Britons Badly Let Down

Northern Advocate, 9 May 1940, Page 5

Britons Badly Let Down

High Commissioners of the Dominions, including Mr W. J. Jordan, were in the crowded galleries when the debate on the Norwegian campaign was continued in the House of Commons by Mr Herbert Morrison (Labour, Hackney). Mr Morrison said that, in the eyes of the world, Britons had been badly let down. “I wonder whether the Government, instead of taking this business seriously, is merely discharging the moral obligation of protecting itself from criticism. “How near must be got to disaster before the Ministry tries to understand Hitler’s psychology?” he asked. “We must understand that we are fighting an enemy not worried too much about neutral rights. “It was most unwise to tell Hitler we were going to lay mines before laying them. We should have laid the mines first and told the world afterwards. Churchill Shield for Chamberlain? “Is Mr Churchill being used as a shield for Mr Chamberlain? “It is unfair to overburden Mr Churchill with responsibility for policy.” Mr Morrison named Mr Chamberlain, Sir John Simon and Sir Samuel Hoare as unequal to the task. More than any other three men they were responsible for not avoiding war. They lacked courage, initiative, imagination and liveliness in the conduct of foreign policy. Lack- of these qualities was again manifesting itself in the actual conduct of the war. “I feel that if these men remain in office we will run the grave risk of

losing the war,” said Mr Morrison, who announced that Labour would divide the House in the evening. Should Have Anticipated Hitler. Mr Morrison, says a British Official Wireless despatch, prefaced his criticisms by declaring that on neither side was the House actuated by partisanship or personal considerations. The issue was far too serious for that. The Government, however, ought to have known enough of the ways and habits, the probabilities and intentions of Hitler to have anticipated this attack upon Norway. Criticising the personnel of the Government, Mr Morrison said that it is felt that the whole spirit, temper and temperament of Ministers had been wrong, inadequate and unsuitable. At the conclusion of Mr Morrison’s speech, Mr Chamberlain rose and said that as head of the Government he accepted the primary responsibility for the Government’s action. His colleagues would not be slow v to accept their responsibilities, but this was not a case of any personal consideration, because no one would desire to hold office a moment longer than he retained the confidence of the House. “This is a time when we are facing a relentless enemy, who mast be fought with united action,” Mr Chamberlain said. No Government, added the Prime Minister, could prosecute the war efficiently unless it had public and parliamentary support. He accepted the challenge of a division, indeed, he welcomed it. “At least we shall see who is with us and who against us,” he said.