1940-05-09 — Page 27

Thursday,

81 Majority For Premier After Bitter Debate: Lloyd George Flays Chamberlain in Commons

PUT BRITAIN IN GREATER JEOPARDY THAN KAISER, CHARGE BY EX-PREMIER

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"

HONGKONG TELEGRAPH

Decoration For Kuala Lumpur Hero

LONDON, May 8 (Reuter),, -RAF. awards for the Norwegian operations included n Distinguished Service Order for Squadron Leader John William Donaldson who was lender of the squadron which brought down 14 German planes in one day during opera- tlon at Andalsnes.

Squadron Lender Donaldson was born at Kuala Lumpur in 1910.

LONDON, MAY 8 (UP).—THE KEENLY CRITICAL REACTION OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS TO THE GOVERNMENT'S WAR POLICY. WAS REFLECTED TO-NIGHT IN THE VOTING ON THE GOVERN- MENT'S MOTION TO ADJourn, whicH RESULTED IN A CONFI- DENCE VOTE OF 281 TO 200 THE LOWEST MAJORITY THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT has yet received during ITS SEVEN- ******** YEAR TENURE OF OFFICE.

Of the 14 German aircraft. Bix were shot down and eight others put out of action.

May 9; 1940.

U.S. SEEKS TIN

RESERVES

WASHINGTON, May (Reuter). -The possibility of building up th reserves in the United States by means of a Reconstruction and Finance Corporation lean to Holland is being considered by offelala of the

States, Navy and War Departments.

The plan would involve, a loan of ubout

for $50,000,000 as security, which the Dutch would store about 50,000 tons of tin in the United States,

The suggestion has not yet reached the stage of a formal proposal.,

should not become better and better," he said:

In answering a question, Sir Samuel

of sald that he knew

ng German

· aerodromes in the Narvik area and such seemed extremely unlikely, he thought,

Not Invincible

The German air power was not Invincible, he said. Air power, be it German or any other air, power, was only invincible when there was not sufficient alr power against it. 110 In this case the Allles had bombers.

The vote was greeted with loud Ministerial cheers and equally loud Opposition cries of "Resign !"

Labour members were highly jubilant and same began singing "Rule ileal fact which must never be fighter force to cope with the German

Britannia." RESIGNATION DEMAND

MR. LLOYD GEORGE EARLIER IN THE EVENING MADE A`SHARP ATTACK ON MIL CHAMBERLAIN, "NOTHING WILL CONTRIBUTE MORE TO VICTORY THAN THE RESIGNATION OF THE PRIME MINISTER", DECLARED THE ONE-TIME PREMIER OF

THE LAST WAR.

His statement was cheered by the Opposition benches.

Mr. Lloyd George charged that Mr. Chamberlain had allowed Hitler to put Britain in greater jeopardy than the Kaiser, and he said that Allied prestige had been affected all over Europe.

part taken in these operations by the R.A.F.

The Germans were in control of all strategical aerodromes in central and southern Norway. That was a forgotten when they considered the military

tury operations that subsequent- ly took place.

Where they had their fighters available they had always shown how well they could cope with the German bombers.

It meant from the very outset that the R.AF. was suffering under a

The history of the past eight handicap as their machines had to fly hundreds of miles backwards and months had shown the superiority of forwards across the North Sen, while the British fighters over the Gennan thead air buses on the spot. | bombers.

task was to

to win

A foothold in Norway for our fighters, and during the time that attempts were LONDON, May # (Reuter).—In being made we did everything in winding up for the Opposition, Mr. our power to reduce the scale of A. V. Alexander (Labour), paid nir attack that was being launched tribute to the work of the fighting services in the Jast four difficult upon our sea basen,

weeks in Scandinavia.

No Dolay

Debate Wound Up

"British promissory notes are now rubbish on the market," her reconnaissances and attacks not in many parts of the country with declared.

The climax of to-day's dramatic events in the House came when the Premier accepted Mr. Herbert Morrison's challenge to permit a vote of confidence.

