FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION COMPILED FROM 33 21st February, No. 1940 U.S. A: ALTMARK - "APPLAUSE" FROM AMERICA. Further approval of the British action in rescuing prisoners from the Altmark is expressed in the American Press and one paper states that the American reaction is "something very like applause" "A comprehensive ruling of international law may be postponed for some time in the Altmark case but in the court of world opinion, the verdict has already been reached," declares the CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR. "The majority of neutral sentiment in the United States sanctions Britain's spectacular release of 300 seamen from the German prison-ship in Norwegian waters. Indeed something very like applause can be heard from America." An article in the WASHINGTON POST states: "From the very-beginning, Germany has carried out unceasing war, not only on Allied but also on neutral shipping. Indeed, the merchant marine of such countries as Norway and Holland has suffered proportionately greater losses than the Merchant Marine of Britain and France. To all intents and purposes, the Nazis place neutral ships in the same category as belligerent ships. The case of the Altmark is another illustration of the contemptuous, manner in which the Hitler regime has treated neutral rights." Strong condemnation of the Nazi reaction to the Altmark incident was expressed in a recent issue of the TAMPA TIMES. "Caught red-handed, the Nazis are now squawking loudly to the Norwegian Government against what they denounce as an act of piracy," it was stated. "The World is only going to laugh down such outcries in contempt, because the Nazis were deliberately trying to get away with a flagrant violation of international law, which prohibits the transportation of prisoners through neutral waters. The only really serious phase of the incident is the fact that the Norwegians allowed themselves to be duped in such a fashion by the Germans. Britain, rather than Germany, has the real right to protest over this breach of neutrality." Referring to Field Marshal Goering's speech, the PHILADELPHIA ENQUIRER stated: "How long will the Germans shout 'Heil Hitler' after being fed with that kind of bunk? Their leaders have got them into war. If they want bullets they cannot have butter. If they run their railways to death for war purposes, they must suffer from cold." Comparing Japan and Germany, the YOUNGSTOWN VINDICATOR stated: "Americans have found the individual German unusually thoughtful and reliable, yet in both Japan and Germany, Governments supported by these admirable people have com- mitted crimes which shocked the world. The militarists in both countries are have hard, cruel and barbarous men. The people, by their easy-going nature, allowed the barbarians to seize power and now cannot help themselves." 2. 21.2.40. FRANCE : APPROVAL OF BRITISH ACTION. The French Press has continued to express unanimous approval of the British action in the Altmark affair and in theINTRANSIGEANT, Professor LeFur, of the Law Faculty of the Sorbonne, found that England acted in conformity with International Law. In the POPULAIRE, M. Blum wrote: "The German ship Altmark has doubly and outragedusly violated Norwegian neutrality. In the first place it was ah armed ship and it entered territorial waters. There is incontrovertible evidence to the effect that the ship was armed - and in the second place the English officers and seamen were prisoners of war who should have been liberated on the ship’s entry into territorial waters, but they were kept imprisoned and hidden in the hold. "It therefore follows that Norway,- either deceived by lies or intimidated by threats - did not insist on respect for her own neutrality and was thus herself guilty of violating it." The semi-offioial TEMPS pointed out that absolute respect for a neutrality which the neutral state concerned did not itself respect, could not be expected. This paper wrote: "In the case of the neutralityAltmark, the in con- Norwegian territorial waters was first violated by the Germans, ditions which it would be in the interest of the Oslo government to clear up if they desire the continuance of confidence in their policy cf independence and neutrality. For it is clear that it is impossible to demand for neutrality an absolute respect which the neutral State in question itself denies. In these circumstances, neutrality-would itself constitute a grave international danger." HOLLAND: "NEUTRALS NO LONGER OWN MASTERS." Both England and Germany are attacked by HET VADERLAND today for reproaching Norway in connection with the ALTMARK incident. "The neutrals are no longer masters of their own homes, according to British and German politicians," adds this paper. HET HANDELSBLAD by Professor Geyl, attacking the too- prints a letter judicial attitude certain quarters to the incident and declares: taken in "We acknowledge that neutrality has obligations, and slackness in fulfilling them may force the belligerent to use his power." "England *s irritation with the neutrals is growing," declares the UTRECHTSCH DAGBLAD. "Norway never spoke so bluntly about German crimes as ever the saucy behaviour of the Cossack - because she is more afraid of Germany. Had the Norwegian Press and Parliament spoken as strongly on the German murders of Norwegian sailors, Goebbels would long ago have struck His Norway off the list of neutrals. But John Bull is no vegetarian. gentleness is not much more than skin deep." 21.2.40. SWEDEN: ATTACK ON U.S.A. An attack on the U.S.A. for not giving greater help to Finland was con- tained in yesterday’s GOTEBORGS HANDELS - OCH SJOFARTSTIDNING in a report of an interview with Dr. Munthe. Dr. Munthe was reported as saying: "I would never have visited the U.S.A. in Finland's cause if I knew what I now know. The help for Finland for the U.S.A. is vague. One never knows where the U.S.A. stands. A glance at the war industries is astonishing - the capacity is not what we thought and the deliveries are surprisingly long. "The President’s Election overshadows everything and stops all political initiative. It is unfortunate that the Finnish affair came during an election year. The Presidential Candidates simply do not care a jot if the world falls to pieces. Americans are suspicious and mil not be deceived by Europe this time. Students are against Finland's cause, have a strong interest in the Soviet’s Social experiment and believe the Finns are friendly with the Nazis. However, one must not judge Americans by the polit cians foxy game in Washington. Help is coming from many sources." Referring to King Gustav's proclamation the NYA DAGLIGT ALLEHANDA wrote: "The King's proclamation to the Swedish people appears to be designed to calm the high feeling causedby the brevity and coldness of the Prime Minister's communique." The AFTONBLADET welcomed the warm tone of the Royal statement and added: "Although Sweden is in a difficult position with regard to Creat Power politics she must not be paralysed. The possibilities of helping Finland have not yet been fully exploited especially in the volunteer movement." Comparing King Gustav’s proclamation with the Prime Minister's communique the SVENSKA DAGBLADET wrote: "The King's proclamation is an expression of the opinion that M. Hansson’s brief communique was overwhelmingly negative. The King was compelled to give his own explanation, in doing so he gave the Prime Minister a lesson in the art of statesmanship.” This paper later declared that it was only with reluctance that the Prime Minister allowed the volunteer movement, and added: "M. Hansson does not possess the gifts of statesmanship now necessary." Referring to the Social confidence Minister, the Democratic Party’s communique, declaring in the Prime SVENSKA DAGBLADET suggested that the Riksdag did not represent public opinion and had possibly outlived itself. The STOCKHOLMS TIDNINGEN stressed the gravity of the situation and the Swedish people's desire to keep out of war, but demanded a great intensifica- tion of volunteer help for Finland. 4. 