PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20952, 3 November 1939, Page 5

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

REVIEW BY MR CHAMBERLAIN GALLANT EXPLOITS BY ALLIED AIRMEN ability to overcome the submarine menace (Official Wireless) (Received Nov. 3, 11 a.m.) RUGBY Nov. 2 In the House of Commons the Prime Minister, Mr Neville Chamberlain made his weekly survey of war activities. Referring to M. Molotoff’s speech, which he imagined had occasioned some disappointment in Berlin, he said that Britain had considered with interest the definition of the Soviet’s future aims, which it contained. Recalling M. Molotoff’s speech of May 31, in which he pronounced Russia s intention to “ stand for peace and the prevention of any sort of development of aggression.” Mr Chamberlain said Britain had stated her war aims in plain terms, and “ I am confident that they are fully appreciated by the great majority of the nations of the world.” Referring to the war situation, Mr Chamberlain said: “ The activity on the French-German frontier has been confined to the action of local raiding parties and occasional artillery fire. Despite the exceptionally cold and wet weather the British Expeditionary Force has continued to work diligently at the task of strengthening the defences of its section of the line. “We must not forget our numerous garrisons overseas. Though distant from the immediate scene of war and without the stimulus which its proximity provides they have to maintain constant vigilance and perform a routine of duty which can never be relaxed. “ The war at sea has been comparatively uneventful. Nothing has occurred to shake our confidence in our ability to overcome the submarine menace- “ During the week there had been a number of encounters with German aircraft:, either engaged in reconnaissance or in an attempted attack on convoys. No damage has been sustained in these encounters, either by our aircraft or ships. The enemy, on the other hand, has suffered some loss, and the net result has been to confirm the high opinion we already entertained of the quality of our fighter aircraft and the skill and courage of their crews. “ A particularly gallant exploit was a successful reconnaissance flight over North-west Germany during the week, when valuable photographs were secured, some of them taken at a height of not more than 200 feet, despite a heavy concentrated barrage by anti-aircraft guns.

Flights of Fancy Mr Chamberlain, after quoting M. Molotoff’s speech on May 31, added: “ That is also the position of the British Government and I am not disposed to disturb myself over the flights of fancy in which M. Molotoff indulged when describing the Allies’ aims.” In a later passage the Prime Minister said:—“ We have had in the last few days a striking demonstration of the determination Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India, whence Cabinet Ministers and other representatives have travelled thousands of miles in order to make personal contact with British Ministers and see the gigantic effort in which we are engaged. Help of Dominions “ The discussions have already begun. We are considering with the Dominion Ministers how best to coordinate the contribution each can make in the common task. The Empire has already shown how generous and whole-heartedly is the spirit of co-operation. “We are confident that the Dominion Governments will find that the Hirst-hand Impressions of their representatives will afford them Invaluable aid in gaining a better appreciation of our common problems and the best and quickest means of solving them. “ It is the Government’s intention to employ the colonial Empire’s manpower as may be most effective, and plans for this are being worked out.”