FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW
 WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR
 DAILY SURVEY OF

 MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
 REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE
 COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC




 1940
 84 23rd April ,

 No.

 U.S.A: EFFECT ON NEUTRALS OF GERMAN SEA LOSSES.


 The view that German naval losses inflicted by the R.A.F. and the Royal
 on neutral
Navy are certain to create a deep impression naval experts is expressed
in today’s NEW YORK HERALD TRIBUNE.


 states that the "hold-up for
 writing in this newspaper Walter Lippmann
Hitler in Scandinavia has caused a change in the diplomatic weather to Hitler’s

 in the European capitals, and adds: "It is now clear that Hitler’s
disadvantage"
 He is
stroke in S c andinavia is a partial but by no means a complete success.

not to have Norway without fighting for it. He has suffered irreparable losses
 circumstance that is bound to the Italian and Japanese
in his navy - a impress
navies.


 to be sunk in
 "The British navy, which on the theory of a knock-out blow was


 because is too has actually to Norway where it
Scapa Flow Norway near, gone over


is still nearer to theGerman air force and is landing an
 army in Norway."


 Walter Winchell in an article in the NEW YORK MIRROR on the German people's
collection of scrap metal asbirthday present
 a for their Leader, declares: "It
would, have made a lot of people much happier if the gift had been just one little

piece of lead."


 Referring to the supply of U. S. war materials to the Allies ATLANTA

CONSTITUTION stated: "It is the concensus of opinion that the rapid acceleration
 forced Hitler to abandon his plans for
in American production of fighting planes
 of attrition, which he believed he could eventually win, and risk all
a long war


on such a daring exploit as the invasion of Norway. There can be no doubt that

 of conflict Hitler to the British and French
by opening up a new arena gave

navies and armies the best opportunity they have yet had to strike against
G ermany.



 "Within a year, it is reliably stated, American factories will be turning
out fighting planes at the rate of several thousand a month -
 a production speed
which Hitler cannot hope to equal. Even on the cash and carry oasis of the

United States neutrality law, the Allies, through the use of American securities

held, in England and F r ance and the component lands of the British federation of
nations and through gold production and reserve stocks, can continue for several
 to all the and materials that America can produce for their
years huy planes war

needs. Thus Hitlerian hopes of securing supplies from Russia or the Balkan
 any
countries sufficient to hold out the Allied, blockade until his enemies
 against
 must be he turns to policy
are financially worn out abandoned. Instead, a new

of ruthless war, out at which he considers might develop to
 lashing any spot
Germany's advantage through surprise and strategic value.


 "H owever, when Hitler challenges the supremacy of the Allied fleets on the

high seas he invites disaster. With American planes pouring faster and faster
into Allied, hands his vaunted superiority in the air is also fast disappearing
if indeed it has not already gone."



 The strengthening of neutral resistance to Germany was emphasised in the

LAN ANTONIO EXPRESS which wrote: "With British troops in Norway to that
 help
 in
country resist the Nazi invaders, and with Finland's heroic example fresh
their minds, Europe’s remaining neutrals are talcing heart. Without exception,
they have stiffened their economic and political resistance to Nazi encroachment
and warned the aggressors that to meet invasion with all their
 they are prepared
guns and resources. Thus it must be clear to Hitler as he counts the cost of

his Norwegian venture that the days of easy victory are over. He must pay
 "
heavily for any future gains in blood and material.
FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW
 DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR

 TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
 COMPILED FROM




 1940
No. 84. 25rd Aprll,

 BELGIUM: NAZI PRINCIPLES CONDEMNED.


 An unusually strong attack on Nazi principles is made today in VOORUIT, the

Socialist newspaper, printed, in Flemish.


 Though considerable differences of opinion are evident in the Belgian Press

regarding Signor Mussolini's attitude -

 STANDAARD, the Flemish Catholic
 the

newspaper considers that the Duce has not yet reached a decision, and LE PEUPLE

emphasises the fact that the Fuehrer's reply to Signor Mussolini's telegram
proves that Germany is not satisfied with mere pious hopes for her victory -




VOORUIT is convinced that the axis partners are "hand in glove".


 Commenting on the MESSAGGERO ’s statement that the Italian people "sends her

greetings to her ally who is fighting for the highest principles of international
justice", VOORUIT declares: "What are these principles? It is only a question
of might, oppression by force, of slavery, destruction, violation, murder
organised by official robbery, inhumanity and barbarism such as the Middle Ages
never knew."



 Referring to Germany's attempts to blockade Britain, the military corres-


pondent of XXme SIECLE, the Catholic newspaper, states: "There is one blockade

which has completely failed, namely the German blockade of Britain. Despite
strenuous efforts with various arms, British tonnage destroyed is so insignificant
that the threat has completely disappeared."

 The writer proceeds to show how each weapon of the German blockade has been

met and rendered ineffective by Allied counter measures. On the question of
submarines he adds: "The relative inaction of German submarines during the

Norwegian crisis
 proves that their flotillas have suffered heavy losses which
have not been made good."



 SWITZERLAND: HITLER'S GOOD TURN FOR THE ALLIES.


 when she invaded Norway and did Britain
 Germany made a strategic error a


good. turn.


 This is the key-note of comment which appears in today* s GAZETTE DE

 the Liberal which writes: "Hitler's Norwegian adventure
LAUSANNE, newspaper,
 has lost at
has suddenly transformed. Germany’s favourable situation. Germany
the lowest estimate the greater part of her
 light cruisers, one-third of her

heavy cruisers, both battle-ships, one-third of her destroyers and numerous
submarines. Without appreciable loss, the British fleet has dedicated her

adversary.

 "The second
 consequence is that by occupying Denmark and Norway the Reich
has closed, neutral territorial waters of which she was the sole beneficiary.
With the imminent fall of Narvik Germany loses her chief iron-ore route, and
any action against Sweden will completely cut off supplies.

 "The third and gravest consequence is the liberation of the Franco-British
fleet to intervene wherever her action Germany has turned
 necessary. By own a


really advantageous strategic situation to her own detriment. "
 FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW
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 RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
 COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS




 23rd April, 1940
 No. 84.
 GERMANY: ATTENTION DIRECTED TOWARDS S.E.EUROPE.



 The German Press, having written off Scandinavia as a Nazi "success", has in

part turned its attention to South Eastern Europe, where the Allies are depicted
as plotting against the independence of the Danubian countries, exactly as they
were accused a fortnight ago of planning the destruction of Scandinavia’s liberties.


 The German view is reflected in a leading article in the BERLINER BOERSEN
 written the newspaper’s diplomatic correspondent and
ZEITUNG, by Karl Kegerle, a


recognised mouthpiece of the German Foreign Office.



 Liberally sprinkled with typical Nazi allegations against the Allies, the

article, which was headed "Now the Balkans?", stated: "The Balkan countries are

in a state of terror and unrest as a result of the war propaganda launched by-
England and France, in order to create a demand for their preventive assistance.
In turn, state is shown to be threatened either by Germany, Russia or Italy,
 every
No doubt an attempt will be made to effect a psychological and propagandist short-

circuit of S o
 uth Eastern reasonableness, with events in S c andinavia, and to make

capital out of sympathy and fear in order to bring finally into action that process
of alliances, guarantees and blockade measures which has not worked up to the

present.


 Herr Chamberlain attempted in the House of Commons to represent the discuss-

ions with the British Balkan Envoys as quite harmless. It is, however, known that
these discussions just as in the case of the attack on Norway, were one of the
results of the new activity decided upon during the infamous Supreme War Council of
March 28, They are intended to promote the sharpening of the Blockade, its

geographical extension and the more active conduct of the war demanded of their
Governments by the disillusioned Western peoples.

 "It the Chamberlain who declared four before his warships
 was sane days
violated Norwegian neutrality that the Allies would never sink so low as to do

injustice to any neutral. The position, therefore, demands the utmost caution. It
is even possible that in M.Reynaud’s infamous words the Allies will attempt to

support the phase of diplomatic activity with cannon, tanks and
 new
 aeroplanes,
but the South Eastern countries wish to live in peace - and Germany and her

friends can affirm peace in the Balkans all the more sincerely because it corres-


ponds with her own interests."


