BRITISH ARMY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23512, 24 November 1939, Page 7

BRITISH ARMY

TASKS IN FRANCE improving defences •MORE ARRIVING WEEKLY MILLION MEN TRAINING By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 23, 7.15, p.m.) LONDON," Nov. 22 Nearly 1,000,000 men were under intensive training throughout Britain, said the Secretary for War, Mr. L. Hore-Belisha, in the House of Commons. When he last spoke on October 11 there were 158,000 British troops in France, and several thousands had followed them every- week since ; ■ By the spring, they would be reinforced by considerable armament. The process of reinforcement would continue until the cause was won. In addition to - the military age classes, over 85,000 volunteers hud been taken into the Army. It would have been impossible to complete the formations in France without the assistance of the men of the Territorial Army, whose peacetime training had justified their generous sacrifice of leisure. Territorials reached France much earlier than in 1914. Understanding Complete In order to win, the enemy must break the Allied defences, on which an assault was awaited with confidence by Marshal Gamelin, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces. The" Allied sea, land and air defences were safely cover-, ing the ceaseless preparations. The Maginot Line was debt-free to the nations owing to France's vindicated caution. The line, s with its underground accommodation and: closely emplaced batteries of guns, extended for 200 miles. Whereas Germany had to defend 200 miles of frontier, France had to envisage the possibility of aggression by Germany along 800 miles from the North Sea to the Alps. "We now share the task," Mr. HoreBelisha added, says a British official wireless message. "There"are French troops in the British parti of. the line and British troops in the French part. The understanding and good relations are complete. ' r Huge Organisation "The sector at present allotted to the British Army, while not comparable with the major system of the Maginot Line, was fortunately provided ; in advance with field works. The task which fell to our soldiers on arrival was to add to and improve upon these, a task which they are undertaking wi&'i a will. "An organisation of great dimensions has been established. Food, clothing, equipment, correspondence and amusements of a whole community are distributed over a distance of hundreds of , miles. "In the initial stages, the British Expeditionary Force consumed 500 tons of petrol a day. Now alternative bases had been established, and additional locomotives would he imported and permanent way laid. Still, it was a question of vehicles and more vehicles. Already Britain had sent to France over 1000 tons of spare parts and accessories. War oi Endurance "It is a war of endurance, a quality ' for which'the British are renowned," said Mr. Hore-Belisha. "Each day finds us stronger, birt -the passage of time has not the. same effect on the enemy's economy. We can afford to choose our opportunity. Our strategy was prede-. terniined, and so is the issue of this struggle." . ... ■' Referring to the fact that the Polish Army had now been resuscitated on ; friendly soil, he said the. cause which they fought so resolutely to vindicate .had attracted like a magnet their countrymen from all parts of the world. Speaking at a private dinner to supporters, the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, said the British fighting ser--1 vices in every theatre of the war were assuming enormous dimensions. "Britain and her Allies were now in a position? to meet any eventuality. Victory would ' reward this common unexampled effort. .

COST OF THE WAR BRITAIN'S HUGE OUTLAY. ALREADY £6,000,000 DAILY PEOPLE URGED TO SAVE (Received November 23,- 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, Novi- 22 In a broadcast to .the nation in connection with the issue of: defence bonds and savings certificates, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John: Simon, stated that thd war' was already costing Britain £6,000,000 a day, says a British, official wireless message.' A wonderful proof of the determination of the nation was afforded by the calmness and readiness with which the sacrifices of the war budget had been accepted. Increased taxation would not pay for more than half the; amount, that was bJng expended this year, hence it was necessary to borrow, he added. Sir John stressed the need for saving every penuy in order to> lend it to the Government. Avoidable spending would help to raise prices unnecessarily. He declared he was confident that with the goodwill of the pedple it . should be. possible to secure a great. contribution to war purposes.

AMERICAN ENVOYS TALKS WITH PRESIDENT (Received Noveiui/er 23, 7.30 p.m.) "WASHINGTON. Nov. 22 "'Commencing early in December, President .Roosevelt will hold a virtual council of ambassadors, including Mr. Joseph E. Davies, Ambassador to Belgium, Mr. Joseph P. Kennedy, Ambassador to Britain, and Mr. A. J. Drexel Biddle, Ambassador to Poland. Probably Mr. William O. Bullitt, Ambassador to France, will also be returning. A succession of talks will extend ovi?r Christmas.

BROADCAST TO AMERICA (Received November 23, 8.10 p.m.) NEW YORK, The National Broadcasting Companyannounced that Mr. C 1 itunbe r 1 ain ifj