The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1940. "It Has Come At Last!”

Northern Advocate, 11 May 1940, Page 6

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1940. "It Has Come At Last!”

<f \V it has come at last.” These words, uttered by the \A/ First Sea Lord when he heard that Germany had " * launched an offensive on the West Front by invading the Low Countries will be re-echoed by countless thousands in all parts of the world. Herr Hitler has added another crime to his list of unmoral actions, and, while the world will not be surprised, there will nevertheless be aroused indignation which, it is to be hoped, will be translated into action. Hand in hand with the announcement of Germany’s offensive comes another which proves that the'British Lion has awakened and that war is to be waged as war in the absolute sense of the word. Mr. Neville Chamberlain has resigned the Prime Ministership of Great Britain, and, at his suggestion, Mr. Winston Churchill reigns in his stead. This development, which will stir the heart of every Britisher, places the coping stone on Mr. Chamberlain’s reputation as a patriot and an honest man. It will undoubtedly exercise a powerful influence upon the Allied conduct of the war, for it is believed that all sections of the British Parliament will now associate themselves in the formation of a National Government which will possess the support of the whole nation. Truly epoch-marking events have occurred during the past twenty-four hours. What the future may have in store no man knows, but the gong has sounded for the commencement of a struggle upon the outcome of which depends the future of the nations. The German Invasion The news that Germany had over-run Luxemburg in the early hours of yesterday morning and crossed the Dutch and Belgian frontiers electrified world opinion, for though it had been expected that Herr Hitler would have no compunction about violating the neutrality of the Low Countries when it suited his purpose to do so, there was doubt whether he would take the risk which such an invasion constitutes, for it is only now that the Allies can come to grips with his armies in what may well be the decisive theatre of war. The offensive begun by Germany is akin to that with which the Great War was opened on the West Front. Luxemburg, a small and inoffensive state, which forms a gateway into Belgium, has been overpowered. This is not a matter for wonder, or an indication of Germany’s ability to contend successfully with the Allies, for Luxemburg is but a pocket principality, with the area of an English county and a population equal to that of the city of Edinburgh,. It possesses no military power and relies upon the non-aggression of its neighbours. Twice in a quarter of a century it has had good cause to discover the peril of such unpreparedness to meet an invader. The possession of Luxemburg undoubtedly gives the German army an initial advantage, but this advantage will be offset by the fact that whereas in 1914 Belgium and Holland were taken by surprise, they are now strongly prepared. In 1914 Belgium was compelled te improvise defences which, as was the case with her fortresses, were unable to stand up to the tremendous battering of Germany’s heavy guns. Belgium, however, aided by the Allies, was able to hold up the Germans sufficiently long to slow down the momentum of the advance and allow preparations to be made which eventually brought disaster to the enemy. Will history repeat itself? There are indications that it may do so, for not only are Holland and Belgium in a position to offer resistance to the invaders, but British and French troops, which have been waiting on the Franco-Belgium frontier for a move such as Hitler has now made, have rushed through Belgium to meet the oncoming Germans. These Allied armies are fully equipped, we are told, with heavy artillery, tanks, and all manner of mechanised armament, and there is probably truth in a report that the German advance has been held up at many points. In the years which have passed since the Great War, air fighting developments have revolutionised warfare. It is this fact which has altered very materially the outlook so far as the invasion of Holland and Belgium are concerned. The Germans have made great use of bombers, and are also despatching troops by air, the parachuting of soldiers behind the defending lines evidently being adopted on a large scale. These have also given Germany an advantage, but it would seem that her air fleets will not be able to repeat their performances in Poland and Norway, for already British and French planes have co-operated with the Belgian and Dutch air forces. This will be unwelcome news to Field-Marshal Goering, who recently boasted that the pressing of a button would mean the destruction of Allied air pr-wer. He will doubtless have reason to revise this statement. Further evidence that warfare along the whole Western Front is likely to be waged is contained in reports that open towns in France have been bombed, and that Germaji bonfbers have appeared over Switzerland, which has ordered general mobilisation. There is general agreement that penetration of the Maginot Line or the Siegfried Line is almost impossible, the only feasible method available being to get round either end. It is this fact which invests with importance the German activity in the Low Countries and the precautions that are being taken in Switzerland.

It is too early to make useful comment upon the fighting which has taken place in Holland and Belgium, and due allowance must be made for modification of reports coming to hand, but it i may fairly be said that Germany is meeting with very solid opposition, which, as in the case of the Great War, may determine the result of the vital struggle obviously about to begin on the battlefields of Europe. Hitler's Perfidy Though Hitler’s record has prepared the world for any despicable action on his part, the invasion of the Low Countries, which have observed neutrality in the completest sense, has horrified public opinion the world over. It has proved beyond question that so long as Hitlerism is in power no small nation will be able to maintain independence. It is the Allies’ purpose, in taking up arms, to preserve freedom for small nations, and Germany’s latest crime will surely bring to neutrals a realisation that it is only by ranging themselves alongside the Allies that their independence can be ensured. Mr Chamberlain's Resignation Germany’s invasion of the Low Countries, following \ipon the memorable decision of the House of Commons during the week, has decided Mr. Chamberlain to rqpign the Prime Ministership of Britain. He declared, in a broadcast speech to the nation which could not but make a deep impression upon all hearers, that he felt it necessary, in the nation’s interest to relinquish office. He had tried to induce the Labour and Liberal elements in the Commons ,to join in a National Cabinet, but they had refused to do so save under a new Prime Minister. Therefore, said Mr. Chamberlain, he had recommended the King to invite Mr. Churchill to form a Government. Mr. Chamberlain’s willingness to sacrifice himself in the interests of the nation should be regarded as a clarion call to every member of the British Empire to put aside every selfish and partisan thought and co-operate wholeheartedly in fighting a war which must be won if liberty is to be enjoyed. ' Mr. Churchill’s appointment as Prime Minister is to be welcomed. There is no man in sight better qualified for the tremendous task which devolves uppn the Prime Minister of Britain,