LABOURITES BITTER

Mr. Hugh Dalton, the Labour member, bitterly sug gested that through the Government pursuing such a feeble policy, the Allies might soon be forced to give up their foothold in Narvik.

Mr. Herbert Morrison demanded that Sir John Simon, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Sir Samuel Hoare, Minister for Air should résign. Otherwise, he warned, Britain might lose the war.

Then came Lloyd George's speech, which veteran observers called the most devastating he has delivered for the last 15 years.

should make fuels of them (Opposition Cheers).

"In my experience of war in this direction 1 have never tried to

minimise a disaster.

No Case For Panic "You must face facts

restore to

for

position. There is no case

one

In pressing for a change in the "I can say categorically that there) was no delay in starting these opera-outlook and, if necessary, in the com- Government, Mr. Lions Immediately after the entry position of the of the Germans in Norway, we made Alexander said that they were doing this because they knew the feeling only on aerodromes in Norway but regards to those forces who were in on key nerodromes in Denmark

und

Norway. of the key aerodromes In While I was true that there was no split in this country over this Germany

"Proin that day onwards, day after serious situation which had arisen. It was also true that the people of this day, night after night, in the face .of terrible weather conditions, we

country expected and demanded that maintained the

these intensive attacks when their men went to fight for upon those key points.

their country, freedom and liberty that they should be sent under proper conditions as far as possible.'

"I can claim that the effort of the Air Force hind very definite and marked results. We were able first of all very materially to reduce the scale of air attack upon our bases

We inflicted and troops.

on the German air force three times the losses they infilleted on us (Govern- Cheers). That is claim "But there is a grave cause forment pulling ourselves together.

based upon evidence." "You won't rouse the British Em- Sir Samuri praised the RAF pire as you must to put forth its strength until you tell it what is really the perif

panic. (General cheers).

"We need real action, not the sham action we have had.

"The petty cash balance sheet of loses on clther side is of no use, "Strategically we ure in

worse position than before.

ה

men and said that in quality they were a match against any enemy and on reasonably equal terins would take very heavy toll.

Only Frozen Lakos

Sir Samuel told the House that with the first troops reconnaissance much parties were sent to Andalsnes to search for a plece of level ground "The greatest triumph of this that could be tired as a landing place. extraordinary man Hitler has been The only level, ground in the neigh that he has been put inla greater bourhood consisted of frozen lakes He spoke with fiery intensity and striking gestures.opardy than his predecessors did and at the moment the thaw was

in In the House of Lords Lord has just uttered make it necessary

beginning. Three Big Losses

Only one suitable landing place Halifax declared, in a strong for me to intervene for a moment or "One strategic advantage we hand-was found and the surface was swept defence of the Government, two at this stage. Mr. Morrison be fed over was Czechoslovakia with a elear of snow to form runways.

The necessary stores, munitions "The war is going to be won on an his speech by emphasising the million of the finest troops in Europe and petrol were provided and in less

gravity of the necasion. The challenge gone hard facts, not prestige."

"What is the second? You had a than a week it was rendy to receive He said nobody would claim that he has thrown at the Government in

on them and upon me in particular Hussia was to come to the old had already been embarked on an General and the

attack he has made. Franco-Russian Alliance by which aircraft dan of Chindiators; which makes it graver still.

Czecho-Stovakia and there. would "Naturally as head of the Govern- have been a new war front for Ger- alteraft carrier, were down off the ment, I accept primary responsibility many

ship 180 miles from land in a thlek for the actions of the Government,

"What happened? Russia's ships snowstorm. At seven in the evening they landed on the lake and at ten o'clock that night the first putrol was in the air.

15-Hour Attack

no mistakes have been made but added: "we are facing far more dangerous challenge than this country has ever met before."

Full Report Of Debate LONDON, May. Herbert Morrison, the Labour MP opening the second day of the de- bate in the House of Commons, em- phasised the gravity of the issues involved,

the cute? but it is grave not because of personal are now crossing the Black Sea with

considerations--none of us would for oil for the acroplanes of Germany.