21.2.40. BELGIUM: CAUTIOUS ATTITUDE TO ALTMARK INCIDENT. The B e lgian Press has generally adopted a cautious attitude to the Altmark incident and the difficulties of neutral countries have been stressed. Some rather strong criticism was however made by the PAYS REEL, the right- wing organ, which wrote: "It is incredible that the British do not see that they are in the wrong. Their action was explained by the fact that Norwegian waters have served as a passage for Swedish iron ore to Germany. Iron, more than gold, constitutes the sinews of war. One can understand British ill-humour at seeing so much iron ore passing through Norwegian waters." the Labour Party LE PEUPLE, organ, declared: "The Norwegian argument will hardly be accepted by the Allies. If German war-ships have the right of passage through Norwegian waters is one to conclude they have exercised this right during the first six months of war? German cruisers pursuing Allied and neutral ships in the vast oceans have been able to leave and regain ports under Norwegian protection and U-Boats which have wrought such havoc in Norwegian and other neutral merchant fleets have thus been abetted by the Norwegian authorities’ complacency." HUNGARY: ALTMARK CASE FEATURED. The Altmark incident has been featured in the Hungarian Press and the papers have published both British and German versions of the affair. UJ MAGYARSAG and FUGGETLENSEG used the headline: "Serious complications caused by attack on German vessel Altmark in Norwegian territorial waters." BULGARIA: NEUTRALS' DIFFICULT POSITION. The position of the neutral countries was seen by the Bulgarian Press as being the chief problem arising out of the Altmark incident. MIR, the Conservative organ, wrote yesterday that neutrality apparently could not he guaranteed for anyone in existing conditions and the SLOVO stated: "All European States not classed as Great Powers are doing everything possible to remain neutral no matter what are their geographical positions, sympathies and antipathies. " EGYPT: BRITISH ACTION JUSTIFIED. A leading article in AL DASTOUR yesterday discussed international law in relation to territorial waters and Norway's action regarding the Altmark and concluded that the British action in rescuing prisoners was fully justified. The article concluded: "The Nazi leaders suffered, a strung set-back through losing the opportunity of parading British prisoners." 5. 21.2.40. PALESTINE: PRAISE FOR ANZACS. A tribute to the Anzacs has been published in the Arab newspaper SIRAT AL MUSTAKIM. This paper declared: "We heard many people in Jerusalem warmly praise the Australian troops who have just arrived. On the roads, and in all places they frequent, they treat people like friends. They are able to win the appreciation of all those who come into contact with them." TUNIS: NAZIS' "LYING BROADCASTS". An attack on Germany for her "lying broadcasts" is made in the current issue of the Arabic weekly JAHSOUH. "Germany is trying to win by means of lying broadcasts thus hoping to reduce the democracies to impotence," it is affirmed. "They might have been believed if they had kept their promises and not murdered old men and children and invaded Poland. The world denounces Nazi lies. We do not wish to use insults but we can affirm that Moslems and particularly Tunisian people now know what to expect from the Nazis' deceit." The writer adds that he overheard an Arab in a cafe saying "Germany, with her lies,is the greatest enemy of Moslem. How can the Nazis pretend to love Islam when the treatment of their own co-religionaries is horrible in the eyes of a beast let alone a human being?" CHILE: ALTMARK CASE LINKED WITH SECURITY ZONE PROPOSALS. Impartial versions of the Altmark incident have been given in the Chilean Press and an editorial article in EL MERCURIO, the Santiago newspaper, took the occasion to link the question up with the proposals for a larger security zone off the coasts of the Americas. This paper stated that the German reply regarding the security zone emphas- ised previous editorial articles maintaining that the zone was impracticable without the consent of European powers. "This is a hard juridical and political lesson for Pan-American Governments," it was added. ARGENTINE: BRITISH ACTION APPROVED. The Argentine newspaper LA PRENSA, discussing in an editorial the rescue of British prisoners from the Altmark stated: "Germany is protesting vigorously to Norway; Norway, on the other hand, is protesting equally vigorously to Great Britain - but the truth is that it is Great Britain who has most right to protest. 21.2.40. "Norway ought not to have allowed a vessel carrying prisoners of war into her territorial waters; Norway ought not to have overlooked the fact that the Altmark had these prisoners of w ar, and in any event the Altmark ought to have been closely searched in Bergen. Even if Norway was deceived, she ought at least to have listened to the British request and ordered the Altmark to be in- spected again. "As Norway had closed every path of approach to the British Navy what - did they think the British Navy would do? Accept passively that Germany should steal a march, and the Altmark get away with 300 prisoners? Put in this form, there is only one reply to the question, and that had to be given at very short notice. This reply was given energetically and with decision by the British Navy." EL DIA said that the principles of humanity demanded British intervention and stressed the inhuman treatment of the British prisoners and the fact that the Cossack's action was limited to rescue work. This paper maintained that the party guilty of violation was the German captain who made false declara- tions. NOTICIAS GRAFICAS rejected the protest by Germany, which country, this paper affirmed, has habitually disregarded international law. URUGUAY: FAVOURABLE ALTMARK COMMENT. A favourable tone towards Britain in connection with the Altmark affair has generally been adopted by the Uruguayan Press. EL PLATA headed its comment with the words: "With the boarding of the Altmark a crime has been avoided. Humanity should celebrate the fact." BOLIVIA: ALTMARK VIOLATION OF NEUTRALITY. In a leader on the Altmark episode, LA RAZON, the Conservative organ, pointed yesterday that the vessel was out an auxiliary of the Spee Graf and ( was using Norwegian territorial waters to reach Germany with prisoners. The writer maintained that the Altmark was the first to Violate Norwegian neutrality and criticised the weak attitude of the Norwegian authorities in allowing this. CUBA: ALTMARK "A PIRATE SHIP". The majority of the Cuban newspapers, commenting on the Altmark incident, have taken the view that Britain was justified, in the circumstances, in rescuing the British prisoners from the German "prison-ship” EL MUNDO, in a leader, referred to the activities of the Altmark in southern waters, and added: "Such acts, committed in circumstances when not fall only international law, but all principles of humanity were violated, under the definition of piracy. England can inform Norway that the Altmark is an outlawed pirate ship." 21.2.40. 7. This paper, in a later editorial article, commented on the violent agitation by the German Press in connection with the Joessing Fjord incident and continued: "This procedure is not surprising. The Germans always make a scandal when they are the victims of even a slight irregu- larity. It is doubtful if any fault was committed by the British or even the Norwegians." TurningBurgerdijk case, this paper added: "The procedure of to the German U-boat captains is outside all international law. How can Germany possibly be amazed at the capture of an auxiliary warship carrying 300 British prisoners? To offset the German methods, the British should have sunk the Altmark and taken the crew prisoners." SYRIA: "WHY I SUPPORT THE ALLIES. "For the interest of my nation, and the good of my country, we whould support the Allies, as their victory will establish the supremacy of principles which are the Arabs ’ ideals." This statement was made yesterday by Riad Bey Sulh r for 20 years an extreme Nationalist and ananti-Mandatory supporter, answer in to a plebiscite held by the Syrian newspaper ANNAHAR to discover why leading Arabs are sympathetic to the Allies' cause. AL MARAHIL published articles describing the tranquility and the resumption