NAZI “MURDER” AT SEA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21575, 10 February 1940, Page 9

NAZI “MURDER” AT SEA

CALLOUS BRUTALITY CONDEMNED

Prime Minister Reviews War

British Official Wireless RUGBY, February 8. During his review of the war in the House of Commons to-day, the Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain) spoke of the background to the recent meeting of the Supreme War Council in Paris. This larger meeting seemed to him even more valuable and more businesslike than on previous occasions. “I have indeed the impression as the weeks go by, that the council is steadily growing in importance and has become, not merely a convenient means of harmonising the view of the two Governments, but vital in the successful prosecution of the war. M. Daladier has said that the council would now conduct its business almost as if it were the Cabinet of a single Government.

“That is not to say that the Government of either country has in any

way surrendered its responsibility,” continued Mr Chamberlain, “but an understanding has been reached which will prove an essential factor in the eventual victory of the Allies. This time I returned with the conviction that the bond between our two countries is something greater than even the close alliance which common purpose and dangers have enforced. It has become a deep and lasting friendship between the two peoples.

“A short and sufficient answer to every enemy who may endeavour to sow dissatisfaction between us is the phrase which I have heard so often on the lips of our French colleagues: *We are as one’.”

Turning to Finland Mr Chamberlain said that the success which bad hitherto attended Finnish arms had evoked the admiration of the world “We rejoice to think that the help which has been given from this country has been of real value to Finland. and I am glad to say that further aid is now on its way,” said the Prime Minister.

Balkan Conference

“The announcement after the meeting of the Balkan Entente indicated the determination of these countries to do everything in their power to maintain the stability and security of south-eastern Europe.” said Mr Chamberlain. "The decision is most welcome, especially if, as I believe is the case, the other States in southeastern Europe have this important object equally at heart. The British Government warmly sympathises with these efforts, which it sincerely hopes may be attended by success” The Prime Minister also referred to the friendly discussions with the Greek financial delegation which had resulted in satisfactory agreements on a number of financial and economic questions of mutual interest to the two Governments, including the settlement and service of the Greek external debt for the duration of the war.

The Prime Minister said that there had been no change in the military situation on the Western Front. In the air, winter conditions had exposed men and materia] to the sternest test, which had been borne unflinchingly. Mr Chamberlain mentioned the very skilful combined operation by which naval patrol ves-

sels and an R.A.F. flying boat nad succeeded in destroying a submarine which had ventured to attack a con-

The German air attacks on British and neutral ships of increased intensity were claimed by the enemy as a great victory in the war against British shipping. These raids were generally carried out on days when low thick clouds covered the shipping lanes. They were made by aeroplanes singly or in pairs at widely separated points, and it appeared that instructions had been given to enemy pilots to do their utmost to avoid contact with the British defences.

“But on February 3 our fighters were given their opportunity,” said Mr Chamberlain. “The German wireless took the unusual course of admitting that three enemy aircraft out of a comparatively small number operating had been lost, and we know that at least one other was so badly damaged that it probably was unable to reach its base.” The Prime Minister insisted that the successes claimed by Germany for this method of attack bore no relation to the, facts. “Murder” at Sea Condemned Mr Chamberlain went on to condemn the callous brutality of the enemy and dwelt in particular on the attack on the lightship, East Dudgeon. “The only survivor of the crew of eight tells the story in these words,” said the Prime Minister. “ ‘We were not alarmed, because on previous occasions the German pilots waved to us and left us alone, but on this

occasion a bomber dived and suddenly sprayed the deck with machine-gun bullets. Later it dropped nine bombs the last of which hit the ship.’ The dead bodies of seven of the defenceless crew were found next morning on the seashore. The killing of fishermen, merchant seamen and lightship crews in the circumstances which I related is not war but murder.” The Prime Minister concluded: “No one who studies figures can doubt the determination of the British Empire to throw all its resources into the fight against the rule of aggression. We cannot tell how long the fight rnay last, nor what stern trials may yet await us, but we have no reason to be dissatisfied with the opening phases of the war and we face the future with calm determination and unshaken confidence.”