1940-05-08 — Page 6

Minister Churchill's

Prime Mr.

LONDON, TO-DAY.

DURING HIS SPEECH IN THE HOUSE OF COM- MONS YESTERDAY MR. CHAMBERLAIN RE- FERRED TO GIBES AT HIM FOR RECENTLY SAYING THAT HITLER HAD MISSED THE BUS. Mr. Chamberlain pointed out he said this before the Germans entered Norway and it referred to Hitler not attacking the Allies at the begin- ning of the war, when he was ready and the Al- lies were not.

"While I have complete confidence in ultimate vic- tory, the people of this country cannot yet real- ise the extent or imminence of the threat im- pending against us."

in

the

Referring to the operations Norway, 'Mr. Chamberlain sald: bellave it was right to make attempt and equally right to with- draw our troops when it was clear the plan would not succeed. (Cheer).

Reasons Of Failure

"The failure was due to two facts.

to "Firstly, our inability

secure aerodromes whence we could operate our fighters, and

"Secondly, the rapid German reinforcements.

arrival of

our "We always believed that if troops could get ashore they would not suffer heavy casualties from the air and in fact that proved to be the case, but the absence of fighters en- abled the enemy to attack communi- cations and hinder

more

important it is

that we

be

ready."

"A

Mr. Chamberlain proceeded: Minister who has shown any sign of confidence is always called com - placent. If he falls to do so he is labelled defeatist.

"For my part I try to 'steer a mid- dle course."

(A member the bus").

shouted "You missed

Missing The Bus

Mr. Chamberlain continued: Neither raising undue expectations (Cries of "Oh") which are unlikely to be fulfilled nor making people's flesh creep by painting pictures of unmiti- gated gloom.

THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 8, 1940.

Describes New

A recent picture of the Prime Minister speaking at the luncheon given in his honour by the Na- tional Defence Public Interests Committee at the Dorchester Hotel. (Copyright, Fox).

must

criticism, and those criticised be allowed to defend themselves.

"In this debate the four members of the Cabinet directly associated

with the military conduct of reinforcements

whilst his own land communications enabled him to bring up an ever in- creasing superiority of strength.

the

oon-

"It became clear that we could only maintain our forces in Trondheim reglon by such a centration of men, materials aircraft as would have drawn altogether an undue proportion

our total resources.

and off

of

"We decided we could carry on the campaign in Norway

elsewhere

with greater vigour and effect, and thanks to the skill and courage of all the Services we withdrew successfully from the Trondheim area.

Hasty Opinions

"I have dealt with the principal leave criticisms and I am going to my honourable friends to fill in the details and answer technical questions, including the composition equipment of our forces, but

"I believe many think when I said Hitler missed the bus' I was referring to his invasion of Norway. The speech in which that remark was made oc- curred on April 5, three days before the invasion. (Cheers and laughter).

"I had been saying that the ad- in vantages of the totalitarians lay the fact they were prepared for war while we were only thinking of peace, and I observed it was extraordinary when the Germans were far superior in arms and equipment at the begin- ning of the campaign, that Hitler had not taken advantage of this to attack the Allies when the disparity was greatest. This evidently had no relation to the future but was merely a commentary on the past.

Useful Lessons

"While I think the implications of the Norwegian campaign have béen seriously exaggerated and while I re- tain complete confidence in ultimate victory, I am bound to say I don't are some general observations I de- think people in this country

yet. sire to offer the House.

and there

SO

"First, I ask members not to form hasty opinions upon the results far as it has gone. Quite obviously the Germans have made certain gains but it is equally clear they have paid a heavy price. (Cheers).

"It is too early to say on which side the balance will finally Incline. The campaign is not yet finished.

"A large part of Norway is not in German hands, the Norwegian King and Government are still on Norwe- gian soil and they will rally round them the remainder of the Norwegian forces to carry on the fight against the invader in which we shall be at their side."

Patlence

Referring to Dr. Koht's broadcast advice to Norwegians to be patient, Mr. Chamberlain -said that was wise advice but although we shall give all the help to Norway that we can and as soon as we can, we must not forget that there are other fronts which may at any moment blaze up into confla- gration.

"Germany, with her vast well equipped armies, is so placed that she can at any moment attack any one of a number of different points "We want to be ready to meet that attack wherever it may come, (Hear, hear). The more vital the point the

realise the extent or imminence against threat impending the

(Loud prolonged cheers).

of

us.

"If we are wise we shall learn many useful lessons from Norway. "I am not going to say how our strategic plans for the future may be affected but the experience of Nor- way shows how swiftly the scene al- ters.

"Let us therefore beware of being tempted into such dispersal of forces which may sult the enemy's purpose.

and

the be war will speak, and they will fortunate if they give nothing away.