 An example of disavowal of German foreign propagandists -
 an understood thing
in Nazi foreign policy-was given in a message published in the FRANKFURTER ZEITUNG
under the headline "Forged Leaflets -
 Measures of police Authorities in Belgrade"

 The message, which was apparently from the paper’s own correspondent in
Belgrade, stated that the Belgrade police recently discovered that leaflets were


being distributed in the city with the intention of discrediting Germany, The

leaflets called the population "not to believe the and promises of
 on speeches
Chamberlain and Reynaud, but to believe those of Yugoslavia’s great and powerful
neighbour, Germany." The people were urged to abandon all resistance to the Reich

'Which in view of the latter’s strength is fain and dangerous."


 Concluding, the stated: "The leaflets were intended to create the
 message
impression of a German propaganda directed against the neutrality and even the

national independence of Yugoslavia. In the night of
 April 6, such leaflets were

showered out of an aeroplane, the nationality of which has not been established."
 FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW
 DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR

 TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
 COMPILED FROM




 23rd April, 1940
 No. 84.
 SWEDEN; CAUTIOUS ATTITUDE OF ITALY AND RUSSIA.


 Both Russia and Italy are "sitting on the fence" and are keenly watching

events before making any decision as to whether they will enter the war.


 This view has been advanced in STOCKHOLMS TIDNINGEN, which began an

editorial article yesterday by pointing out the great importance attached by
Germany to the exchange of military delegations. Italy however attached far
less importance to these exchanges and, added the newspaper: "The impression

remains that Signor Mussolini desires to keep all possibilities open, although it
is possible the Norwegian campaign may force his decision.



 "The Soviet wishes to resume trade negotiations with Britain partly because
Russia's imports from Germany are closed to a
 great extent by the British blockade
in Norwegian waters, and Viborg is not yet suitable as import harbour.
 an It is

probable that Britain will exploit the situation to stop German imports via the

Pacific and Siberia.


 "Russia also stands outside the conflict and it
 appears that neither Russia
 share the German optimism regarding the issue of the
nor Italy completely
Norwegian adventure. Neither Rome nor Moscow can entertain a particular desire
 ”
to see Norway and. Denmark under German domination.


 A strong tone was adopted by SOCIAL DEMOKRATEN in referring to German air
violations of Swedish territory. This journal wrote: "These actions constitute a


ruthless violation of Swedish neutrality and will be interpreted in this way by the
whole Swedish people and the rest of the world except the Totalitarian states
which have a different conception of international law."



 Continuing, SOCIAL DEMOKRATEN considered that Sweden's strictly neutral
attitude did not justify the German action "which perhaps is an expression of
desperation in face of the Allies' threatening action in Naturally
 Norway.
Sweden will protest firmly to Berlin."


 HUNGARY: REPORTS OFFSET.


 Though the Hungarian papers generally continue to give Berlin reports of the

fighting in Norway front page prominence, P STER LLOYD wrote in a leading article

yesterday? "The increasing activity of the British in Norway will not allow the
 "
German forces to continue in passivity.


 Emphasis was laid by the Budapest newspapers on the determined tone of the

Italian Press, though it was noted that Italy had left the door open for discussion.


 MAGYAR NEUZET, the Christian Conservative newspaper, dealt, in an editorial

article, with anti-British propaganda which declared that Britain was decadent
and.the British Empire was doomed, to go the way of Rome and. Byzantium, The article

sought to prove objectively that Britain' had always fought for her own aims and
ideals with her own methods.


 "A people may be good fighters without being professional militarists,”
it was stated. ”A long distance runner
 may be an equally good athlete as a

 ”
sprinter.
 FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW
 DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR

 TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
 COMPILED FROM




 No. 84.
 23rd April, 1940


 FRANCE: WARNING ON ANGLO-RUSSIAN NEGOTIATIONS.


 The possibility of Britain’s opening trade negotiations with Soviet Russia
has been discussed in the French Press, and a note of warning was sounded by some

commentators.



 Writing in the OEUVRE Mme. Tabouis declared: "The news that Lord Halifax

has resumed contact with IE Maisky, the Russian Ambassador, has raised the
 of the Great Powers,
greatest interest in the capitals According to the opinion
of the most authorised circles, this demarche by the Head, of the Foreign Office
is likely to have far-reaching results in the international sphere.


 ”By showing her willingness for a revival of Russo-British commercial

negotiations, with the aim of adapting the trade between the two countries to war

necessities, England has shown her desire to find a basis for the lessening af
tension between Britain and the Soviet. Any economic arrangement which would

allow the Reich
 get to supplies from the U.S.S.R. would find Great Britain

completely uncompromising. M. Molotov’s reply to L ord Halifax’s suggestions is
awaited in London. In the tenor of this will to clarify
 any case, reply serve

Moscow’s attitude towards the belligerents.”


 In the LATIN M. Fabry stated: "England is ready to discuss with the Soviet
the possibility of renewing the commercial negotiations which were interrupted at
the time of the Red Army’s invasion of Finland.


 "An official communique informs us of this and the accompanying commentaries
indicate the nature of the precautions which the Foreign Office is taking with

regard to this renewal of contacts. It is
 easy to understand that the memory of
other negotiations make such precautions essential. The members of French and
British military missions will not easily forget the final session during which
Marshal Voroshilov told them plainly that there was nothing further they could do
in Moscow. The terrible struggle in which our existence is at stake makes it

necessary for us to express with all the
 necessary moderation, but with the
frankness required by the situation, the hope that England and France will not be
unaware of the risks of such negotiations.


 "Any policy which made of Stalin an arbiter even at the cost of further

treachery towards Germany would be full of It would
 danger. perhaps be a

 "
political success. It would certainly be a moral failure.


 HOLLAND: GERMANY'S CALCULATIONS UPSET.


 "German calculations have been upset", was the statement made by DU MAASBODE,
the Catholic newspaper in comment speculating as to whether Germany intended to
draw Britain into a new front by the invasion of Norway.

 The chief factors which had. upset Germary' s calculations were Norwegian
resistance and the speedy arrival of British forces.



 Referring to Holland’s overseas possessions HET VADERLAIID, the Liberal organ,
stated yesterday: "The Netherlands Empire was built up by ourselves and no

efforts or sacrifices will ever be too great to uphold it at home or overseas.

Consequently the Netherlands is for any aggressor an indigestible piece of land

and so a stabilising factor in surging Europe."
 FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW
 DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR

 COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION




 No. 84. 23rd April, 1940


 CHILE: AGGRESSION A BOOMERANG.


 That aggesssor nations merely make things worse for themselves when the
final the belief the
 reckoning comes was expressed in an article in Conservative

newspaper EL MERCURIO.


 "Each day that passes makes more painful the sad situation of Norway -
 the
victim of an unjustified and violent aggression. The methods of the Nazis
against Norway are not acceptable to any cultured spirit possessing the
elementary notions of humanity and respect for the independence and sovereignty
of nations and individuals. 'without a declaration of war and using military
forces disguised, as tourists Germany lays waste with blood and fire an


independent nation with the object of utilising her ports.

 "In Narvik a fight is taking place between the invaders and the national
defenders with the help of the British Army. From no view-point does this
aggression constitute a feat. Norway is a country with a small population and
weak defences and peacful people who that
 a never thought they might fall victim
to a regime of violence.


 "
 Universal opinion, appreciating the elementary conditions of liberty and
human dignity, felt profound sympathy for Finland in her defence against the
brutal Communist aggression. Norway's case is similar. Until now, no success

has attended the doctrines justifying abuse and outrage. The extension of
aggression only consolidates the cause against this policy. Humanity cannot
accept the methodical destruction of all that has helped to build up civilisation."

 EGYPT: RELATIONS WITH ITALY.


 The Italian attitude towards the war occupied the attention of the
 has

 which has taken the opportunity a number of times to point out
Egyptian Press,
the liability to attack of Italy's sea communications and her overseas empire.



 In an article entitled "Italy and Egypt" AL BALAGH referred to comments made

 Signor in the GIORNALE D. ITALIA regarding Italian and Egyptian
by Gayda
friendship, and added: "We welcome such a tone at a time when nothing is heard
but sabre rattlings and threats. Egypt wants to be friendly with all states,
and if her sympathies are with the Democracies it is because she is a


democratic power, and because of her religion, and no-one should blame her for

that.



