Guarantees India’s Loyalty

Northern Advocate, 30 January 1940, Page 6

Guarantees India’s Loyalty

[Special to ‘‘Northern Advocate ”] NAPIER, This Day.

An assurance of the loyalty of India to the Allied cause, despite internal political dissensions, was given by Lord Willingdon in the course of two public addresses during his visit to Napier. “You may hear all sorts of things about the difficulties in India,” he said.

“There may be political troubles, but, in the main, I can safely guarantee that the loyalty of the Indians to Britain is such that they will do their utmost to help in promoting ultimate victory of the Allies. “If the Indians believe you are making an effort to help them, their devoted loyalty is yours.” Congratulates N.Z. Lord Willingdon congratulated New Zealand on its part in the war to date and mentioned especially the part played by the Achilles in the action against the Graf Spee.

New Zealand, he said, had been well represented in that action, which, according to opinions quoted privately to him in London by admirals and other leading authorities, would rank as .one of the greatest historical naval actions.

Britain’s aim in the war, said Lord Willingdon, was clear.

“We find Czechoslovakia and Poland being dealt with by Germany in a way which makes it perfectly clear that what we are fighting for is not material gain, but to secure civilisation against a reversion to barbarism, and the struggle of Christianity against Godlessness. Our Diplomacy Not So Good. “I am going to admit quite frankly—and I am not an official, nor do I belong to any party—that I do feel some of our diplomacy of the past few years has not been of the highest. “Nevertheless there is no man who has worked more heroically for peace than the British Prime Minister.

“It is clear you cannot trust Hitler’s word.

“It is clear he is going to grab every part of the world he can.

“When Czechoslovakia and then Poland went, there was nothing else for it but war.

“I have no hesitation regarding its outcome, especially if some of the neutral countries, who agreed with our point of view, see in time that they must join us.

“But —and this is all-important—we must not evade the seriousness of it all.”