“MY DUTY PLAIN”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24296, 13 May 1940, Page 8

“MY DUTY PLAIN”

MR CHAMBERLAIN RESIGNATION OF OFFICE UNITED FRONT ESSENTIAL SUPPORT FOR NEW LEADER < British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, May 10. Giving what he described as his last message from 10 Downing Street, Mr Chamberlain, in a broadcast this evening, said that by the invasion of Holland, Belgium, and Luxemburg, Herr Hitler had perpetrated one of the most horrible crimes in all history. No man, Mr Chamberlain continued, in all history was responsible for such a hideous total of human suffering or misery as was the Nazi leader. “ If he has chosen the moment When he thought this country to be in the throes of a political crisis,” Mr Chamberlain said, “if he counted on our internal divisions, he has miscalculated the spirit of this people.” Stating I hat he intended to make no comment on the House of Commons debate, Mr Chamberlain said that after it was over he had no doubt in his mind that some new and drastic action would have to be taken to restore confidence and carry on with the vigour and energy essential to victory. “It was clear that at a critical moment in the war what was needed was the formation of a Government which would include members of the Labour and Liberal Opposition, and thus present a united front to the enemy. What had to be ascertained was the conditions which would be necessary to enable such a united front to be formed, and to this question I devoted myself, with the assistance of my colleagues yesterday afternoon.” “ It was apparent that the essential unity could be secured under another Prime Minister, but not under myself. My duty was plain; I sought audience of the King this evening, and His Majesty was pleased to ac.cept my resignation. His Majesty has now entrusted to my friend and colleague, Mr Churchill, the task of forming a new Administration, and in this task I have no doubt that he will be successful.” His colleagues, he continued, had placed their resignations in Mr Churchill’s hands. After referring to Mr Churchill asking him to be a member of the War Cabinet, Mr Chamberlain continued that he had striven for peace until the last hope vanished and war could no longer be avoided. He reminded his hearers of his broadcast on September 3, when he told the British people they would be fighting against an evil thing. “My words have proved to be insufficient to describe the vileness of those who have now staked everything on the great battle now beginning. Perhaps it may be at least some relief to know that this battle, though it may last for days or even weeks, has ended the period of ’waiting and uncertainty. “For the hour has come when we are to be put to the test, as the innocent people of Holland and Belgium and France are being tested already; and you and I must rally behind our new leaders, and with our united strength and unshakcable courage fight and work until this wild beast that has sprung un out of his lair upon us be finally disarmed and overthrown.”