 "Egypt's attitude is most clear she is a small independent state in -




alliance with Britain, but this does not prevent her from being friendly with
other states. It is a defensive unoffensive alliance. Egypt needed it
because she lacks national defence and Britain is her natural ally because
of the similarity of interests. If there had been no treaty the position
would have been the same. Egypt's alliance with Britain should not annoy
Italy because Britain is no
 enemy of Italy's, nor desires to be one. It is
obvious that if anything evil happens between Britain and Italy it mil not be

by Britain's action or by her desire."
 Special Supplement (No. 2)
 To FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW.


 April 23, 1940.
 GERMAN PROPAGANDA UNMASKED.


 Goebbels' War in Norway.




 I. ON WORLD OPINION.


 A. THE LIE. B. THE FACTS.


German broadcast in German (April 11th):- 'New York Times' April 10th:-


 "One single voice is heard throughout "Now Germany turns her brute strength
 the world from Buenos Aires to Tokio -
 a against small, established nations which

voice which expresses admiration for the maintained their neutrality in the last
 achievements of the German forces and re- war, and to which even the most arrogant
 the this historic Nazi establish claim. Here is crime,
 cognises necessity of new can no

 deed of the
 Fuehrer, who saved the lives of stark and blood red!"
 three small nations and guaranteed that

they would continue to exist as states."


 11. ON NORWAY’S "WELCOME" TO THE GERMANS.


 A. THE LIE. B. THE Facts.


i)German Broadcast in German (April 10th):- German Broadcast in Norwegian (April 12th):-


 "Germany does not conduct "The German Command has issued warning
 a war against a


 small nations with whom she has been at to the population that persons caught'
 for hundreds of C a lm the German forces will be treated
peace years... prevails fighting
in Norway, says the communique of the German as franc-tireurs and shot. Some persons
High Command. This statement proves that the have already thus been shot. This is the

North is conscious of its rescue." only and last warning."


 or again:-

ii) German Broadcast in German and English German Broadcast in Norwegian (April 13th):-
 (April 13th):-
 "Any resistance will be broken in the
 "The wish of the Norwegians for calm and most severe and ruthless manner. Every
 order is evident from the smooth collabora- civilian met carrying arms will be shot
 tion between the Ge rman Military Command and on the
 spot. The same penalty will be
the Norwegian authorities." imposed for sabotage of means of trans-

 port or industrial and public utility
 plants, as well as for damaging vehicles and
 weapons in streets and roads.”


 or again


iii)German Broadcast in Norwegian (April 19th) Another German Broadcast also in Norwegian.
 (April 19th):-

 "Rumours have lately been spread about "There have been several complaints of

Norwegian subjects being used as chauffeurs Norwegians forced to drive German soldiers
by the Germans and being placed in the front in commandeered cars into the firing line.
 line in The is This is not the fault the
 dangerous positions. rumour not of German autho-

 correct, as Norwegian chauffeurs are not rities but of the population of Norway, who

placed in dangerous positions, although the continued to fire on the advancing German

Germans use Norwegians to drive lorries troops
 containing troops."
 111. ON GERMAN CHIVALRY TOWARDS KING HAAKON.


 A. THE LIE B. THE FACTS.


German Broadcast in German (April 13th):- King Haakon to a Swedish journalist
 (April 13th)
 "Germany keeps in touch with the King of

Norway. The German ambassador to Oslo has "Since leaving Oslo on Tuesday I have not
paid another visit to King Haakon." taken off
 my boots and have scarcely had a


 wink of sleep."


 IV. ON THE BRITISH SUCCESS AT NARVIK.


German Transocean News cable (April 18th):- Extract from the same Transocean feable;-


 "The British did not succeed in sinking a "Reports of rescued officers in this
single German destroyer in the operations of attack show that the British opened fire
April 13th." with artillery and machine-guns on members
 of German destroyers who were swimming to
 land or climing up cliffs,"
 (The italics are ours.)

 V. ON THE BOMBER AS AN EFSATZ FOR THE LOST NAVY.


German Broadcast in German (April 18th):- 'New York Times' April 17th:-


 "The American Naval Minister at a meeting Admiral Stark stated to the Naval Affairs

of the House of Representatives Commission Committee that "air
 power has not seriously
declared that the latest encounters between affected British control of the sea lanes of
 the Allied warships and theGerman bombers the world. After seven months of war in
 that the German bombers which the immediate major objective has been
clearly show are more

effective than the warships." the reduction of British sea strength,
 relatively small damage has been done by air
 attack from the German advance bases allo-
 cated 480-560 miles from the British Fleet
 bases. It is the British preponderance in
 Naval that has gained control of sea-
 power
 borne trade and denied this trade to Germany."

 VI. GOEBBELS SINKS THE BRITISH FLEET.


German Official News Agency (D.N.B.) U.S.A. Broadcast by Elmer Davis, Columbia
(April 22nd.):- Broadcasting System's commentator on the
 news given opposite.( April 22nd):-
 "The 'l2-Uhr Blatt' today publishes a list
of the British losses the "If the German the
 Norwegian coast
 on story is true, Allied fleet
within the last twelve days. This list, must he about wiped out. Yet the Allies still
which the ’l2-Uhr Blatt’ has based on private com and the sea and are able to land
 troops
calculations, includes: in Norway without opposition except from the
 German air force, so it looks as if these

 German stories contain
 large element of
 a


 4 battleships optimism, if not of plain fiction."
 2 battle cruisers

 7 aircraft carriers
 4 heavy cruisers

 10 cruisers
 12 destroyers
 13 submarines

 15 transport ships
 29 planes.


 TOTAL LOSSES: 90 Fighting Units.
AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN NO. 587. 23/4/40 - No. l.




 ENEMY AIRCRAFT OFF THAMES AND HUMBER




The Air Ministry announces:




 A number of enemy aircraft appeared off our




east and south-east coasts last night. These aircraft


were apparently engaged in attempting to lay mines in the


approaches to the Thames and Humber estuaries.


 Anti-aircraft batteries and naval units opened


fire at several points, searchlights were exposed and


Royal Air Force fighter aircraft were sent up to try to



intercept.




AIR AFFAIRS
 23/4/40 -
 No. 2.


 PRESS NOTICE



 Mercantile Losses due to Enemy Action for the 33rd week

 ending Sunday/Monday midnight 21/22nd April, 1940.



 British 3


 Allied Nil ) TOTAL =
 3

)
) Neutral Nil



 List of British Ships


17/4 "SWAIHBY" 4,935 tons


20/4 "MERSEY" 1,037 tons


20/4 "HAWNBY" 5,380 tons


 11,332 tons



 The tonnage loss for the week is about one half the average
weekly tonnage loss for the 33 weeks since commencement of
hostilities.



GERMAN SHIPS CAPTURED, SUNK, ETC.



The S/T "RHEIN" 254 tons was intercepted and captured by one of
H.M. Ships on 20/4.

The "TORGEN FRITZEN" 4463 tons reported sunk S. of Stockholm,
possibly by mine.



H.M. Submarines report having sunk the following German transport
or supply ships:-

 13/4 One Ship of about 3,000 tons

 14/4 One Ship of about 6,000 tons


 One Ship in a Convoy

 15/4 Four Ships in a Convoy


 The following German Shins which were at Narvik on 9th April
are "believed to have "been sunk:-


 "JAN WELLEM 11,776 (Oil Refinery Ship)

 "NEUENFELS" 8,096

 "AACHEN" 6,388

 "ALTONA" 5,892

 "HEIN HOYER" 5,836

 "BOCKENHEIM" 4,902

 "MARTIN HENDRIK 4,879
 FISSER"

 "KRIELINGHAUS" 4,339

 52,108


 /Assuming
 2




 Assuming the above tonnage sunk by our submarines to be
about 30,000 tons, the total German losses may be summed up as

about 450,000 tons to date, viz:-


 -114,500 tons.


 Sunk or scuttled to
 -i 3/4 230,000 tons.


Reported by H.M. Submarines

since 13/4 = 30,000 tons.


