EMPIRE’S EFFORT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 239, 6 September 1940, Page 8

EMPIRE’S EFFORT.

IMUST NOT RELAX. PREMIER;S WARNING. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph —Copyright, i Received September 6,. 1.55 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 5. “The great and growing armies in this country and the winter with its storms, fogs, and darkness may alter conditions, but some changes cut both ways. Unrelaxing effort and wise precaution are both necessary to save our lives and serve our cause,” declared-the Prime Minister (Mr Churchill) in the course of his survey of the war in the House of Commons. - Referring to air raid casualties, Mr Churchill said:, “Nobody would pretend these are losses Which, even if multiplied thrice, would be serious compared with the majestic world issues at stake. Even if the average air attack is trebled—which is most unlikely—we will withstand it and emerge stronger in the air than before. “We must expect heavy fighting in the Middle East before very long. Some ships in the Mediterranean have called at Malta and landed supplies for the valiant garrison.” j >; Mr Churchill said he- liad 'always thought South Dobruja should be restored to Bulgaria and he had never been happy about Hungary’s treatment in the last war. “Rumania has undergone severe mutilation,” lie said. “We don’t propose to recognise territorial changes unless they occur with the free consent and goodwill of the parties concerned.

“Nobody can say bow far Hitler s empire will extend before the end of the war, but I have no doubt it will pass away as swiftly—perhaps more swiftly—than Napoleon’s.” SHALL NOT SHRINK. Referring to the air war, Mr Churchill said the Germans claimed to have destroyed 1921 British planes in July and August. Actually, we lost 558, and our loss of pilots was happily very much less. “If there is to be, as suggested in a recent oration, a contest of nerves, willpower-, and endurance in which the whole of the English and German people are to engage, then, be it sharp or long, we shall not shrink from it,’- declared the Premier. “We believe the spirit and temperament bred under freedom will prove more enduring and resolute than anything which can be got from the most efficiently enforced mechanical discipline. I don’t agree that after September 15, or whatever is Hitler’s latest date, we will bo free from the menace ot deadly attack from overseas.”

RELATIONS WITH RUMANIA. Lord Halifax, in the House of Lords, stated that Britain had informed Rumania that, in view of her actions against the interests of AngloRumanian trade, we felt ourselves entitled as a reprisal to hold up Rumanian ships. In the event of Italian action clearly threatening Greek independence, Britain would feel bound to lend Greece all support in her power. Lord Halifax said Rumania had been forced to 'accept an arbitral award imposed by the Axis whereby she was forced to cede two-thirds of Transylvania. Britain’s attitude had always supported modification of the status quo provided the modification was just and equitable in itself, and was reached by free and peaceful negotiations, and without aggression or compulsion.