of normal life in Palestine, thanks to the British Government’s wisdom and far sighted policy. In an article entitled""Wonderful Achievements of British Air Force”, AL HADITH described the courage, heroism and technical supremacy of British airmen in flying over Germany and taking photographs of great strategic importances. ITALY: ANGLO-NORWEGIAN RELATIONS FRIENDLY RESPITE ALTMARK INCIDENT. Commenting on the Altmark affair the GIORNALE d'ITALIA, in a London message, declared night last that despite the present dispute Anglo-Norwegian friendly relations would not be disturbed. The MESSAGGERO, in an Amsterdam message, cited DE TELEGRAAF'S comment that Norway principle was the offender in the affair as she had not properly protected her neutrality. A Berne message in the POPOLO DI ROMA stated: "In twenty-five years many illusions have been lost, and the neutrals have ceased to believe in the nobility of others' causes, to which the only reaction is to take the precaution of accumulating armaments." ROUMANIA: REFUTATION OF ALLEGATIONS. A further refutation of allegations that Roumania has adopted a too- materialistic policy is contained in the Roumanian Press. M. Cesar Petresco writes to-day in ROMANIA: "In 1916 a political treaty consecrated the Ro manian aspirations, previously examined, on the most rigid historical basis. ethnical, political, and economic 21.2.40. "But that consecration did not offer us anything else but the opportunity to fight for what we ought to have got without any sacrifices." Describing the fights and sacrifices which marked the pages of Rouman- ia's history of war, M. Petresco asks: "Was this way towards victory a happy promenade of a greedy, reckless people, a people erring in the orbit of chance? "Although the answer to this question is self evident, our Government promises to give a reply". NORWAY: MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S REMARKS RESENTED. The Norwegian Press to-day resents criticism contained in Mr. Chamberlain's attacked main speech which is on the grounds that the point of the Altmark affair - Britain's alleged infringement of Norwegian neutrality - has been overlooked. The Right-wing AFTENPOSTEN, urging that the question should be brought before neutral arbitrators, writes: "The Allies' insinuation of German pressure is as unpalatable and false as Germany's earlier phantasies about pressure from the Western Powers." The MORGENBLADET "The will read Mr. declares: Norwegian public Chamberlain's declaration with deep depression. It does not reveal as much as a gleam of understanding of what is, in the Norwegian opinion, the crux of the matter. Mr. Chamberlain takes the opportunity of delivering a series of attacks on Norwegian authorities. It is this arrogance - if we must use this expression - which will most of all depress Norwegians. One great power is just like the other when it is a question of relations with small states." "We cannot free ourselves from the opinion that the British behaved in a way which does not coincide with what we have hitherto admired as typically British", declares the MORGENPOSTEN. "That Germany is trying on her side to show up Great Britain as the small nations! 'friend' is no more than both Britain and we could expect audit is not without justification that they have a lot of grist for their mill." A correspondent, whose son lost his life after being torpedoed in two different ships on the same day, writes in the TIDENS TEGN of the pomp and pageantry of the Altmark funeral and of Press accounts of a perilous and nerve-wracking voyage, lasting many months. "In the last and the theccase of struggle of drowned Norwegian sea-men sufferings of the Altmark’s living cargo, the Norwegian, with other authorities, have said and done little of what they should," this correspond- ent concludes. In an earlier issue AFTENPOSTEN declared that Norway was the most injured party in the Altmark incident yet she was reproached by both other parties. Advising the two belligerents to "subdue their voices" this paper continued: "We do not believe Germany, on closer reflection, will find it reasonable for the Norwegian torpedo boat's crew to commit suicide by firing on a British destroyer - and we believe England, on closer consideration will see that that advantage, which in this case-international law gives the German ship is no reason for reproaches to be levelled against Norway... 21.2.40. "If other parties are to talk about violations of neutrality or law Norway has a large debit column to show. We have had 47 of our peaceful merchant ships sunk and 309 of our seamen murdered." GERMANY: NAZIS ABUSE ENGLAND. The abusive language used against Britain by the Nazi wireless in connection with the Altmark affair has been maintained in the German press. An article in yesterday's WASTFAELISCHE LANDESZEITUNG stated: "While in civilised states of the world, especially in Norway, indignation and excitement are still vibrating over the shameless crime committed by England in the Joessing Fjord, the Government in London, with unabashed impudence, has already introduced new tension into the whole situation..... The English beast is becoming atavistic and isattempting in modern Europe to use methods employed a century or more ago in Africa and China." 21/2/40 - No.2. FAVOURITE R.A.F. SPORT. (Not to be quoted as an Air Ministry Announcement). is probably the most in the at Boxing popular sport R.A.F. present. The war and the recent cold weather have conspired to bring this about. Boxing is particularly popular with the B.A.F. in France. Contests easy to the spot and can be are arrange on held indoors. At the outbreak of war all R.A.F. sports associations closed. Inter-unit competitions (great sporting events in pre-war days) ceased, but this did not mean that sport ceased in the R.A.F. when Hitler marched into Poland. Far from it. There is probably more sport now in the R.A.F. than ever before. It has long been one of the major tenets of the R.A.F. creed that sports are essential to co-ordinate brain and muscle for the gruelling tests of the war in the air. So sports thrive and lose nothing of their zest because they are impromptu. Soccer still commands the greatest numerical following among ball games in the R.A.F. Soccer enthusiasts outnumber ’Rugger’ followers by five to one. The war has not interfered with squash playing by officers R.A.F. but has completely in home of the yacht racing stopped commands. Sand-yacht racing, however, continues on the deserts of the middle east. Polo (on ponies) is another war casualty, but water polo is still very popular. The R.A.F. still plays its own particular game of passball, a modification of basket ball. Enthusiastic R.A.F. gymnasts continue to train in some of the best equipped gymnasia in the country. Hockey, which has always been a popular game with the R.A.F., still has a good following. Cricket, surprisingly, is not the most popular summer sport with the R.A.F. Pride of place is taken by tennis. Snow in France has brought out the winter sportsmen of the B.A.F. and many hill villages of North-eastern Prance have witnessed recently the novelty of an airman on skis. Air Ministry, Whitehall, S.W.1. 21/2/40. - No. 3 FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE (MORNING) Paris, Wednesday, February 21. 1940. The following official communique was issued this morning from French G.H.Q. "Some infantry and artillery fire at various points of the front especially in the Vosges district and along the Rhine.” 21.2.40 - No. 4. STATEMENT GIVEN TO CORRESPONDENTS AT MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC WARFARE ON 21ST FEBRUARY, at 3 p.m. On 20th February there were 26 neutral ships in the Contraband Control bases in the United Kingdom, of which 23 had been there for 5 days or less. This total included :- 14 Dutch (13 for 5 days or less) 3 Norwegian ( 2" " " " ) " 2 Italian ( 1 " " " " " ) 2 Belgian (Both" " " " " ) 2 Swedish (Both" " " " " ) (Both" " " ) " " 2 Danish There was also one Greek ship which had been detained less than 5 days. During the week ending 17th February the Contraband Committee considered the cargoes of 89 ships which had arrived since 10th February and 38 outstanding cargoes from the previous week. The combined total included shins of the following nationalities :- 33 Italian 31 Dutch 21 Norwegian 10 United States 7 Belgian 7 Swedish 6 Danish 5 Greek In 68 cases entire cargoes were released, either on first consideration or after enquiries. The system under which advance conies of manifests of cargoes are received and considered before the ships’ arrival at ports in this country resulted, during the week under review, in 54 cases being so dealt with, and in 42 cases of the shins concerned being released by the Committee, subject merely to the formal checking of the original manifests on their arrival at the Control Bases. MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC WARFARE. 