"All are aware that attempts have been made to separate them from one another and to suggest that one or the other is more responsible than his colleagues for this or that course of action. Such suggestions are unworthy as they (Cheers).

are

Cabinet Thoughts

Job

tary Coordinating Committee of the Cabinet, Mr. Chamberlain said that Mr. Churchill had readily accepted the position, but, after he had had some experience of it, he suggested that in order to make his assistance to the Cabinet more effective, it would be a good thing to put him into closer contact with the Chiefs of Staffs.

1

Mr. Chamberlain said he thought the idea a good one and after die- oussing the question fully with the other Service Ministers, arrange- ments ware made under which Mr. Churchill is authorised by. the Cabinet, on behalf of the Military

to Coordination Committee, give guidance and direction to the Chiefs of Staffs Committee, who have to prepare the plans to 'carry out the objectives given by them to him,

their The Chiefs of Staffs retain collective responsibility to the Cabinet and to their Ministers, but Mr. Chur- chill will have special responsibility for, the supervision of military opera- tions day by day.'

"We shall thus ensure,' said the Prime Minister," that every aspect of military policy is examined and that the policies when decided, followed up with promptness and energy."

: "L.G." Interposes

are

In reply to a question interjected ́ by Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Chamber- lain said: Mr. Churchill will retain his position as First Lord of the Ad- miralty but I am relying upon him to let me know if he finds the new task makes it difficult for him: to fulfil his work at the Admiralty as well.

question. In reply to a further the Prime Minister sald that Mr. Churchill did not assume his new powers before the, Norwegian operations.

He added that for the purposes of his new duties, Mr. Churchill would have a small personal staff under a senior staff officer, Major-General H. untrue.L. Ismay, Secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence, who has been appointed an additional member of the Chief of Staffs Command.

us.

""There is no division among None of us has attempted to intrigue against the other. We have only one thought and that is how to make our best contribution to the winning of

the war.

?

unaware of auggea-

The Future.

Mr. Chamberlain concluded: "Once again I want to urge members that we should be better to occupy our-. selves increasing our war effort than in disputing about forms of govern- ment in the production of material, "I am not tlons- might almost call them in the production of planes (cheers) and all the demande--which have been made in tanks, guns, munitions the House, and out of it, for a dif-countless articles of equipment that are required to fit out our weapons and ferent kind of Cabinet. "I am. not speaking now of per-make them useable.

"It is in the production of these sonal questions but of what might be called a constitutional form of Cabinet. things that we want organisation, en-

"Some of those who have had longergy and goodwill. experience, my colleagues Lord Han- key and Mr. Churchill, and myself are agreed that it wouldn't really save time or lead to quicker decisions if we had a Cabinet composed solely or mainly of members free from depart- mental work.

"As far as we are concerned' in the Government; "wa, are doing all we can to overtake the start which Germany had attained in her long years of preparation. We are getting to-day the wholehearted co-opera- tion of employers and workers. "I want also to get the co-opera- "It is impossible in taking decisions our

to ignore those who have to carry tion of members of all Parties if not those decisions out. The Ministers all the members of all Parties in the responsible for the work which everyone recognises is who are to be executive work must be there when the prime need of the day. decisions are taken and must express their views, and therefore whether they are inside or outside the Cabinet doesn't really make any difference. They will have to take their share in making those decisions.

"Let us also beware of blokerings divisiona among ourselves. When we may presently be faced by war in its most violent directed against this country, it is no time for quarrels among ourselves, (Cheers).

Hostages To Fortune

form

"It is rather a time for closing the ranks and setting the teeth, all en- deavouring to put every ounce of strength and energy into arming our forces and Into the effort which will help us win.

"In this debate we are giving hos- tages to fortune. Our military ad- visers have told us solemnly of the danger of holding such a discussion and urged us to try and have no debate at all..

"We could not accept that view. In Democratic country there must be

Public Interest

Invitation To Labour

"We don't set ourselves up to be faultless..

"We don't set ourselves above re- ceiving help from those who are will- ing to help. (Government- cheers). Let us then before fresh trials come "The fact that I have always felt upon us, put all our strength into this unable to accept this particular sug-work of preparing for it, and we shall gestion doesn't mean that. I am unsteadily increase our strength until we willing, from time to time, to make ourselves are able to deal our blows changes in the personnel or the func- where and when we will.” tions of members of the Cabinet.

"I have not hesitated, for example, to go outside the political fold in or der to find new Ministers if I thought they would serve the public interest. Referring to the retirement of Lord Chatfield and to Mr. Churchill's auc- ceeding him as chairman of the Mill-

Reuter.

WEATHER REPORT The Royal Observatory reports that pressure continues highest over the Coast of Japan and the Pacific. to Bonins; it is relatively low over China and Indo-China.