FIGHTING ON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24604, 12 May 1941, Page 5

FIGHTING ON

SPIRIT OF LOW COUNTRIES EXILED LEADERS' FAITH ULTIMATE LIBERATION (Rec. 9 p.m.) RUGBY, May 10. Broadcast speeches were made this evening by Queen Wilhelmina, the Grand Duchess of Luxemburg, and the Belgian Prime Minister, M. Pierlot, on the occasion of the anniversary of the German invasion of Holland, Luxemburg and Belgium.

Queen Wilhelmina said the Dutch Empire maintained its efforts to overthrow aggression and from Curacao to New Guinea Dutch ships leave port laden with war materials for the Allied cause. Here the people in Europe could only offer active assistance through those of its forces that escaped from the aggressor's power, but the East Indies freely continued to strengthen its army, navy, and air force. "In the Netherlands," the Queen said, •'my people have found other.ways.of hampering the invader—ways of which I cannot tell you here, but of which I have fresh evidence each day. Hitler has succeeded in invading Dutch territory, but he never succeeded in invading Dutch spirit. In occupied and unoccupied territory there is but one conviction—that our resistance must be absolute." •'"'■'•" A note of'determination and courage and her unwavering belief in a British victory and the liberation of her country characterised the speech of the Duchess of Luxemburg, in the course of which she said: " I trust in the fulfilment of British aims to create world security based on the Christian principles and fundamental ideals of the British commonwealth, where might is not right and where the liberties and rights of the small peoples are equally respected with those of the great." Recalling that this day last year marked the second time in a quarter of a century that Germany had ruthlessly invaded Belgium, M. Pierlot said that to-day, as in 1914, Belgians refused to submit " to the rule of foreign bullies" whom they despised. Speak- , ing of last year's fighting, he said: "After the end of the campaign of 18 days during which the Belgian army with' the gallant B.E.F. fought stubbornlv and desperately against overwhelming odds, our King became a prisoner of war. His uncompromising attitude is a source of inspiration to his people and a symbol of their resistance." Turning to Belgium's continued participation in the struggle, M. Pierlot said that all Belgians outside the occupied territories had been called ud and a new Belgian force was already cooperating on land, sea and air for the defence of Britain. "We have united the considerable assets we had abroad to those of ihe British Empire and all the resources of the Belgian Congo are at the service of our common cause. Our colonial army is taking its part in the brilliant campaign of the Empire fcrces in Abyssinia." COMMEMORATION SERVICE HELD IN CHURCH RUINS (Rec. 9 p.m.) RUGBY, May 10. Standing amidst the ruins of a Dutch church destroyed in a Nazi raid last December. Queen Wilhelmina joined with Dutch men and women, exiles from thencountry, in a service of commemoration. Over (heir heads the flag of the Netherlands flew at half-mast, while all present stood in silence in honour rf those who had given their lives for Holland's salvation and for others suffering for their patriotism in prison or concentration camp. The flag was then run to the masthead and the Dutch National Anthem was sung. PARADES IN EAST INDIES (Roc. 8 p.m.) BATAVIA. May 10. The anniversary to-day cf the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands was celebrated throughout the East Indies by impressive military parades and displays of Air Force strength. It was a striking indication of the preparedness of the East Indies against the threat of aggression.