BRITAIN’S CAUSE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24431, 17 October 1940, Page 7

BRITAIN’S CAUSE

WORLD ENDORSEMENT FIGHTING TO SURVIVE ASSURED OF VICTORY I British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Oct. 15. The Prime Minister (Mr Winston Churchill) was asked in the House of Commons whether, in anticipation of the time when Britain and her Allies will be in a position to resume the military offensive, he would take an early opportunity of stating their aims in general terms. He replied: “ This is being borne in mind.” Mr Churchill added that the time had not come when an official declaration could be made on war aims beyond the very carefully considered statements which had already been made public. He did not think the opinion prevailed anywhere that Britain was fighting merely to preserve the status quo. She was fighting to survive. “ When our capacity to do that is more generally recognised throughout the world—when the conviction about it becomes more general—then we shall be in a position to take a further view of what we shall do with victory when it is won.” It was urged upon the Prime Minister that an important factor in victory would be the assurance felt throughout the world that Britain stood ready to lead in organising a better world. It was pointed out in reply that there was a great danger in general statements, and Mr Churchill voiced his conviction that world opinion was in little doubt about the British cause and wholeheartedly endorsed it.

Building a New World The question of war aims was subsequently raised on the adjournment, and Mr Duff Cooper, replying for the Government, said that, while everyone was aware for what Britain was fighting, that was a different matter from a formal statement on war aims. Any statement the Government might make must be one which would command the greatest possible unanimity not only among the parties in Britain, but also in the great dominions and among those who were our friends and allies. . The war. said Mr Duff Cooper, was destroying a great part of the political, social, and economic, as well as the material structure of the world, and it would be their duty after victory was achieved to rebuild a better, saner, and more beautiful fabric. It was their duty even now to be thinking how it could be rebuilt. Speaking of the political organisation, the Minister pointed to the British Commonwealth of Nations as a great example for a combination of nations.