21/2/40. - No. 5. NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR BROADCASTING BEFORE A.M. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND, 1940 PRESS NOTICE The King has been pleased to approve the following appointment:- Vice-Admiral Sir Charles E. Kennedy-Purvis,K.C.B., to be Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies, in succession to Admiral Sir Sidney J. Meyrick, K.C.B., to date March, 1940. ADMIRALTY S.W.l. 21.2.40 - No. 6. THE FOLLOWING IS ISSUED TO THE PRESS BY NAVAL AFFAIRS FOR SUCH USE AS THEY MAY WISH TO MAKE OF IT. DUSSELDORF AND THE PANAMA CANAL. Germany, in her frantic attempts to justify her actions, has suggested that Great Britain created a precedent for the conveying of prisoners through neutral waters by taking the captured German ship Dusseldorf through the Panama Canal, If the German propagandists had taken the trouble to look up the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty of 1901 between Great Britain and the United States, which governs the navigation of the Panama Canal, they would have found that Article III of that Treaty states:- "Rule 1. The canal shall be free and open to the vessels of commerce and war of all nations observing these rules, on terms of entire equality so that there shall be no discrimination against any such nation or its citizens or subjects in of the conditions charges of traffic or respect or otherwise, Such conditions and charges of traffic shall be just and equitable." And Rule 3 of the same Article states:- " Rule 3. Vessels of war of a belligerent shall not revictual nor take in any stores in the canal except in so far as may be strictly necessary; and the transit of such vessels through the canal shall be effected with the least possible delay in accordance with the regulations in force, and with only such intermission as may result from the necessities of the service. Prizes shall be in all respects subject to the same rules as vessels of war as the belligerents." The Dusseldorf was a prize, and her passage through the Panama Canal was therefore provided for in the Treaty the of the canal. governing use NAVAL AFFAIRS. 21/2/40 - No. 7. "A FIELD OF OATS MAY SAVE A SHIP". ULSTER’S CALL TO FARMERS. "A field of oats may save a ship". With this reminder to Ulster farmers, the Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture is calling on them to make a decisive effort to complete 250,000 acres under the plough by the middle of April. They are asked to look on Ulster's plough-land as "the Maginot Line of the home front.” The farmer now has a guaranteed market and has also the assurance that the Imperial Government will maintain production costs under continuous review so that prices may be adjusted to keep step with costs. 50,OQQ ACRES UNDER FLAX. The Danish and Dutch flax seed-crops as well as the Canadian crop have now been bought by the Government of Northern Ireland to further its plans to sow 50,000 acres with flax this year. The Government is spending £50,000 on research to improve flax production. EMPIRE AFFAIRS. 21/2/40. - No. 8. THE CANADIANS SWING IT. Canadian troops at Aldershot are planning to broadcast a camp entertainment to Canada in a few week's time, including a marching song they have composed since reaching England. Though training is strenuous and continuous, the troops have excellent opportunities for recreation. The camp's cinema is always crowded, and in a hut built by German prisoners during the last war in a neighbouring town, the men are having the time of their lives in teaching their partners (they get plenty of them) the intricacies ofCanadian swing- steps - and in learning a few themselves. EMPIRE AFFAIRS 'Press and Publicity Branch, Tel. No. Abbey 3411. AIR MINISTRY, Ext. King Charles Street, Whitehall, S.W.l. 21st February, 1940. Dear Sir, Royal Air Force Comforts Fund. It is hoped that considerable sums of money will accrue to the Royal Air Force Comforts Fund from sales of "Harry the Hawk" doll mascots. It is desired therefore, to give the dolls the widest possible publicity in order to obtain the wherewithal to provide much needed comforts for the Royal Air Force. The attached notes on the subject are sent to you with the request that you will he good enough to give them some space in your newspaper. Yours faithfully, /for Press Officer. AIR FORCE MASCOT DOLL. ’’Harry the Hawk” Makes a Hit. ’’Harry the Hawk” an airman doll mascot on sale today in the leading stores and toy shops, promises to be very popular in the coming months. He has already made a hit with the R.A.F. and a request from a Squadron in France for a ’’Harry” to be sent to them has been received by the Comforts Committee of the R.A.F. He is the creation of Mrs. J.O.C. Orton, wife of Squadron Leader Orton, M.C.,A.F.C., the well-known film scenario writer. Squadron Leader Orton won his A.F.C. with the Royal Flying Corps in the last war. "Harry” is equipped with full flying kit including a red, white and blue parachute which can be opened or stowed in a pack on his back. His kit has been made with close attention to detail. He has a cheery face and a wicked eye. Most of the profits from the sale of "Harry the Hawk” are to be devoted to the R.A.F, Comforts Fund. The doll is sold in two sizes, 8” high and 10” high, at 3/- and 5/6 respectively, or with parachutes 3/6 and 6/6 respectively "Harry” can be brought in larger sizes for raffling. A two-foot high "Harry" with miniature flying boots, woolly- bear suit and fur lined helmet, perfect in every detail, can be brought for 67/6. Press and Publicity Branch, Air Ministry, King Charles Street, Whitehall, S.W.l. 21st February, 1940. 21/2/40 - No.10. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN. R.A.F. OVER HELIGOLAND. The Air Ministry announces :- Last night a reconnaissance of the Heligoland Bight was carried out successfully by several Royal Air Force aircraft. AIR AFFAIRS. Board of Education Announcement. 21/2/40 - No.11. MR. KENNETH LINDSAY IN BIRMINGHAM. Mr. Kenneth Lindsay, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education, and Chairman of the National Youth Committee, today (Wednesday) addressed a large meeting in Birmingham presided over by the Lord Mayor. This was the third meeting of a Midland tour, during which Mr. Lindsay had addressed representatives of Local Education Authorities and Voluntary Bodies covering the Counties of Staffordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. In each of these areas, including the County Boroughs of Stoke, Wolverhampton, Worcester and Birmingham, Youth Committees are either formed or in process of being formed. "The aim of the Youth campaign", said Mr. Lindsay, "is to throw on Local Education Authorities, together with Voluntary Societies, the responsibility for a far more imaginative approach to the needs of young people. The overwhelming majority of young people between 14 and 20 are young workers. It is essential to grasp that elementary fact. At the time when a minority are enjoying the corporate life, the opportunities of development and aesthetic education afforded by Public and Secondary Schools, these young people are little men and women earning a living. Our task is to see that they reach adult years with free indispensable qualifications, a decent body (and their own teeth), a trade or skill, and some elementary idea of citizenship. It is the job of the local Youth Committee to grapple with that task, and to act as the focus or creative centre for the various bodies who are engaged in helping. Without the resources and prestige of the Local Education Authority there is no backbone, from Voluntary Bodies and the without assistance Churches there is no enthusiasm, without the sympathetic co-operation of organised industry how many would be incomplete. Now is the time for each Authority to plan an ordered policy, now when habits are shaken and the whole country is inspired by a common purpose. There is no tidy pattern and each place must work out its peculiar solution. Fitness is not enough; young people are interested in their job and need training, they are interested in each other and need better facilities for meeting. They are sensitive to beauty, drama and religion. No evening institute, no club, no continuation school, no old scholars’ association which fails to recognise these facts can succeed. Hence the supreme importance of teachers, and teachers who understand human beings. Those who assume leadership are performing work of the highest possible national service.” 