He said: "If we must be sternly critical about the handling of events and refer to certain persons, we are not actunted by, partisan considern- tions,

a moment desire to hold on to office "Thirdly, there is Rumania. Ger- for a moment longer than we retain many has practically Rumania in her the confidence of this House--but hands. If they did not have It A But next day eight German bomb- Because, as warned the House yester-month ago, by this policy in Norway, ers took part in an attack on the lake.

was continuous day, this is a time of national danger. We have now handed them Rumania. This attack

Challenge Accopted

"With regard to Spain 1 hope my hours. Tons of high explosives fell fears about that country will from the bombers during that period "We are facing a relentless enemy (prove true.

and there were 37 combats. who must be fought by united action Sweden Not To Blame

not

for. 15

Six German planes were brought

Objective Stated

"Our objective," he said, "is to do all we can to see that things are pul in such order that there may be no shadow of doubt

victory ubt that the which we require shall be attained. "We have done our best to let the country know what we are against. We are entitled to say that on the con- trary it has been mostly from mem- bers of the Government that state- ments have emanated which have led sections of the population

may

to believe that everything is going well.

"Few of us realised a few months ago that we should be losing our food resources from the Scandinavian countries or that we might be so soon faced with the loss of food sup- have taken over from plies we Holland.

have "Over and over again, we been given most optimistic reports about the facts of the food situation. We should tell the people the real facts and get them to organise on a basis of true war coonomy.

Wis

»

am profoundly disappointed with the amount of Information which the Prime Minister

able to

give us." Mr. Alexander said he was also not Satisfied with the explanations given by Sir Samuel Hoare, Mr. Oliver Stanley and the information given by

the Government of the German inten- tions prior to the invasion of Norway.

Cripps On U.S. Opinion SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH' LONDON, May 8 (UP).In the course of the House of Commons de- bute, Sir Stafford Cripps said that he had recently been in the United States there, that the efforts of Britain In and had found, uniformly would sing the praises of any it is a duty to criticise the Govern-German

of this country. It may well be that "Now you have got Scandinavia in down close to the lake. It was cer one instrumental in winning the war."

hands. "It is no 1130 tain that another eight were brought the war were regarded by all us un- He declared that the more the de-ment. I don't seek to evade criticism, eritielsing Sweden.

down in the near vicinity; and the organised and even permented with a bate proceeds the more the Ministers but I say to my friends in this House "What right have we to appear to be open to considerable and I have friends in the House them? We promised to rescue, we tenant thought that no less than 30

criticise Squadron Leader and Flight Licu-spirit of indecision and lack of bold-

ness censure for their conduct of affairs,

(Loud Government

"I found no one who had a good cheers)-no promised to protect. We never rent machines were put out of action in

word to say for the British Govern- Churchill, Government can prosecute the war an aeroplane to Poland. He complained that Mr.

We were too the course of the operations. who had considerable responsibilitefficiently unless it has public and late in Norway.

'ment, us it is now constituted," he Mr. Dalton's Queries

declared. "They regarded a change for the operations, would be heard Parliamentary support.

"The German occupation of Nor- last when there could be no comment "I accept the challenge. I welcome way brings German aeroplanes and there were any anti-aircraft guns measured the necessity of it in weeks Mr. Hugh Dalton, (Labour) asked in the Government as essential, and on his evidence,

Indeed. At least we shall see who submarines 200 miles nearer our in the neighbourhood of frozen lakes and not months. is with us and who is against us. I coast.

Sir Samuel Hoare, in reply, said:

The fatal mistake, in my view, Mr. Morrison described the sent-call on my friends to support us in

"There was a promise to Poland, "I am sorry to say there were not. was Indecision as to which polley to tering of the expeditionary force the lobby to-night." (Loud Cheers). promise to Norway and a promise to The arrangement for anti-aircraft

pursue-strict Finland.

regard for neutral prepared for Finland as an amazing

guns was upset by the sinking of rights, or total disregard of them. It action.

