FACTS TO ENEMY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 25 October 1941, Page 6

FACTS TO ENEMY

CHARGE AGAINST LORD HALIFAX ATTACK IN HOUSE OF COMMONS Tit EASON SUGG ESTED London, Oct. 23. A bitter attack on Lord Halifax was made in the House of Commons during the debate on help j for Russia by Mr Ancurin Bcvan, who accused Lord Halifax of having given the enemy vital information. Recalling Lord Halifax’s statement that British shipping and equipment were insufficient to make invasion of Europe possible, Mr Bcvan said that the statement was made when Hitler was gathering his forces for attack against Moscow. “How far is such u statement removed from high treason?” ht asked. "At the time Lord Halifax’s statement was made it was surely essential that Hitler should have the maximum doubts about Britain’s intentions, vet here was a member of the War Cabinet giving Hitler the information he wanted. Such behaviour lenders Lord Halifax unfit to occupy any office. The time has come for a general reconstruction of the Government and reconsideration of its whole policy." Mr W. Gallacher (Communist) said it was impossible for the present Government, which included men holding common interests with Germany, to give 100 per cent, aid to Russia. Mr Noel Baker (Labour) declared that there was deep and widespread anxiety in Britain about the RussoGerman war. “The public wants to know.” he said, “whether the Government realises the urgency of the position, that Russia is no side-show, and that this may be Hitler’s moment of greatest weakness. The country is ready for any sacrifice to help the Russians. The army wants to fight. The Government can count on absolute support for whatever it commands.” He added: “The public would feel very happy if some part of our | powerful forces in the Middle East could be sent up to support the Russians in the Ukraine. ! Commander Stephen King-Hall said j that amateur strategists were talking i “fantastic nonsense about a second front.” It would be impossible to land I a force in the West until the German j home front began to disintegrate, but there was an appendage called Italy ; which opened up possibilities. ! Colonel Josiah Wedgwood said that ! there were at least a hundred places ! along the coast of Western Europe 1 "where we could make nightly raids.” ]—U.P.A.