21.2.40 - No.12. MINISTRY OF HEALTH. SCOTTISH OFFICE. Her Majesty The Queen’s Message. At the request of Her Majesty the Queen, the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland have undertaken responsibility for the administrative work required in connection with the message which Her Majesty wishes to send to householders who have been caring for evacuated school children during the autumn and winter. The Minister is communicating with the Mayors and Chairmen of authorities in England and the Secretary of State with the Lord Provosts and Conveners of authorities in Scotland in whose districts such children have been received under the Government Scheme and will advise them as to the qualifying conditions. The will be for the housewife and will be message one sent to those who have been caring for the children with substantial continuity during the autumn and winter. No individual applications are necessary or should be made. The information required is in the possession of the local authorities and householders who are entitled will receive the message in due course. MINISTRY OF HEALTH, SCOTTISH OFFICE. WHITEHALL, S.W.1. For Thursday Morning 's Papers. 21/2/40 No. 13 H.M.S. DARING CASUALTY LIST The Secretary of the Admiralty regrets to announce the following casualties as a result of the loss of H.M. S. DARING OFFICERS. Missing believed drowned. Commander S.A.Cooper, R.N. (In Command) Probationary Temporary Midshipman, J.L. Coleman, R.N.V.R. Mr.W.H.Easton, Gunner (TO, R.N. Lieutenant P.C.Gordon, R.N.V.R. Surgeon Lieutenant G.J.Kearney, R.N. Sub-Lieutenant L.G.M.Potts, R.N. Midshipman A.V.Pumfrey, R.N.R. Lieutenant P.L.Roberts, R.N Lieutenant (e) W.J,K.Shaxby, R.N., RATINGS. Missing believed drowned. Amor, F.W. Able Seaman, P/J. 90332 Armstrong, G,W. Able Seaman, P/JX. 138436 Ashfield, F.B. Stoker Petty Officer. P/K. 61491 Barry, D.J. Able Seaman. P/J.102271 Beamin, D.P. Able Seaman. P/JX. 140466 Beilis, A.E. Able Seaman. P/JX. 132147 Bendon, A.H, Chief Petty officer. P/J. 98957 Berry, Reginald, Able Seaman. P/J. 90141 Bevan, A.G. Acting Leading Seaman, P/SSX. 15985 Blair, Dundan, Stoker 1st, Class. P/KX. 84505 Boggeln, F.A. Acting Leading Seaman, P/JX. 163006 Brown, L.W. Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th.Class. P/MX. 62727 Byng, P.N. Acting Leading Seaman, P/JX. 126742 Cameron, J.C. Ordinary Seaman, R.N.S.R. P/JX. 169288 2 Cameron, J.H. Able Seaman P/JX.152171 Campbell, P.H.W. Able Seaman P/5SX.23427 Card, F.G. Stoker Petty Officer, P/K .56007 Carroll, Kenneth Ordinary Seaman, R.N.S.R. P/JX. 168738 Champion, A.T.G. Ordinary Seaman P/JX .l5O87l Charles, G.H. Ordinary Seaman, R.N.S.R. P/JX. 165586 Clark, Albert. Able Seaman C/JX.137478 Cleaver, J.S. Ordinary Seaman, R.N.S.R. P/JX .168739 Clifford, H.H. Able Seaman P/JX.133405 Cole, J.C. Stoker Petty Officer P/K. 75392 Cooke, Arthur Steward P/LX. 21363 P/LX.2l363 Copperthwaite,E.A. Able Seaman P/J.102455 Couling, William Electrical P/M.38502 Artificer,lst Class Cox, R.H. Chief Petty Officer P/J.l04501 Coxon, John Stoker Petty P/K. 64357 Dean, L.J. Stoker, 1st Class P/KX.83839 P/KX. 83839 Driver, J.A. Stoker, 1st Class P/KX. 92907 Drury, F.W. Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class P/MX.50242 Dunbar, J.P. Acting Leading P/SSX, 14350 Seaman Eastman, T.R. Stoker Petty Officer P/K. 63997 Elkins, H.J. Leading Stoker P/KX. 79946 79946 English, William Cook, C/MX .52431 Evans, A.J.L. Leading Stoker P/KX. 81853 Evans, S. J. Signalman D/J.110773 Everby, 0.J. Able Seaman P/JX.143867 Fear, C.E. Able Seaman P/J. 109763 Finlay, D.E. Able Seaman P/J. 99757 Fitton, Robert Ordinary Seaman, P/JX .168745 R.N.S.R, Food, E.W. Able Seaman P/JX.128934 Fox, John Ordinary Seaman, P/JX.168746 R.N.S.R. 3 Gaffney, Albert. Stoker, 2nd Class. C/KX.96504 Gale, G.E.F. Able Seaman. P/SSX. 14403 Gardner, J.W. Chief Engine Room P/M.36103 Artificer, 2nd Class. Garford, R.C. Ordinary Seaman, P/JX. 167889 R.N.S.R. Gissing, John. Petty Officer Cook. P/MX.55734 (Pensr.) Haggerston, V.H. Acting Engine Room P/SR. 8623 Artificer, 4th Class. Harper, G.W. Ordinary Seaman, P/JX.168748 R.N.S.R. Harris, Albert. Able Seaman. P/SSX.14436 Harris, C.E. Stoker, 1st Class. P/KX. 75034 (R.F.R.B.19692) Harrocks, Samuel Able Seaman P/JX.137840 Hatfield, A.E. Able Seaman P/J.98674 Hawkins, G.J. Leading Steward. P/L. 13265 Healey, Arthur Ordinary Seaman, P/JX.168750 R.N.S.R. Hickmott, A. A. Leading Supply P/MX.54117 Assistant. Hill, R.F. Supply Petty Officer. P/MX.50179 Holman, E.O. Able Seaman. P/J.69330 Holman, J.G. Stoker, 1st Class. P/KX.84739 Howat, J.M.B. Acting Leading Seaman. P/JX.128832 Holmes, Frederick. Ordinary Seaman, P/JX.168749 R.N.S.R. Jenkins, F.W. Stoker, 1st Class. P/KX.83635 Jestico, A.W. Petty Officer. P/J.111608 Johncock, E.G. Engine Room Artificer, C/MX.52935 3rd Class. Jones, T.R. Stoker, 1st Class P/K.61680 Jukes, W.G. Able Seaman. P/JX.141795 Keith, John. Acting Leading Stoker. P/KX.86290 Kennard, W.G. Signalman. P/JX. 1407225 King, J.P. Able Seaman. C/JX.129787 Lamont, A.D. Able Seaman. P/JX.143595 Lee, A.H. Acting Yeoman of P/JX.131994 Signals. 4 Little, L.G.W. Officers' Cook, P/LX. 20434. 2nd Class. Loader, C.H. Stoker, 1st Class. P/KX.91766. McGhee, J.G.B. Stoker, 1st Class. P/KX.90519. Miller, E.C. Acting Leading Seaman. P/J.110158. Moon, William. Able Seaman. C/J.115154. Moore, F.C. Stoker, 1st Class. P/KX.84623. Morris, James. Ordinary Seaman, P/JX.168753. R.N.S.R. Mottram, T. de R. Ordnance Artificer, P/M.8643. 2nd Class, Pensioner. Murray, L.A. Leading Seaman. P/JX.131081. Murrison, Alfred. Chief Petty Officer. P/J.51842. Norris, William. Able Seaman. P/JX. 145696. Overend, William. Leading Seaman. P/JX. 140156. Page, A.E. Leading Stoker. P/K .65866. Palmer, Fred. Able Seaman. P/SSX. 16718. Parsons, Maurice. Petty Officer. P/JX. 126434. Penkethman, Thos. Able Seaman. P/SSX. 21192. Pipes, Henry. Able Seaman. P/SSX.19730. Ponter, N.J, Able Seaman. P/JX. 126529. Potts, G.H. Ordinary Seaman, P/JX. 168757. R.N.S.R. Pullan, Harold. Able Seaman. P/J.53918. Purves, R.S. Petty Officer Steward. P/L.6143. (Pension No.15854) Rafter, S.E. Assistant Steward. P/LX. 22766 Rainey, T.H. Able Seaman. P/JX.129478. Rainey, W.G. Telegraphist. C/JX. 140125. Ramsden, W.T. "Probationary Sick Berth 7748. Attendant, R.N.A.S.B.R. Riley, A.H. Acting Leading Seaman. P/JX. 153281. Robinson, Sydney. Able Seaman. P/SSX. 21262. Rushton, W.S. Able Seaman. P/J.112579. 5 Sanderson, George. Ordinary Seaman, P/JX.168766. R.N.S.R. Searle, E.A. Stoker,lst Class, P/KX,91098, Skipp, P.L. Able Seaman. P/J.78876. Slade, M.G. Stoker, 1st Class. P/KX.87487. Slater, E.H. Ordinary Seaman, P/JX.168767. R.N.S.R. Smith, E.S. Stoker, 1st Class. P/K.64972. Smith, F.R.B. Stoker Petty Officer P/K.59442. Smith, T.H. Ordinary Seaman, P/JX.168533 R.N.S.R. Smith, T.S. Able Seaman. P/J.110912. Steele, Thomas. Stoker, 1st Class. P/KX.83870. Stennings, R.E. Chief Stoker. P/K.62234. P/K.62234. Still, F.J. Able Seaman, R.F.R. B/20025. Stokes, W.G. Stoker, 1st Class. P/K.65267. Straughan, Edward. Able Seaman. P/JX.129776. P/JX.129776. Sturgess, B.G. Able Seaman. P/JX.142840. Tabersham, F.G.A. Stoker, 2nd Class. C/KX.129787. Tanner, D.V. Signalman. P/JX.139930. Tate, Milton. Stoker, 1st Class. P/KX.84616. Taylor, G.M. Telegraphist. P/JX.150824. Taylor, J.S.P. Ordinary Seaman, P/JX. 168545. R.N.S.R. Thatcher, H.F. Ordinary Seaman, P/JX.168540. R.N.S.R. Tingley, T.A. Ordinary Seaman P/JX.168542. R.N.S.R. Tompkins, G.R.I. Acting Leading P/JX.138338. Seaman. Trott, D.G. Able Seaman, P/JX.140335. Tume, A.C. Able Seaman. P/J.111977. Turpitt, Charles. Leading Telegraphist D/J.107675. Vincent, W.S.T. Stoker 1st Class. P/KX.90590, Walsh, Francis. Ordinary Seaman, P/JX.168552. R.N.S.R. Walter, F.D. Ordinary Seaman, P/JX.168556. R.N.S.R. Walton, S.R. Telegraphist. P/JX.154035. 