"Our promissory notes are now ships and it was a question whether was criminal carelessness to rubbish In our hands," Loud to hurry on the squadron or to wait upon a situation of danger in Scan- cries of "Shame" from the Govern- for some further days for the anti-dinavia without taking steps lo guard ment supporters and cheers froin aircraft guns. the Labour benches).

Amazing Action

Lloyd George Hits Out

Mr. Lloyd George and that the "I wonder whether the Government facts given by Sir Samuel Honre were took the pledge to Norway seriously no defence of the Government. as an essential part of the war opera- The first instalment of British tions or as merely discharging forces which went to Norway, he moral obligation to protect them-sold, ought to have been picked men, selves from criticism."

The Germans had picked men.

Mr. Morrison then asked when Britain sent n territorial brigade were the Government first informed which had not had very much train of the German move against Norwaying.

a

and Denmark? When did the first That was the advance part of the message of the movement of German forces which had to accomplish transports come through and how task upon which the success of the soon afterwards was there a real whole force depended.

move?

enter

"On the whole we took the decl-gainst obvious German reaction.

What the Prime Minister sald to- "Tell me now," he continued, "of sion to send aeroplanes to engage day shows that he is unfit to carry one litle country that will be German bombers at once.” prepared to stand up to the Nazis

upon a mere promise from us, "What is the use of not facing) facts?"

Resign, Appeal To Premier Mr. Lloyd George sald that every-tr. body was dissatisfied with the war

Sir Samuel added that the effect on

of the German bombing was that a greater part of the British machines were put out of action on the Around.

"We ought to have had a combina-effort of this country and agreed with the lack of air bases. As regards the laying of mines on tion and combined action between the the Prime Minister that "we must the Norwegian coast, Mr. Morrison Army and Navy," he continued. "We face the position and face it with have stood for inaction and it was anid: "To tell Hitler what you are had neither. We gambled ou a chance people and not as personal issues." going to do before you do it is pro- of getting air bases, foundly unwise, The Government ought to have had surveys of the

and. docks, harbours, flords

acro- dromes so na to know where to get at and to get there quickly. It looks as if none of these things were done." Mr. Morrison named Mr. Cham- berlain, Sir John Simon and Sir Samuel Hoare as unequal to their task and as more than any other men

ible for

not avoiding war, responsible

Ho announced that the Labour Opposition would divide the House at the end of the evening.

Promier Intervenes Immediately following Mr. Mor rison's speech, the Prime Minister roso-almost aprang-to the despatch box and said:

"The words which Mr. Morrison

{

Not one was brought down in the

He said that the cardinal factor was

British public opinion would not

In conclusion, Mr. Lloyd George risk which

inevitable that they should take the Half Baked Expedition

said that the Prime Minister had aptart.

wan realised from the "The whole of this vital expedl-pealed for sacrifice from

the nation

Two Lessons Learned tion, which would I have made a vast which was ready so long as “you give

Everything possible was done with difference to

to this country strate-confidence to them that those who out air bases. gically and an infinite difference to are leading them are doing their best

Sir Samuel said that two lessons their prestige in the world, was for them."

had been learned from the operations made dependent upon this half pre- pared and half baked expedlilonary force without any combination be- tween the Army and Navy," There could not have been a more serious condemnation of the action of the Government in Norway when they knew perfectly well that the Germans were preparing to raid some adjoining country and probably the (Baltic, he said,

"I say now nolemaly that he in Norway: Prime Minister can give an ex- 1-The superiority of the British ample of morifice because I can fghter over the German bomber but toll him ORG thing. There

*** strong air power must be met by nothing which would contributes stronger air power. more to vistory in, this war than

The power of the British Air.. that he should sacriflen the scals Force alriking night after night. of office,

(Lond cheers from Labour supporters).

The R.A.F.'s Part Taking part in the debate, Sir "We are all proud to read of the Samuel ifore, the Air. Minister, said gallantry of our men," he continued. that he proposed to concentrate upon "All the more shame then that wel the events of the last month and the

The quality of this force, he said, was tinsurpassed but the quantity was not nearly big enough.

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