, but we have no right to count upon this. Be it long or short, rough or smooth, we mean to reach our journey’s end. Mr Churchill paid eloquent tributesto the Royal Air Force —to the lighter u-Botsi and to the bomber squadrons who had been travelling far into Germany and had inflicted shattering blows upon the whole technical warmaking structure of the Nazi power.

BRITAIN STANDS FIRM

ISLAND BRISTLES AATTH GUNS Rehearsing the “cataract of disaster” which had poured out upon the Allies since the new Government was formed in mid-May. AH- Churchill said: “If we had been confronted at the beginning of May with such a prospect it would have seemed, incredible that at this point of the .period of horror and disaster we should stand erect sure of ourselves, masters of our fate, and with the conviction of final victory burning unquenchable in our hearts. Few would have believed that we could survive. None would have believed we should today not only feel stronger, but should actually be stronger than we have ever been before.”

“Let us see what happened. The British nation and British Empire, finding themselves alone, stood undismayed against disaster. No one (linched or wavered —may. some who formerly thought of peace now think only of war. Our people are united and resolved as they have never been before. Death and ruin have become small things- compared with shame of defeat or failure in our duty. It may be that even greater ordeals lie before us. but we will face whatever is coining. AA'c are sure of -ourselves and of our cause. Here is- the supreme fact.”