6 Ward, P.L. Acting Leading Seaman. P/JX.139689 Watson, W.W, Ordinary Seaman, R.N.S.R. P/JX.168550 Webster, C.H. Acting Petty Officer. P/JX.131448 Wells, A.E. Ordinary Seaman, R.N.S.R. P/JX.168554 White, Charles Acting Leading Seaman P/JX.126943 Whitehead, R.J.F. Stoker, 1st Class. P/KX.92912 Whitelock, E.G. Able Seaman P/SSX.16917 Willis, G.H. Able Seaman, R.F.R. P/J.113592 Willmott, C.A. Stoker, 1st Class P/KX.81463 Wilson, J.M. Engine Room Artificer, P/MX.50356. 3rd Class. Wilson, N.E. Electrical Artificer, P/MX.48742 4th Class. Woolston, S.R. Able Seaman. P/J.98913. Wormald, David. Stoker, 1st Class. P/SS.116521 (R.F.R.B. 10499). Wright, T.W. Able Seaman. P/J. 96255 N.A.A.F.I. STAFF. Hurding, J.E. Foxen, A.E. ADMIRALTY, S.W.l 21.2.40 - No.14. MINISTRY OF FOOD ANNOUNCEMENT. EGG STORAGE. The Ministry of Food have under consideration arrangements for utilising to the best advantage the limited facilites available for the cold storage and pickling of eggs. Producer organisations, wholesalers and retailers engaged in the egg trade who may desire to store eggs in the spring should apply at once to the Ministry of Food, Great Westminster House, Horseferry Road, London, S.W.l., stating the quantity it is desired to store, whether home-produced or imported, the stores that it is desired to use, and the quantities stored in each of the past two years. 21/2/40 - No.15. BOARD OF TRADE ANNOUNCEMENT. TRADING WITH THE ENEMY. NOTICE TO TRADERS AND OTHERS. 1. The Board of Trade announce that they have made an Order, called Trading with the the Enemy (Specified Persons) (Amendment) (No.2) Order, 1940, which contains 16 additions to the list or persons specified in the Trading with the Enemy (Specified Persons) (Amendment) (No.4) Order, 1939, as varied by the Trading with the Enemy (Specified Persons) (Amendment) (No.1) Order 1940. The new Order came into force on the 20th February. 2. Traders, shipowners and others are accordingly warned that, as from to-day, it will be unlawful to transact business or to have other dealings with any person specified in the Order without permission from the Trading with the Enemy Branch (Treasury and Board of Trade), Alexandra House, Kingsway, W.C.2. Offenders will be liable to heavy penalties. 5. Correspondence with enemies on business matters will be permitted in approved cases, tout communications will not be passed by the censorship authorities except with the prior approval of the Trading with the Enemy Branch (see below), or, in the case of communications regarding patents, designs or trademarks, with the prior approval of the Patent Office. Persons who desire to communicate with enemy on business an matters should therefore forward the communication to the Trading with the Enemy Branch, or to the Patent Office (enclosed in a stamped, open envelope addressed to an intermediary in a neutral country), under cover of a letter explaining the circumstances in which it is desired to send it. 4. The Order is toeing published by His Majesty's Stationery Office under the title of The Trading with the Enemy (Specified Persons) (Amendment) (No.2) Order, 1940, (Statutory Rules and Orders, 1940, No.224). Copies may be obtained (price 1d.) from any of the Sale Offices of His Majesty’s Stationery Office, or through any bookseller. Board of Trade, 21st F ebrua ry , 1940. 21/2/40 - No. 16. IRISH RESULT OF THE BLACKOUT, Fewer Accidents. The "black-out" in Northern Ireland seems to have had the remarkable effect of reducing the number of road accidents. According to an official return there were only 113 accidents during January, with eleven people killed and 125 injured. In January 1939 there were 132 accidents, with 10 killed and 140 injured. Compared with December, 1939, the decline last month was more noticeable, the figures for December being 186 accidents, with 20 killed and 189 injured. Old Age Pensions. Increases in old age pensions in Northern Ireland, similar to those to be introduced in Great Britain, are to be made from the first week in June, it is announced by the Northern Ireland Minister of Labour. The age limit for the payment of old age pensions to women insured in their own rights, and to the wives of contributory pensioners who have reached 65, is to be reduced to 60 from July 1. EMPIRE AFFAIRS. MINISTRY OF FOOD ANNOUNCEMENT. 21/2/40 - No 17. SUPPLIES OF FISH PLENTIFUL. The Ministry of Food announces that fish, other than herrings, is both plentiful and cheap this week. Housewives should accordingly take advantage of this favourable shopping opportunity. N5 "BROADCASTING AND THE WAR" B.B.C. DIRECTOR-GENERAL AT OXFORD "This is the first radio the first that is, in war; war, which the full force of broadcasting is felt across national frontiers," said Mr. F. W. Ogilvie, Director-General of the B.B.C., in an address in the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, this (Wednesday) afternoon. "Wireless not merely reflects the course of events," continued Mr. "it has become something which helps to shape Ogilvie; their and certain broadcasts themselves now part of the course, are stuff of It in broadcast from Danzig that Hitler history. was a the made his so-called ’peace offer’ to the Allies; it was on air that Molotov rejected Finland’s proposals; it was on the air, again, that Finland made its appeal to the United States." Mr. Ogllvie gave two British examples by means of gramophone records. He said that last there had been throughout August year many diplomatic exchanges between London and Berlin, but, as the Blue Books the Government in London had received detailed now show, no for the solution of the Polish question. On the night of proposals the August 31, it was the B.B.C. bulletin at 11 o’clock which gave sixteen points, picked up from the German wireless an hour or so before. The next day, September 1, Mr. Chamberlain, referring to this in the House of Commons, said: "We never got a copy of those proposals, and the first time we heard them - we heard them - was on the broadcast last night." two at 11.15 the morning of September 3, Again, days later, on it was a broadcast which declared that a state of war existed between this country and Germany. country remained in war-time what it Broadcasting in this was in peace, a public corporation set up by Charter, controlled by a Board of Governors, reduced in number for war-time, and charged with the task of disseminating "information, education and entertain- ment" through the air. "Information, education and entertainment:" that was the statutory triad. There could obviously be no hard-and- fast lines between them - indeed, in much of the B.B.C’s work the three elements ought to be, and he believed were, indistinguishable - but it was its business to see that all three were fairly represented in the and that neglected. And in all its programmes, none was it best in war in work was its business to ensure as might be, as that freedom of and discussion preserved the peace, speech were on and that the voices true civilisation continued to air, of a European ring in its programmes. How far the B.B.C. succeeded in attaining its listeners to not for the servants of the objectives was for say, Corporation. "The customer is always right;" even when, - as frequently happened in broadcasting, the customer’s views were diametrically opposed to the views of others, also customers who might be not less competent than he to judge. In war-time it was news which listeners were chiefly looking from China it its service that the for, to Peru, and was upon news reputation of a broadcasting station largely depended. Truthfulness, objectivity, independence - these merely the touch-stones were not of any good news service. They were among the objects for which this country was at war, and the B.B.C. believed that British breadcasting had an important part to play in helping to preserve them. (Contd.); ”0n my way to Oxford a few days ago,” continued Mr. Ogilvie, ”I happened to notice by the wayside a poster with this cautionary legend: ’Gossip is the Devil’s B.B.C.’ The meaning is perhaps a little obscure, but I hope that it meant what I should like it to mean. I hope that, as one of its morals, it pointed to the trust- worthiness of the broadcast news service of this country. "Broadcasting is only one of the agents for disseminating news. It is not rival to the other main agents, the press and the films. Rather, broadcasters in this country believe that all these agents are allies in the common task of presenting, to our own people and to the world, as clear and as faithful a picture as we can of the march of events; presenting them, of course, in our own different ways. Broadcasting is to the the press to the eye, ear, and broadcasting and the press are no more antagonistic than are these two organs of the head.” Mr. Ogilvie then demonstrated various actuality broadcasts with from observers in gramophone records, including reports B.B.C. France and Finland and a Scottish farmer’s impressions of the destruction of a German aeroplane. In a reference to school broadcasting, Mr. Ogilvie said that, since January 8, when the spring term began, regular schedules were running for infants, junior, senior and secondary classes. The. schedules were modified to suit war-time conditions, and in particular the many children who had drifted back: to the towns and were at home without schooling had not been forgotten. Referring to the bulk of the programmes, the speaker emphasised that restriction to a single programme meant that programme time was reduced by as much as seventy-five per cent., compared with pre-war days. But in that little room the B.B.C. tried to put all the riches it could to suit the varied needs and tastes of listeners: riches mainly British-made, but also largely from abroad. For the international of had done much before the war to exchange programmes make the peoples of the world better known to each other; and since the war, except for enemy countries, this exchange had continued freely - principally with France, Italy, the Dominions and the United States. Much of the material in the B.B.C's home programmes was directed the Gardening talks, for to prosecution of the war. example, which once border, now discussed told chiefly of the flower food production; cookery talks described war-time recipes and devices. "The Voice of the Nazi” dealt with the technique of German propaganda, the "Shadow of the Swastika” reconstructed dramatically and in historic detail the rise of the Nazi movement. of The B.B.C. conducted a European service for nineteen hours the day, and world service largely for listeners in the Empire - a - for almost the whole of the twenty-four hours; this world service It differentiating into two for a considerable part of the time. was only two years since a foreign language service was first broadcast from this country - the Arabic service in January, 1938. Spanish and Portuguese for Latin America followed two months later, and French, German and Italian at Munich time. Now it had eighteen languages other than English, and three more were to follow shortly. The standards of truthfulness and objectivity guided the same Corporation’s news service overseas as at home. And honourable listeners, as the Arabic announcer calls them, do listen overseas, as the mail-bag abundantly testified. At times there were some from of the curious by-products of listening: a correspondent one (Contd. ) Balkan countries, for example, wrote the other day: ”1 spoke with wives who told that they are very grateful to the B.B.C., because their husbands are so eager to hear the B.B.C. news that they rather abdicate from going to the club or cafe, and in this way your transmission contributes to the upkeep of family peace.” Mr. Ogilvie drew attention to the programme for the Forces, ”a new project which I am sure will have your good wishes.” "Very in the the Corporation decided that, if early war technical difficulties could be overcome sufficiently to allow of a second medium-wave programme English, the three in fighting services should have the first claim upon it. Accordingly on January 7, we introduced a few experimental items in the evening, and now, for the last throe days, we have been running a full twelve-hour programme. This service is designed to meet entirely novel listening conditions. Listening at sea and in the field is done almost entirely in groups, which may vary from half-a-dozen to a hundred or more. And while individual tastes doubt do not change much, because no change, or men discard mufti and put on uniform, the paramount consideration is the very real change in their of living and listening. We ways obviously have to take close account of the nature of this change in planning the make-up of the programme. "This programme can also be heard in many parts of this country, and so it may act as a lively link with the front. Though separated in Mum and the kids’ which is England may space, 'Dad, - - often be to Or they may listening the same programme together. even be taking part together in the same programme: as, for example, soldiers in France and members of their families at home competing against each other in a spelling bee.” Mr. Ogilvie concluded his wide selection of demonstration records of Gracie Fields. He outstanding broadcasts with a song by added: anniversary of the invention "This year, 1940, is the 500th of movable type for printing, and the world commemorates with pride and the the obscure metal worker gratitude name of Johann Gutenberg, of Mainz, whose revolutions of discovery became one of the supreme history. A mechanical and it has set minds free, and device; yet put into the hands of us common men the achievements of the master spirits of faith and thought through the ages. like all the "Broadcasting is a mechanical art; and, mechanical arts, it has no virtue hut in the use men make of it. Like the printing press, it can he perverted to the uses of tyranny. Or it may be able to help immeasurably in advancing the cause of and culture and fun into liberty and civilisation, bringing strength every home.” WITH COMPLIMENTS FROM THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION, BROADCASTING HOUSE, PORTLAND PLACE, LONDON, W.1. 21st February, 1940 21/2/40 - No. 19 FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE (EVENING) Local infantry and artillery action. Renewal of aviation activity. 21/2/40 - No.20. BROADCAST SPEECH BY THE RIGHT HON. MALCOLM MACDONALD, M.P., SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES, IN THE B.B.C. HOME SERVICE AT 9.15 P.M. TODAY. In this fateful war Britain’s arms and fair reputation are sustained by the support of a united Colonial Empire. No fact should give us more pride and quiet confidence in the justice of our cause. The nations of the Empire which are self-governing, the Dominions, sprung to our side; have and it is deeply moving that the Canadians and the Australians and the New Zealanders are moving up towards the battle-line. But it is no less moving that the peoples of the colonies are eager to share with us every hazard and danger of the war. They are not self-governing; they are still under our rule; they are small communities who might be excused if they shunned the fight; it is significant indeed that they, who have experience of us as rulers, recognise us instinctively as the champion of the liberty of small peoples. It is difficult to generalise about the Colonial Empire, for its two score and ten territories are widely distributed in every part of the world. And the peoples of the colonies are as varied as the lands in which they live. Some of them are the proud inheritors of established civilisations, whose educated citizens are accustomed to high standards of material well-being and culture, But over vast stretches of the Empire the manner of life is much simpler, and in parts it is even yet in a primitive state. Remember that it was only