LOSS OF LIFE AVOIDED

Southland Times, Issue 23990, 4 December 1939, Page 7

LOSS OF LIFE AVOIDED

Method Adopted By Allies

IMPROVEMENTS TO MAGINOT LINE

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 3, 7.30 p.m.) PARIS, December 2. “The Allies can avoid the launching of a large-scale offensive and still win the war, declared the Prime Minister of France (M. Edouard Daladier), broadcasting. He referred to Germany using barbaric methods in words which the Associated Press of Great Britain interprets to mean that if Herr Hitler starts unrestricted aerial warfare France will answer with the same weapon. “Our armies are fortified in a formidable line from the North Sea to the Jura Mountains, namely the Maginot Line,” said M. Daladier. “They have increased it depth and doubled

its possibilities. Wo have no need to take the initiative in large-scale attacking operations. Our would-be conquerors are willing to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of men in mad offensives, but we are careful to spare the sacrifice of human life as much as possible. We will put down our arms when security is achieved and when we can negotiate with a trustworthy government in Germany.” M. Daladier paid a tribute to the admirable attitude of Italy, which under Signor Mussolini’s initiative, courageously attempted to save the peace. BRITISH CENSORSHIP DEFENDED AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT GIVES EXPLANATION (Received December 3, 6.30 pm.) NEW YORK, December 2. In a long analysis and explanation of the British censorship the London correspondent of The New York Times says that it is no more a serious barrier to the truthful presentation of news than the United States libel laws. It is a straightforward honest rule of law, with nothing sinister, as is daily demonstrated. It implies no suppression, except naval and military secrets. The correspondent gives examples of unfavourable news that the censors have passed and adds that there has been more talk about less censorship in Britain than anywhere in Europe, one reason being that the idea implicit in word censorship is abhorrent to the British, as to the Americans. AEROPLANES REUNITE CONVOY SHIPS SCATTERED BY STORM (Received December 3, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 2, Flying low and battling against bad weather, a Royal Air Force Coastal Command aeroplane shepherded a scattered convoy of merchantmen carrying I 100,000 tons of foodstuffs after the vessels had dispersed because of a storm and a threatened submarine attack. The pilot, after searching an area 50 miles square, discovered two-fifths of the merchantmen and a destroyer escort. He asked for further information with a signalling lamp. He eventually found another two-fifths and finally the remainder and guided them until they were united.