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THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 10, 1940.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN
PREPARED TO RESIGN
MR. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN saying goodbye to No. 10,
Downing Street?
ROOSEVELT
PREPARING SENSATION
Washington, To-day.
THE RESIGNATION OF MR. CHAMBERLAIN WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS
WAS IN LONDON LAST NIGHT REGARDED AS VIRTUALLY CERTAIN. Long conferences yesterday between the Prime Minister and his leading ad- visers and supporters were followed in the evening by an invitation to Mr. C. R. Attlee, Leader of the Labour Opposition, and Mr. Arthur Green- wood, Deputy Leader, to No. 10, Downing Street.
At the conclusion of a conversation lasting 45 minutes, Mr. Chamberlain's resignation hinged only upon one thing, the willingness of the Labour Party to participate in a National Government under a new Prime Minis-
ter.
The names of Lord Halifax, Mr. Winston Churchill and, ENEMY'
strangely, Mr. Lloyd George are mentioned as Mr. CONVOYS
Chamberlain's successor at No. 10.
It is understood that at the meeting between the Prime TORPEDOED
Minister and the Labour leaders, Mr. Chamberlain ask- ed them whether they were prepared to serve in a re- constructed government under his leadership, and, if not, whether they are prepared to serve under the leadership of another member of the Conservative Party, Reuter learns that the reply of the Labour leaders was that
service under Mr. Chamberlain was impossible. That, incidentally, is the view also St. James's Park, Mr. Chamberlain held by the Opposition Liberals head- spent yesterday morning at "No. 10," Sinclair, who receiving visitors and consulting his yed by Sir Archibald
would also be invited to participate. advisors. He then went to, Parliament, On whether or not the Labour Party In the afternoon, in his private room, will be prepared to join an All-Party he received a deputation of four Con Government under other leadership servative back-benchers who put for- depends the issue.
ward their view.-Reuter.
A decision will be made finally at a meeting of the Party Execu- tive to be held in Bournemouth to. day.
Form Of Questions
The form of the questions put by
The subject of President Mr. Chamberlain to Mr. Attlee and Roosevelt's address to the Mr. Greenwood may be taken as American Scientific Congress clear indication that the Prime Minis- to-night is being kept a close ter is now willing to resign if such secret at the White House.
It is not questioned that President Roosevelt will deal largely with for- eign affairs, and it is difficult to see how he can keep off the subject of the European war.
President Roosevelt himself ob. viously regards the speech as Im- portant because he began its com- position as early as Tuesday when he cancelled his press conference on
that score.
The Washington "Times-Herald,"
comments that the President is cloak-
action would lead to the formation of a new National Government satisfac- tory to all parties.
Lord Halifax and Mr. Winston Churchill were present at the in- terview..
"
It was indicated later that the Prime Minister would not be seeing the King until after the Labour Party
London, To-day. An Admiralty communique announces that British sub- marines have had further successes in their operations against enemy transports and supply ships.
In an attack on a convoy of 10 enemy ships, six tor- pedoes found their mark.
on another Three hits were made convoy änd two on a third convoy.
One ship sailing independently was torpedoed and sunk. Another was driv- en ashore and destroyed by gunfire and torpedo.--Reuter.
SWEDEN DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY THE COMMONS DEBATE
Stockholm, To-day.
THE "NYA DAGLIGT ALLEHANDA” says the most remarkable feature of the first day of the Com- mons debate was not the energy of the opposition nor the calm statement of facts by the defence.
decision on participation had been Rather was it that a belligerent country allows such
made known, and nothing niore expected until late to-day.
Departure Nearly Certain
is
open yet restrained discussion.
The "Social Demokraten" thinks there is no doubt England will emerge corres-stronger than before from the present
de-
Government crisis.
ing his diplomatic manoeuvring in the Reuter's Parliamentary closest secrecy, but veteran observers pondent learns that last night's are convinced he is charting a sen-velopments, accelerated by the sational course.
speeches in the Commons, make the departure of Mr. Chamberlain almost certain.
The President appears to be moving on two fronte-In the Pacific through the Fleet and in Europe. through Rome and, probably, the VaticanReuter,
COMMONS ADJOURNS
London, To-day. The Commons agreed to a resolu- tion for the adjournment for Whit- auntide until May 21 after the Prime Minister had given an assurance that the Government would not hesitate to advise the Speaker to ask for the recall of the House at the earliest pos~ sible moment-if any circumstances, either internal or external, make it desirable.
the
the
The Prime Minister also stated that he would be glad to arrange for a debate on economic, aspects of war when the House resumes, session to be held in secret-British Wireless,
The most likely names,
from which the new. Prime Minister will be selected, were, considered late last night to be Lord Halifax, Mr. Church!!! and Mr. Lloyd George. For various reasons, including the possible complications arising from the fact that Lord Halifax is a mem- ber of the House of Lords; the most likely.,selection is felt to be Mr. Churchill.
Although the decision about Lab- our cooperation In an All-Party Gov. ernment is a matter for the Party Conference, it is believed that Labour will be found willing to serve under Mr. Churchill-Reuter.
Back-Benchers Seen
London, To-day. Abandoning his usual walk through
emphasise the situation's gravity, and much of the ariticism: concerns the Cabinet's efforts to represent matters in a better light than justi-
fled. The Norwegian episode will have resulted in a firmer, more purposeful
There is no tone of defeatism in the and a more offensive British Govern- chorus of dissatisfaction, although re- ment and in more energetic warfare cent events are recognised as a de-
feat. by the Allies.
Sharp Contrast
It is thus far from certain that
The "Dagens Nyheter" says the the German surprise attack on Nor- way in the long run Increased. Ger-House of Commons maintains: the many's chances to win the war. One thing is certain--the English people will take the war far more ser- lously than hitherto, and history shows how difficult it is to conquer this country.
Fine Tradition
proudest traditions of debate of af- fairs of state in the most serious altuations with energy and no res- traint, sharply contrasting with the hush-hush campaign carried on by the governments of the smaller demo- cracies.
The Government considers the danger of allancing criticlam ̈.and. Ignoring the people's representatives atlil greater.
The "Tidningen" declares the Bri- tish have followed their fine old tra- dition and have cast off camouflage in a critical situation, in which they The result is the confrontation of speak as though the enemy and the governors and governed, from which world are not distening to every word. the country proceeds with greater de- They do not atteiħpt to paint a termination and continues the fight at favourable picture but ruthlessly all costs,-Reuter,
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