in the lifetime of some of you who are still living that David Livingstone made his pioneer journeys through Central Africa, discovering peoples in a state of complete unsophistication as deep as that of our own predecessors in ancient Britain than more 2,000 years ago. So the stage of political development of Colonial peoples differs from territory to territory. Under our guidance some of them have already progressed far along the road towards self-government. In one colony, for instance, most of the Government Departments are already under the control of responsible local Ministers and popularly elected local legislators; and, in many of the dependencies Legislatures have sprung up who wield greater or lesser power. And yet at the other end of the Colonial scale there are countries whose inhabitants have little capacity to look after their own affairs, and there the rule of Downing Street is still almost absolute. But the main purpose of our policy, even amongst the most backward races, is to train those Colonial peoples to stand always a little more securely on their own feet, so that there is a steady development of freedom amongst all His Majesty’s subjects, in whatever part of the world they may live. /In -2- In the meantime we are the trustees for their well-being, and I are responsible for their good government. I think we must follow two principles. First, preserve and encourage everything that is good in the different ways of life and beliefs of each tribe or community or national people in the Colonial Empire, so that they remain their own characteristic selves, and can make their own particular contributions to the varied story of mankind. Second, introduce in appropriate measure into every colony what is best in the thought and practice of our Western civilisation, which has made so many discoveries that can help to make life fuller and more enjoyable for all men. But the spread of an administration which is enlightened, and of up-to-date health and medical and education services amongst the widely and often sparsely scattered population-of the colonies is a slow process. For one thing, the provision of such services is costly. And there we come up against one of the most obstinate problems of colonial development. Again, I would warn you, it is not easy to generalise. Conditions vary so much from colony to colony. Nature has blessed those lands very unequally. Some of them are the owners of rich minerals, like oil or tin or copper or gold; and the sale of these and some other highly prized colonial products brought a goodly measure of wealth to these particular communities. Their governments dispense comparatively large revenues. But these are a minority of Colonial territories. Most of them possess no mineral wealth, nor are they endowed with that other present source of abundant material well-being, great manufacturing industries. Most colonies are agricultural lands, under whose tropical or semi-tropical sun grow sugar and cocoa, citrus fruits and spices, coconuts and old-seeds, tea and coffee, and many other exotic foodstuffs, which may be essential to the welfare of mankind but have ceased for a long time past to make fortunes for their producers. 3 The general slump in the prices of these things has had a most crippling effect on the revenues of colonial governments, and so their capacity to provide good service in every department has been limited. Though the colonies are eager to support themselves to the maximum possible degree by their own efforts, most of them cannot, at present at any rate, make sufficient progress without financial as well as other assistance from outside. So it is part of the duties of our trusteeship to provide that help. For many years past this principle has been recognised. The British taxpayer has long been ministering to the well-being of his colonial fellow-citizens by contributing towards essential schemes of capital development, towards important surveys and research work, towards the establishment of enlightened agricultural and other services which shall build up the economic strength of the colonies and enable them ultimately to support from their own resources all the necessary services of good government. That Self Sufficiency is the ultimate goal of our assistance. Yesterday, despite the other great demands made upon us made in the stress of war, the Government announced a further extension of this policy of assistance to the colonies and protectorates and mandated territories for whose administration we are responsible. Let me summarise briefly the main new points of advance, I would mention three points. First, in place of a Colonial Development Fund of a maximum of £1,000,000 a year, we are to make provision for assistance towards colonial research, development and welfare up to £5,500,000 a year. This sum is assured for at least ten years ahead. If as a result of experience this scale of expenditure proves inadequate, it will he open to Parliament to increase it further. But you will realise that the expenditure of £5,500,000 a year in the Colonies will he equivalent to much larger a expenditure in, say, this country, because general costs in the colonies are very much lower than they are here. 4 The second point to which I would draw attention is this. Hitherto under the terms of the Colonial Development Act we have given financial assistance only to schemes which were strictly concerned with the economic or material development of the colonies. Thus education (apart from technical education) was Beyond the range of our help. Its true that occasionally we made a grant towards some special educational object, as we did when gave £l00,000 last year towards we the endowment fund of what will Become a University College in East Africa. But, apart from that, educational opportunities in the colonies has only grown according to the financial means of the local governments, which, especially in times of depression, were some- times sparse. Under the Government’s new proposals announced yesterday we shall widen the whole field of our help and give regular aid to the education services of the colonies, which should Be the greatest contribution of all to their emancipation. Third, but not least, we are to sweep away another limitation on our power to help. Hitherto under the Colonial Development Act we have only Been able to give assistance to the capital cost of development schemes. We could contribute to the Building of research stations or hospitals or improved transport systems, and so on. But we could not make any payment at all to their running costs afterwards. Thus, if it appeared that the colonial government concerned would not Be able to afford to pay these maintenance costs, then the schemes never came into Being at all. In fact it has Been a principle of Colonial policy up to now that each colony should Be a self-supporting unit, that its people should have only those services, whether rich or poor, which it could afford to maintain out of its own resources. Now that old principle is to go, and under the government’s new proposals we shall Be able to assist colonial governments not only in the initial establishment But also in the more prolonged upkeep of any of those services which are needed in these days for the proper welfare of the peoples of the colonies. So yesterday the British people took another long step forward in the accomplishment of their Imperial policy. In no spirit of Boastfulness, But with feelings of some pride, we can look Back on the record of the past. In our own lifetime there has Been a remarkable climax to British Imperial achievement; five of the old colonies have grown to full nationhood, and the Empire is transformed into a Commonwealth of free Nations. The Dominions do not need any longer our guidance; But our duty remains to the colonial peoples. That very achievement of complete freedom By the Dominions testifies to the fact that British Imperial genius is not spent; it is indeed at the zenith of its powers. Let us devote ourselves to the steady achievement of greater well-being and happiness and freedom also amongst the sixty million citizens of the Colonial Empire. BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION.