LONDON GOSSIP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23897, 26 August 1939, Page 28

LONDON GOSSIP

AN EVENTFUL WEEK ANGER AT THE I.R.A. RESPECT FOR THE MASSED FLIGHTS (From Oub Own Correspondent) LONDON. July 27. A plot to blow up Parliament, a man killed in a bomb explosion at King’s Cross station, the correction of false rumours about an intended British loan to Germany a mass flight of 240 British bombers over France with not a single forced landing, and the greatest troop movements taking place in Britain since the war—all these events have given the man in the street plenty to talk about in one week. Sir Samuel Hoare’s revelation of the modern Guy Fawkes plan was sensational, but the bombing explosion at King’s Cross, involving loss of life, was startling, and has roused the greatest anger. That the I.R.A. should blow up the Houses of Parliament seemed so absurd and fantastic that the general reaction was rather similar to that in the Commons when honourable members cried. “ Hear, hear.” to echoing laughter. On the other hand, the wanton killing at King’s Cross has caused even the mildest of persons to dilate upon what should be done to the I.R.A. If the members of t'- ; s organisation intended to direct sympathetic attention to their cause by using these methods (hev undoubtedly selected the very tvoe to antagonise British people against them. The average person in Britain probablv knew as much about the Irish question as he does about Empire problems—which is very little. Now whatever is known about the IR.A. policy is strongly influenced by cowardly outrages. This temper was reflected in the Commons when the “ 1.R.A." Bill was rushed through the House an hour after the Victoria Station explosion. Members were so angered that the, third reading was completed in about five minutes. One of its results will be the deporting to Ireland of a very large number of suspected persons. “The very basis of this Bill is that there are a number of cases of suspicion, of vital importance in connection with this conspiracy. to which legal procedure is not applicable,” Sir Samuel Hoare said. Power will also be given to the police to make searches without warrants. That £1,000,000,000 Loan

The President of the Board of Trade, Mr R. S. Hudson, who is regarded as one of the strongest personalities in the House of Commons and a decidedly “ coming” man, figured in a sensational sequel to a flock of fantastic rumours, It was said, among other things, that Britain was preparing to loan Germany £1,000,000,000 if she would begin disarming.

When Mr Hudson revealed that he had been talking to his “opposite number” in Germany. Herr Wohltat, and that they had discussed in a private and personal way a plan for co-opera-tion with Germany if she would return to a path of peace, the popular press again showed its often faulty judgment in suggesting that the President of the Board of Trade would be called upon to retire.

Mr Hudson did not retire, and there was never a serious suggestion that he would, for there was a fairly general impression that the private conversation had been, as the Manchester Guardian said. “no more than commonsense.” The gist of the talk was that if it was understood that Britain would not give away any overseas pQssession, nor return German colonies, and would resist by force a German attempt to dominate Europe if Germany would return to the "'path of peace and diplomatic negotiation," would agree to disarmament or arms limitation, and would withdraw from Czechoslovakia: if “ world peace instead of world war ” were assured then Britain would join other countries in finding “loan credits ” for Germany in order to play her part in a new co-operative world. The interesting point about the whole incident was, who was responsible for disclosing the text of these conversations. “That is a question to which I should like to know the answer myself.” Mr Chamberlain said in the House. The Daily Express declared that the leakage came from Herr Wohltat himself and that he told German diplomats and journalists in London that he was in touch with Mr Hudson. “ Ribbentrop’s men passed the news around as propaganda in London and Berlin, with effect,” said the Daily Express. “It was offered to the Daily Express and also to the Evening Standard. Both newspapers refused to print it.” Bombers Over France The most favourable impression has resulted from the massed flights of the R.A.F. bombers over France. This week when the third took place and 240 aircraft took part without a single forced landing, further proof was given of the high standard of both machines and men. Some of the aircraft flew 1600 miles non-stop; others passed over Marseilles and looked down on the blue Mediterranean before returning to England. Various types of aircraft were included in the flight, among them being the Wellingtons, some of which New Zealanders will see for themselves before the end of the year. Fifteen of these aircraft went from Mildenhall, in Suffolk, and they flew for 11 hours at 200 m.p.h. Their crews were up at 5.30 a.m. Over France they were harried by French fighters, and one of the most useful features of the flight was the practice given to the French defence organisation. One of the pilots, on returning, was quite casual about the whole affair. The chief worries, it seemed, were not caused by the aircraft or by the “job it \\as that no smoking was the rule, and the sandwiches were soggy! Twohour shifts were worked, and in their off-duty periods some of the men slept, others read novels; over the Mediterranean one found the sun so hot in the gun-turret that he stripped off his clothes and tried to sun bathe. These flights have annoyed the Germans. So far, however, they have not employed their usual tactics of copying various movements in the •montotalilarian States and giving them a local twist. Many people in England, especially in the R.A.F.. would be interested to learn whether the Axis air fleets could carry out similar mass flights without a single mishap. "Terriers” on the March At the beginning of this week over 50,000 Territorials went into annual camp in various parts of Britain, and by next week 150,000 men will be under canvas. There were unprecedented peace-time scenes by road and rail when the first batch of men were drafted to their various camps; at Burley in Hampshire, 6000 men arrived after most of them had travelled through the night in a mechanised column containing 450 vehicles. An arduous programme is ahead of the men, including manoeuvres on a large scale. Also in camp arc various branches of the Women’s Terntoial services, while the first batch of the Militia have begun their training. Particular interest was taken in the Militia since they are the youths between 20 and 21 called up under the new Act. Everybody is very careful not to mention the word “ conscription.” and a great deal of emphasis has been given to the good conditions .in their camps. Some of the praise, indeed, has been so fulsome that Low drew a cartoon of a Militiaman sleeping blissfully while a sergeant darned his socks. , . . Youths called up under the Act have an option of serving in the Army, Navy, or Air Force. The Admiralty has formed a new Royal Naval Special Reserve for the Militiamen, and when the necessary camps have been completed, it estimates that , about 12,000 men a year will be trained. They will be divided into two classes—men already in seafaring occupations, such as the Mercantile Marine, and others who are “in fact or sentiment connected with the sea.” Men in the Mercantile Marine will be trained to use the types of gun to bo fitted on merchant ships in time of war, and a portion of their time will be spent in trawlers, in which they 1

will practice firing at sea. In the event of war, these men will be available to defend their own ships and the Navy will not be called upon to supply gunlayers and gun crews from its other reserves. *