Presumed lost at Narvik =
 52,000 tons.


Sunk off Sweden possibly
mined = 4, 500 tons.


 451,000


Note. The sinking of the "RIO de JANEIRO" last week was




attributed to a British Submarine but it now this
 appears

feat should have been credited to Polish S/M "ORZEL".




Convoys : -




 Up to noon Wednesday 17th April, 17,746 British, Allied
and Neutral Vessels had been escorted in British Convoys with a

loss of 29 Ships that is a loss ratio of one in 612. During the

week no ships were lost in convoy. Of 2,830 Neutrals convoyed
to date only 3 have been lost being one in 943.




CORRECTIONS TO LAST WEEKLY REPORT.



In list of Neutral Ships the "INEZ” (Swedish) 310 tons has since


"been corrected to "INES" of 48 tons*


The "STANCLIFFE" 4511 tons (British) was sunk by U-boat on




12/4 hut information concerning this loss was not received until


Tuesday 16th after issue of last week’s list.




ADMIRALTY,
S.W.1.
 23/4/40 - No.3.




 FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE (Morning, )




 The following official communique was issued from


French G.H.Q. this Tuesday morning:-



 NOTHING TO REPORT.
 23/4/40 -
 No. 4.



 PRESS NOTICE



 It is now possible, from the preliminary reports of

 officers of H.M.S. HARDY, to give in some detail the
surviving
account of the attack on German forces in Narvik by the Second

Destroyer Flotilla on April 10th, 1940.


 On the afternoon of April 9th, 1940, the Second Destroyer
Flotilla consisting of H.M. Destroyers HARDY , HOTSPUR, HOSTILE,
HAVOCK and HUNTER were between the south-west end of the Lofoten
Islands and the mainland of Norway. The sea between the Lofoten
Islands and the Norwegian coast is called West Fiord. It is

nearly 60 miles long. Wide at the entrance it narrows to a channel
less than two miles wide. West Fiord leads into Ofot Fiord,
towards the head of which lies Narvik, with the small but deep
Rombaks Fiord beyond the harbour. From West Fiord to Ofot Fiord
ships have to pass through a channel nearly fifteen miles long and

less than two miles wide, with high land on either side. It is an

approach which is
 easy enough in daylight good visibility, with but
a
 passage not lightly to be undertaken at night in a heavy snow-
storm, with strong enemy forces in the vicinity.

 At 4 p.m. on April 9th H.M.S. HARDY, the Flotilla leader,
(Captain Warburton-Lee) approached Tranoy, a Norwegian pilot
station near the. head of West Fiord, and landed two officers to
seek information. Thus it was learnt that Narvik was strongly held
by the Germans and tnat there w r ere in Ofot Fiord at least six

German destroyers larger and more powerful than H.M.S. HARDY and

her consorts. This intelligence was communicated to the Admiralty.
The Admiralty thought an attack on Narvik by the Second Destroyer
Flotilla in face of these strong German forces so hazardous that
at 1 a.m. on April 10th Captain Warburton-Lee was told that he must
be the sole {judge of whether to attack or not, and that the

Admiralty would support him whatever happened. Captain Warburton-
Lee replied that he intended to attack at dawn high water.


 At 3 a.m. on April 10th, H.M. Destroyers HARDY, HOTSPUR,
HOSTILE, HAVOCK and HUNTER ceased their patrol in West Fiord and

proceeded into the narrow channel leading into Ofot Fiord. There

was slight East
 a wind. 'lt was misty and snowing heavily.
Visibility was so low that fog lights had to be used to enable the
ships to keep in touch with one another. H.M.S. HARDY led the
flotilla. The narrative of one of her officers states: "We never

saw either side of the fiord at all, except early, when we nearly
hit it once".


 The passage was, however, successfully accomplished, and

about 4.30 a,m, the flotilla was off Narvik* With the other
destroyers patrolling outside, H.M.S. HARDY entered Narvik harbour
alone. At first nothing but a merchant ship near the entrance
could be seen. When H.M.S. HARDY had passed the ship, however, a

mass of other shipping came into view including a large German

destroyer. H.M.S. HARDY at once turned to port and fired torpedoes,
at the same time increasing speed to 20 knots. As H.M.S. HARDY
was swinging under helm two more large German destroyers came into
view. Torpedoes were fired at them and H.M.S. HARDY opened fire
with her guns. At that moment there was a loud explosion and a

sheet of red flame from the first German destroyer, and thousands
of rounds of tracer ammunition began to go off in the air, looking
like bright stars. One of H.M.S. HARDY's torpedoes had found its
mark and one of the enemy ships had been accounted for.




 /Hotly
 2



 Hotly engaged by two German ships of superior gun-power,
and also by guns mounted ashore,and having fired her torpedoes,
H.M.S. HARDY withdrew, and the other British destroyers went in to
the attack. Their torpedoes made havoc among the German supply
ships and transports, and the German destroyers were hit by
gunfire. Then H.M.S. HARDY attacked again. She was at once


heavily engaged by the shore batteries and the heavier guns of the

two remaining German destroyers in the harbour. Again H.M.S.
HARDY withdrew, and the other British destroyers attacked in turn,
hammering at the German destroyers and batteries, which quickly
ceased fire, so that it was thought that all opposition had been
broken. This time, as H.M.S. HARDY withdrew, six torpedoes
passed close to her.


 H.M.S. HARDY led a third attack, but, as she withdrew
from this she sighted three large German destroyers steaming
towards her from the direction of Rombaks Fiord. The signal to
withdraw was at once made, and speed was increased to 30 knots.
At the same time H.M.S. HARDY opened fire on the leading German

ships. The German ships were firing at H.M.S. HARDY.


 As H.M.S. HARDY, leading the flotilla,turned down the

fiord, two more large German destroyers were sighted ahead.
Action was at once joined. H.M.S. HARDY was hit almost
immediately by the heavier shells of the German ships. (The
German destroyers of the ROEDER class mount five 5 inch guns as

against the five 4.7 inch guns of H.M.S. HARDY and the four 4.7
inch guns of the other British destroyers engaged.)

 The bridge of H.M.S. HARDY was hit and reduced to a

shambled. Captain Warburton-Lee was mortally wounded. The only
man on the bridge who was not killed or rendered unconscious was
the Captain’s Paymaster Lieutenant Stanning, and his
left foot was useless. Aft, the First Lieutenant, Lieutenant-
Commander Mansell, was keeping the remaining guns in action.


 Realising that the ship was still steaming fast and without
anybody at the helm, Paymaster Lieutenant Stanning dragged himself
to the wheelhouse. It was a shambles and there was nobody alive,
so Paymaster Lieutenant Stanning took the wheel himself and
steered the ship, looking through a shell hole.


 Soon afterwards an able seaman appeared. Paymaster
Lieutenant Stanning turned the wheel over to him and made his way
back to the bridge, where he took charge of the ship. He had no

idea of what happening aft, but he has reported that
 was he had a

vague idea of ramming the enemy, who were now abreast of H.M.S.
HARDY and firing almost point blank. At that moment, however a
shell struck H.M.S.HARDY in the engine room. Steam escaped and
the vessel at once began to lose way. Paymaster Lieutenant
Stanning then put the helm over to beach the ship in order to save
life. By the time H.M.S. HARDY grounded she was practically
stopped. One gun was still in action, and the ship was under
heavy fire at short range.


 Meanwhile H.M.S. HUNTER had been sunk and H.M.S. HOTSPUR
and H.M.S. HOSTILE had suffered The
 damage. Germans, however,
were by no means unscathed. In addition to six supply ships sunk
in Narvik harbour and the German destroyer torpedoed by H.M.S.
HARDY, three of the other German destroyers had been heavily hit
and were seriously fire. The made to
 on enemy no attempt pursue
the remaining British destroyers, and these sank the German
ammunition ship RAVENSPELD on their way down the Fiord.



 /The
 3




 The ship’s company of H.M.S. HARDY, under
the command of Lieutenant-Commander Mansell, the first
Lieutenant, were endeavouring to abandon ship under fire.
This was no easy matter, as the only remaining boat proved
unseaworthy, and there were many badly wounded. The German

destroyers, however, soon drew off.


 Captain Warburton Lee was lashed in a stretcher
and lowered into the water. He was towed ashore by
Mr. McCracken, the Gunner, and one rating, but he was dead
when they reached the shore.


 There were several wooden houses about half a

mile from the shore, and the survivors distributed them-
selves among these for warmth and shelter. The majority
went to the house of a Mrs. Christenson, where about eighty
men huddled together trying to restore their circulation,

Mrs. Christensen and her daughter distributed food and all
the clothes they had. Surgeon Lieutenant Waind, himself
wounded, did what he could for the wounded, the bearing of
whom was very courageous. Particularly was this so in the

case of Able Seaman Bailey, who, half frozen with cold and
with one hand shot off, sat for one and a half hours and

never once murmured.


 The first consideration was to get help for the
wounded. A Norwegian succeeded in getting an ambulance from

Ballanger, a small town fifteen miles away on the south side
of Ofot Fiord, which took some of the wounded. Others were

lashed on to a sledge and dragged into Ballanger 0
 For the

greater part of the way the road was nothing but a rutted

track full of holes. Ithave caused great
 must pain to the
wounded, but they bore their
 sufferings with the greatest
fortitude. Able Seaman Clark was particularly courageous.
Chief Stoker Styles, who had been very seriously wounded and
had been brought ashore by Lieutenant Commander Mansell and

Stoker Petty Officer Carey, died of his injuries and was

buried under the snow.



 On their way to Ballanger the survivors of

H.M.S. HARDY fell in with British merchant seamen from the

NORTH CORNWALL. This ship had been captured by the Germans

the day before and the crew made prisoners on board a

German supply ship in Narvik harbour, but they had been
released during the action, when the supply ship, among

others, was sunk,


 At Ballanger the British survivors made contact
with the Norwegians, re-organised, and consolidated. They
were taken off by H.M.S. IVANHOB on April 13th, after

H.M.S. WARSPITB and other British naval forces had accounted

for the whole of tho German naval forces in Narvik and

Rombaks Fiord.




ADMIRALTY.

23rd April, 1940.
 23RD APRIL, 1940. NO.5.
 M.A.F. 205.


 MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCEMENT



 GROW VEGETABLES TO STORE


 Occupiers of allotments and
 private gardens are again
reminded of the importance of growing, as far as possible,
crops that can be stored for use next winter , such as onions
and carrots. It has to be remembered that every year we
import into this country 4 1/2 million
 some cwt. of onions -




about twelve times the quantity we grow ourselves -
 and from
3 to 4 thousand cwt, of carrots. These supplies cannot be
relied upon in war-time, and the matter should receive
immediate attention. The time is already late for sowing
onions for
 storing, carrots and should be sown this month.
Choose late-keeping varieties in each'case and the flat types
of onion, which are the most suitable.
 23rd April, 1940. No. 7.




 MINISTRY OP AGRICULTURE WEEKLY NEWS SERVICE NO.33.



 Two Million Acres And The Men Who Ploughed It.



 Two million acres of additional ploughland are now a




virtual certainty. The objective may even have been reached



already. It has been an astonishing achievement on the part of


the farmers and ploughing contractors, all things considered, but,


in the hour of triumph, special thanks must be given to the farm


workers and tractor drivers.


 Without their never failing goodwill, their readiness to


work long hours, often in bitter weather and in the darkness and on




Sundays in many cases, the ploughing campaign could never have


succeeded. Representatives of all political parties paid tribute


to them when Lord Denham moved the second reading of the



Agricultural Wages Bill in the House of Lords last week. It was a




tribute fully earned..


 Lord Denham made an important point when speaking on this


Bill which, in principle, all the political parties have endorsed.


He pointed out that not only have representatives of the


Agricultural Workers’ Union often emphasised their willingness to


help in any scheme to secure the farmers a deal; they have
 square


gone farther and stood always for fair prices for the farmers.


They have pressed this policy upon the Trade Union Congress with


eventual success.



 Speaking later in the week at the annual Conference of


Rural Community Councils, Lord Denham again referred to the wages

question and said: "If our
 grow more food campaign is to be a



 must give agricultural
success, we our workers better wages."




 MEND THE MACHINERY BEFORE IT BREAKS.


 As the implement trade knows only too well, the opening of

the hay-making season usually synchronises with sudden and
 a urgent

cry for "spares". Even in peace time such demands often cannot be


met by return of In
 post. wartime, of course, the position is


much worse.
 1.
 It is therefore more necessary than ever that farmers


should really carry out the good resolutions they made last year


and look to their implements without delay. Any machine that


breaks down is a nuisance, but a broken mower or binder can be a




tragedy, and these machines need more careful inspection than



most.


 The following are some of the points to check up with


mowers* Loose, worn or broken sections of the knife bar should


obviously be replaced by new blades and the fingers tightened and


aligned. The knife bar should have a forward rake, for if it


lags back it will not cut properly. This can be adjusted at the



hinge. See that the connecting rod bearings are sound.


 Replace worn pawls in the wheels, for if they are



allowed to go too far they cause excessive wear of the teeth


inside the hub, and a new hub is expensive. See that the gear


wheels mesh properly, especially the bevel wheels. Where the


bearings are worn, the wheels can be made to mesh properly by the


judicious use of packing and washers. It pays also to clean off


the caked oil and dust with paraffin, for this often hides a



cracked casting that might break during use.




 LABOUR CLUBS FOR THE LAUD.


 Labour is the most essential factor limiting food


production and in spite of the very low age for agriculture as a



reserved occupation it is inevitable that farmers will have to


make use of a certain amount of labour less skilled than they

would wish.



 Much voluntary help was forthcoming last harvest and


was appreciated by farmers. In this respect the activities of the


Voluntary Labour Club, formed at Altrincham on 27th September last,

are worthy of public notice. Up to the end of March the Club was



responsible for 340 man-days’ work.




 2
 Members are recruited chiefly from men with indoor



occupations who visit farms at the invitation of the farmers to do


necessary work* They meet on Sundays, with bicycles and


sandwiches, in the Old Market Place, Altrincham, at 8.55 a.m.




Work generally ceases at 5 p.m.


 It is hoped to arrange work on Saturday afternoons also


in the summer. Farmers are asked to make reasonable payment,

but all money earned is given to charity after deducting expenses.


Previous agricultural experience is not necessary, but the club


has an expert honorary advisor.




 ORDER RICK COVERS NOW.


 Farmers are urged to place.their orders NOW for any


additional covers they may require for hay and corn stacks.


The usual supplies of covers
 may not be so readily obtainable


as in peace time; so, to avoid disappointment later in the



season, farmers are strongly advised to overhaul existing

covers and make immediate arrangements for replacements and


additions. Apart from water-proofed cotton and jute covers,

sisal paper, properly held down, may meet some requirements under



existing conditions; the value of old sail cloth, often



available at fishing villages, and similar second hand material


should not be overlooked.




 MAKING THE MOST OF ROOTS.



 This year is likely to see a considerable increase


in the acreage of roots. We should make the most of them, for


they will he replacing imported feeding-stuffs that money cannot


buy. To do so on a large scale liberal all round manuring is


essential•




 3
 Forty tons of mangolds per acre are not an




 exceptional crop and greater yields can he obtained by going all

 out for the maximum and cultivating a small rather than a large


acreage and doing it thoroughly well.


 Dung should have been ploughed in, 10 to 20 tons per


acre. It not only provides a continuous supply of plant food


from itself, but also liberates still more by promoting decay

of the turf. If no dung or only a light dressing has been


applied, the following mixture of artificial fertilisers is


suitable:-


 3 cwt. sulphate of ammonia
 j
 "
 3 phosphate
 j
 super per acre



 "
 2 potash salts 3% )

 With a heavy dressing of dung, half the above quantity


would suffice and in all cases rather less nitrogen for swedes


and turnips than for mangolds. Fertilisers should be harrowed


in to the seedbed before drilling. Basic Slag (4-5 cwt) can




take the place of the superphosphate but then the sulphate of


ammonia would have to be applied separately or replaced in the



mixture by nitrate of soda.


 There is another crop worth consideration by those


who can spare a bit of land -
 carrots. They are likely to


be in demand for human consumption and stock will revel in any


left They can be grown without much manure and 10 - 12
 over.



tons acre is an crop. Seed is drilled thinly,
 per

4-6 lb. in and June and thinning is usually
 w




 per acre May no




dispensed with. Incidentally, late sowing and no singling


are safeguards against carrot fly.




 CREDIT FOR FERTILISERS.




 Farmers are reminded that the nitrogenous fertilisers,


 that apply to crops not
which it is so important they corn




 4
later than the middle of May, come under the Agricultural


Requisites assistance Scheme, and so in suitable cases they may


be obtained on credit through the County War Agricultural Committees,


Payment for fertilisers acquired under this scheme would be expected

 at a reasonable time after the resulting corn crops have been


harvested and sold.




 REMEMBER THE HORSE.


 Horse versus tractor is a favourite argument for


 agricultural debating societies. But on the farm horse and tractor



 are more often allies.


 While the demands of the ploughing-out campaign have

necessitated the immediate use of more tractors, simultaneously


 there has been an increased demand for the horse. Nor is this


 demand confined to the farm; military requirements and that of



 general hauliers and distributors of goods must also be satisfied.


It is desirable, therefore, to mate as many suitable mares as are




 available.


 In many parts of the country Horse Breeding Societies,

 the subscriptions to which are more or less nominal, serve the



 demands of farmers by hiring suitable sires; Masters of Foxhounds


 and Hunts also play a valuable part by putting sires at the


disposal of farmers in their county.


 Although at the moment the provision of grants by the



Ministry of Agriculture to approved societies has been suspended, all



 stallions travelled for service, whether of light or heavy breeds,

 are still licensed by the Ministry.


 Duty On Farm Tractors To Be Removed.


 Che import duty on track-laying tractors will shortly be



 lifted. The President of the Board of Trade announced in the House


of Commons yesterday, 23rd April that arrangements are about to be


made to enable track-laying tractors for agricultural use to be



 imported free of customs duty, subject to certain conditions.



 5 0
 TO NOT BOILING SWILL -
 £lO.



 Farmers are reminded of the necessity of boiling


swill before feeding it to pigs. Not only is this in their



own interest, as a safeguard against the transmission of


disease, but it is the law. A farmer was recently fined



£lO and costs in a local court for feeding unboiled swill to



his pigs.




 6.
 23/4/40 -
 No. 9.




 MR. KENNETH LINDSAY on "THE PROBLEMS OF YOUTH”




 Mr. Kenneth Lindsay, Parliamentary Secretary to the

Board of Education, and Chairman of the National Youth Committee,
this morning addressed a conference of the Industrial Welfare
Society on "Problems of Youth”. The Chairman was the Rev.
Robert Hyde.


 Mr. Lindsay said that there wore 3 9 000,000 young British
citizens in industry and commerce between the ages of 14 and 20.
Less than 50,000 attended any part-time day education, and these

were mainly in engineering, printing, building and allied trades.
For hundreds of thousands of young people work was mechanised
and monotonous and of no educational value. Shorter hours and

better welfare conditions had generally been attained. But much
more was wanted.



 The National Youth Committee was appointed by the
Government to tackle this problem. In five months some 200

Local Youth Committees had been formed. It was their task to

bring together all the agencies and forces working for the

welfare of youth.

 It was idle to think that training or education could
be dove-tailed into the actual work as far as thousands of young
people were concerned. They needed above everything else
correctives; they needed physical recreation and games, creative
and imaginative outlets, contact with the elemental forces of
nature, some community life and also the chance to be alone. In
addition they were growing citizens.


 Any movement for youth in this country must re-create a

love for the soil, the tongue and the traditions of our land:
it must, therefore, be firmly rooted in local genius and
patriotism. Young people must feel that they belong: this means
that we must take youth more seriously. We must make far more

social provision for them and also make much greater demands on

their service.


 It is painfully true that thousands of young people can

grow up, without any real knowledge of our own history aid with
no faith in Christian civilization. This is not the fault of
the schools, it is the result of devitalised leadership, city
life and cheap, soft amusement. We might well borrow something
from the training of a
 young sailor or airman and incorporate
it in the social for all
 training our youth. Every democratic
country in the world would rejoice to know that this had happened.




BOARD OF EDUCATION,
AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN NO. 588 23/4/40. -
 No. 10.




 R. A. F. BOMB NORWEGIAN AERODROMES.




 The Air Ministry announces:




 R. A. F. aircraft carried out further


 attacks on enemy air bases in Norway and Denmark


 during last (Monday) night.

 Aerodromes at Kjeller and Fornebu near



 Oslo were bombed.


 Incendiary bombs were seen to start a



 large fire at Fornebu.


 Aalborg was also further attacked.


 The German claims that four British

 aircraft were shot down during last night*s

 operations are false one British aircraft


 only has failed to return.




 AIR AFFAIRS
 For Information.




 GALLIPOLI AND ANZAC DAY, APRIL 25TH, 1940.



 List of times allocated for official representatives
 to attend at the Cenotaph April, for the purpose of
 on 25th
 laying wreaths.




1. 10.10 a.m. Hon. W.J. Jordan, High Commissioner for New
 Zealand on behalf of the New Zealand Forces.


2. 10.20 a.m. Field Marshal Lord Birdwood? G.C.B. G.C.5.1.?
 ?


 >.C.M.G. G.0.V.0. C.I.L. ? D.C.L. LL.D. on
 ? ? ? ?

 behalf of the Indian Army.


3. 10.30 a.m. Rt.Hon. S.M. Bruce? P.C.? C.H.? M.C.? High
 Commissioner for Australia on behalf of the
 Australian Forces.


4* 10.40 a.m. General Sir lan S.M. Hamilton? G. G.B. ?
 G-. C.M.G.
 ?

 D. 5.0.? T.D.? on behalf of the British Lmpire
 Service League.

5* 10.50 a.m. General A. Lelong, C.V.0., French Military
 Attache on behalf of the French Army and Navy
 of the Corps Lxpeditionnaire d’Orient.


6. 11 a.m. The Officer representing the Merchant Navy.


7* 11.10 a.m. The Officer representing the Boyal Navy.

8* 11.20 a.m. General Sir Beauvoir de Lisle? K.C.B. IC# C.M.G.,
 ?

 D. 5.0.? on behalf of the 29th Division*


9. Time to be General Sir 'palter P. Braithwaite, G.C.B. ?


 notified on behalf of the Army Council and the British
 later. Army.




THE WAR OFFICE.
LONDON. S.W.1.
23rd April 1940.
 23/4/40 - No. 12.



 PRESS NOTICE




 The Depot for Knitted Garments for the Royal Navy

is moving to larger premises, at 97 Eaton Square, S*W. 1.


 Will those helpers who have parcels ready to post

to the Depot please retain them until after Monday next,

April 29th. will avoid confusion while the offices


are "being moved to the new address.




ADMIRALTY,
WHITEHALL,
S. W.
 23/4/40 -
 No.l3.



 BUDGET SPEECH
 By SIR JOHN SIMON, CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
 in the HOUSE OF COMMONS, April 23rd, 1940.




 The following summary of points in the Chancellor's Speech
is placed at the disposal of the Press by the Press Bureau: -




 Sir John Simon said: -




 Seven months ago in the abnormal conditions which existed
at that time, it could not be expected that figures of expenditure
could be very precisely foretold.


 As regards expenditure, all I could do was to add to the

total of expenditure already approved a round sum of £500,000,000
vote of credit.


 I warned the Committee that it was uncertain whether this

first vote of credit would be sufficient to cover all our new

expenditure to the end of the year.


 This first vote of credit has been underspent by
£91,500,000.

 This was a saving under various heads in last year's
expenditure amounting as a whole to £116,500,000.

 THE REVENUE ESTIMATE OF £995,000,000 ODD HAD BEEN EXCEEDED
IN FACT BY £54,000,000 - OVER £1,000,000 A WEEK.



 THIS BAS A MOST HEARTENING RESULT.


 The estimate of last September both for Income and Surtax,
had been fulfilled practically precisely.

 I know from many letters I have received this subject
 on

that these direct tax-payers have made a very special effort to
comply with the request for payment.

 An invalid tax-payer, living in the in the days
 North, snowy
of January sent his tax - in this case it amounted to some £l3 -




by the hand of his wife, in the rough weather, on foot, to the
office of the collector in a town several miles away. He wrote
to the next day in state of distress he had
 me a some as found,
in spite of his efforts to pay, the lady arrived after the office
was closed.


 £390,000,000 HAD BEEN PRODUCED BY INCOME-TAX IN A SINGLE YEAR,


 THIS WAS THE LARGEST AMOUNT THAT INCOME-TAX HAS EVER YIELDED
IN A SINGLE YEAR.


 In the first of the last War the total
 year was £59,000,000.
 2




 Last year’s Surtax produced £69,750,000; Surtax in 1914-15
produced £10,000,000.

 Customs and Excise produced £400,000,000 -
 £27,500,000 more

than the estimate.


 The surplus was chiefly due to exceptionally large yields
from articles on which duty was increased in the last budget.

 Tobacco had produced £9,700,000 more Revenue, spirits
£1,700,000 more. Sugar £4,600,000 more. Beer £750,000 more.

 When a year ago I ventured to increase the licenoe on the
motor oar horse-power, there were many who prophesied that I
should suffer.


 In my war budget, I put down as my estimated yield from the
horse-power tax £22,000,000. In fact it has produced £34,000,000.

 On private motor cars the receipts for the first three months
of this year were over £10,500,000.

 The net receipts from the Post Office had shorn a drop.

 WE HAVE SPENT IN THE YEAR £1,817,000,000.
 WE HAVE POUND OUT OP REVENUE £1,049,000,000
 AND WE HAVE BORROWED THE REST £768,000,000

 The national debt had increased to £8,931,000,000.

 £122,000,000 was received last year for the new Savings
Certificates and Defence Bonds,


 Amounts received from Certificates and Defence Bonds
exceeded the amount to be repaid by £109,000,000.


 Of the loan of £350,000,000, £245,000,000 was converted in
the Two Per Gent Conversion Loan and £105,000,000 is to be repaid
in cash.


 I enter this new financial year with all its difficulties
with the prospect of nearly £100,000,000 as the joint result of
the issue of the previous Loan and the dealing with the 4 1/2 Pen Cent
Loan.




 WAR COST TO DATE.


 IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THE WAR EXPENDITURE FOR WAR
PURPOSES WAS £905,000,000.

 At that pace, something over £1,500,000,000 would be
proportionate for twelve months.


 I estimate that, by March 31 next expenditure for
 year, war

purposes only, would be £2,000,000,000.
 3


 Apart from the Service Departments, the Ministry
of Supply and the Ministry of Shipping, there is no reason,
even in war time why a fairly complete analysis of expenditure
of other Departments should not be given.

 It is a very noteworthy fact that we were able to raise
our war loan at the rate of three per cent. lam assuming
that in future loans we shall not exceed the levels already
established.


 The figure to be provided for expenditure in the present
year is £2,667,000,000.

 The people of this country, facing the demand which
this Budget is bound to make, will be
 ready, for the sake
of victory, to accept its burdens provided they are satisfied
that every effort is being made to reduce waste.



 Huge as this sum is, which I have to provide, it would
have been substantially greater had it not been for the
strenuous and largely successful efforts in different Departments
to keep expenditure down.


 I have to ask myself what contribution towards this
total of £2,667,000,000 can be provided by the continuance
of existing taxation at the present level.

 Also how much should be contributed by additional
imposts, which I find it my duty to propose.

 IF THE STANDARD RATE OF INCOME TAX REMAINED AT LAST
YEAR’S FIGURE HE ESTIMATED THAT IT WOULD YIELD IN THE CURRENT
YEAR £408,000,000.

 The yield of stamp duties I put at £19,000,000.

 Prom National Defence contribution and Excess Profits
Tax I estimate a total yield of £70,000,000.

 Other Revenue duties are expected to produce £1,000,000.

 The total Inland Revenue I therefore estimate
£658,000,000.

 On .the present basis of taxation, on Customs and Excise,
I estimate £420,000,000.

 Prom motor vehicle duties I estimate a revenue of
£35,000,000,


 In view of war conditions we must postpone the General
Revaluation of properties for assessment under Schedule A.


 The rates at present charged by the Post Office should
be made to bear some increase as a contribution to war

expenditure.

 I shall propose legislation to assist the Export Trade
by improving the under which drawback is payable
on exported goods.
 4



 A second proposal will relate to the margin of
preference on Empire sugar.

 The object of the legislation will be to make it clear
that the present Preference will continue until the end of August
1942.


 The concession, under which members of H.M. Forces home
on leave are exempt from motor licence on their own cars or motor

cycles for a short period, on payment of a fee of 10/- for a car

and 2/- for a motor cycle, has already been put in force.


 If, after the war, there emerged a minority of
individuals to whom the war had brought nothing but colossal
fortunes that would be a situation which Parliament could not

pass by without effective and appropriate action.


 This is essentially a post-war project and it is the
Governments intention to deal with this matter when the time
comes.



 I consider it necessary, by means of additional taxation,
to increase the Revenue.


 I must look therefore both to direct and indirect
taxation.


 I PROPOSE TO RAISE THE STANDARD RATE OF INCOME TAX FROM
7/- TO 7/6.

 These changes in income tax would mean a very substantial
contribution throughout the scale from one end to the other.


 It was the heaviest burden of direct taxation that tax

payers had ever been called upon to bear.


 The standard rate of tax would have been raised within

a single year from 5/- to 7/0.

 When Surtax was added, the maximum rate would run up to

17/- in the £.


 Nothing on this scale had even been approached before
whether in war or peace.


 These changes in income tax will increase the yield in
a full year by £61,750,000.

 I PROPOSE TO PROVIDE IN THE FINANCE BILL THAT SURTAX FOR
THE YEAR 1940-41, THE RATES FOR WHICH WILL NOT BE LAID DOWN UNTIL
1941, CAN BE CHARGED ON INCOMES IN EXCESS OF £1,500.

 He proposed to add to the existing duties on beer, spirits,
tobacco, and matches.


 In the case of beer the increase would be roughly
equivalent to a penny a pint,


 New duty would take effect from tomorrow.


 He proposed also to increase the duties on spirits hy
15/- per proof gallon.

 This would increase the price of a bottle of whisky by
1s. 9d.
 5



 Tobacco would be increased by 4/ -
 as from tomorrow.


 HE ESTIMATED A YIELD IN A PULL YEAR OP £70,000,000 PROM

THE INCREASE IN THE SPIRIT DUTIES AND £23,000,000 AS A RESULT
OF THE INCREASE IN TOBACCO.


 The letter rate would be increased by Id. to 2-g-d.

 I must call the Post Office to my aid. I propose to
increase certain initial Post Office charges which will leave
the excess rate untouched.



 The postcard rate would be increased from Id. to 2d.


 I propose to make a change in the poundage on Postal Orders.


 Inland telephone service will he increased by fifteen per cent.


 These increases will yield £10,400,000 and £11,400,000 in

a full year,


 Boxes of matches will he increased by yd, and booklets
of twenty, sold at yd , will he replaced by booklets of thirty,
sold at Id.



 The charge for inland telegraph services would be increased
by 3d. The additional charges would operate as soon as possible.


 I do not propose to increase the overseas telegraph and

telephone charges.

 The increase in Post Office charges, taken together, were
estimated to yield £12,500,000 this year and about £14,500,000
in a full year.




 NEW FORM OF TAX




 I also propose a new form of tax which will bring in
sub stantial additional revenue,



 I propose to call it the Purchase Tax.


 The new tax would he a percentage on the price which would
he made at the stage when the wholesaler is selling to the
retailer.


 There will be no purchase tax on food or drink or

foodstuffs whether for human or animal consumption.
 y




 A register will be created which will include producers and
manufacturers.


 The registered seller would charge the Tax to the buyer and
would be accountable for the Tax.


 The date and percentage rate of the Purchase Tax would not
be decided now.




 The Tax would put no sort of obstacle in the way of export
trade.


 The very large sums of money which had to be found to meet
the expenses of war necessitate a widening of taxation.
 6




 This form of tax, if boldly applied,is capable of producing
a larger additional sum towards our revenue than appears to me to be

likely to be drawn from any other individual tax.


 The estimated total contribution from revenue is

£1,234,000,000.

 The question was -
 could the very large gap of £1,133,000,000
be bridged by borrowing on existing lines or were there other means?
 9



 The National Savings Campaign has had a remarkable success.


Already,in the first twenty-one weeks of the movement, a sum of no

less than £131,149,599 has been invested in Savings Certificates and
Defence Bonds*


 In some quarters there has been hesitation in making full
use of opportunities for small saving,

 The ground for this was that if an individual lost his employ-
ment and applied for Unemployment Assistance his war savings might
be taken into account in determining the amount of assistance to which
he would be entitled.


 I am so concerned to encourage War Savings that I am prepared
to see the existing rules governing the application of the Means Test
modified so as to remove these objections altogether.

 The statement I have just made is in line with the advice I

have received from both sides on the National Advisory Council.

 I propose to provide for the limitation of dividends paid
by public Companies during the war period.

 A Bill would propose that public companies should not
distribute a greater dividend on ordinary shares than was distributed
in one of the three pre-war years.


 In order to make this plan watertight, I propose to prohibit
the issue of bonus shares during the War.


 This total of £1,234,000,000 which I am seeking to get from
revenue this year is a larger figure drawn from taxation than has
ever been raised in twelve months in the history of the British
Nation.



 Our financial front will hold as firmly as every other front
in the fight for Victory.




 END
 23/4/40. - No. 14.




 NAVAL CANADIANS.



 OFFICERS IN TRAINING.




 Somewhere on the South Coast a party of young


officers of the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve


is undergoing training with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve.


 They are members of the R.C.N.V.R., and as such



their pay and allowances are being paid by Canada. They are




eager to take their part in the present conflict, and will


remain with the Royal Navy until the war is over, after which


they will return to their duties in the Dominion.


 Further batches of young men from Canada are following

for similar training.

 Those now in training are drawn from various walks


of life in many parts of Canada, and their offer of service,

which was accepted with alacrity by the Admiralty, reflects


the comprehensiveness of Canada’s response to the call for


volunteers - a
 response that has already produced impressive

totals in air and military personnel.

 The training of Canadian naval officers with the Royal


Navy does not introduce any new principle. All Canada’s


permanent naval officer personnel has undergone training in


the Royal Navy as a matter of course ever since the early days

of the Dominion’s Navy. Not only so, but many of the officers


return periodically to this country for "refresher" courses.,

while each year a considerable number of Canadian naval


ratings is sent to this country for general instruction and


sea service, if necessary, to gain practical experience -




a striking evidence of the close collaboration between


Dominion and British Services,


 The first selection of the young men now undergoing


training with the R.N.V.R. was made from many applications by
the Canadian Department of Rational Defence, which has been

responsible also for selecting those who will shortly arrive.


DOMINIONS & EMPIRE AFFAIRS
 The War Office,


 London, S.W.1.



 23rd April, 1940.


 The following is the latest list of German Prisoners


 of War:-


 Prisoners of War.




Rank Christian Surname Where from Age
 Name

Ober
 Leutnant Harold Vogel Offenbach on Main 30



 Enemy Dead
 Place and Date of
 Burial.



Ofel Ernst Rost Wick Public Cemetery,
 South Road, Wick,
 11.4.40.

 Secton 0. No.480.


Ofel Kurt Geerdts Wick Public Cemetery,
 South Road, Wick.
 11.4.40.
 Section 0. No.479
 23/4/40 -
 No. 16.



 COMMUNIQUE.




 The 8th Meeting of the Supreme War Council was held in Paris
on April 22nd and 23rd.

 Great Britain was represented By Mr. Chamberlain, Lord

Halifax, Mr. Winston Churchill and Sir Samuel Hoare, who were

accompanied By Sir Ronald Campbell, Sir Alexander Cadogan, Sir

Cyril Newall, Sir Dudley Pound and Sir Edmund Ironside.


 France was represented By M. Paul Reynaud, M. Edouard
Daladier, M. Campinchi, M. Laurent-Eynac., who were accompanied
By M. Leger, M. Baudouin, General Gamelin. Admiral Parian,
General Vuillemin, M* Corbin and General Koeltz.


 Poland was represented by General Sikorski and M. Zaleski.


 Norway was represented by M. Bachke, the Norwegian Minister
in Paris.



 There was a general exchange of views at the meeting on

all the political and military problems requiring the close
attention of the Allied Governments at the present time in order
to ensure the due and timely fulfilment of the undertakings of
the Allies and the common defence of their interests against
any hostile action. After having considered all questions
relating to the general conduct of the war the Council reached
new decisions designed to guarantee the effective co-operation
in all circumstances of the Allies.


 The Polish President of the Council assured the Supreme
War Council of the determination with which the Polish Government,
Army and people would continue to struggle with all their
resources, which are at this moment in process of active
reorganisation and development. The Council expressed great
appreciation of the spirit inspiring these efforts and welcomed
the effective contribution that Poland is making to the common

cause.



 The French President of the Council,the British Prime
Minister and the Polish President of the Council invited the
Norwegian Minister to
 express to his Government their admiration
for the heroic resistance which was Being offered to the invader
By the people of Norway under the inspiring leadership of their
Sovereign, King Haakon VII. The Norwegian Minister conveyed
the thanks of his Government for the speed and effectiveness
of the help given to his country By the Allied Governments.




10 DOWNING ST,
 23/4/40 -
 No. 17


 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN ANY COUNTRY BEFORE THE MORNING
 NEWSPAPERS OF WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1940, OR BROADCAST
 BEFORE 7 a.m. ON THAT DATE.




 CANADIANS IN NORWAY




 Reports have appeared in the Press that Canadian units


are fighting in Norway.

 It is authoritatively stated that these reports are




incorrect, although there may he individual Canadians


serving in the B.E.F. in Norway.




SOURCE NOT TO BE QUOTED




Military Affairs Section,
Press and Censorship Bureau.
AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN NO. 589 23/4/40 -
 No. 18




 MORE ATTACKS ON NAZI AIR BASES


 (Not to be quoted as an Air Ministry Announcement)



 The Royal Air Force made its first raid on German Air Bases
 near Oslo last (Monday) night, when aircraft of the Royal Air
 Force Bomber Command attacked Fornebu and Kjeller Aerodromes,
 on the outskirts of the Norwegian capital* While these raids were
 in progress, another force of bomber aircraft was carrying out an

 attack on the Danish aerodrome at Aalborg, which was heavily
 bombed for a third night in succession.


 The attacks on Fornebu and Kjeller were made in the early
 hours of this morning. The Fornebu air base, a recently completed
 civil aerodrome to the west of the city, was covered with snow.



 High explosive and incendiary bombs wore dropped on both
 aerodromes, and a large fire was left blazing opposite the Hangar
 buildings at Fornebu.


 The Aalborg raiders met with the most severe opposition yet
 encountered from the
 ground defences at this aerodrome* The gun
 batteries had obviously been reinforced since the previous
 raid, and opened intense f ire, concentrated over the target area, as
 each aircraft came in to launch its attack. One of our aircraft
 was hit by a small calibre shell which struck between the
 fuselage and one engine nagelle, but was able to complete its attack
 and return safely*


 Despite the intense opposition, ail attacks were pressed home
 and a large number of heavy bombs were seen to burst on the
 aerodrome surface and runways* One of our aircraft has failed
 to return from the night's operations.



 AIR AFFAIRS.
 23/4/40 - No 19




The War Office issues the following communique:-



 Operations in Norway are proceeding in co-operation

with the Norwegian Forces.

 in the South our troops, in conjunctionwith the


Norwegians, are resisting the enemy pressure.


 North of Trondheim our troops have "been counter-


attacked and a sharp engagement has ensued*




WAR OFFICE

WHITEHALL.
S.W.1.
 23/4/40 -

 No.20.



 THE SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY ANNOUNCES THE FOLLOWING RESULTS OF THE


 PASSING-OUT EXAMINATION OF CADETS FROM THE ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE,


 DARTMOUTH.


 MARCH, 1940.


 RESULTS.


 CLASS PRIZE TIME

 GAINED.
Kane, J. 1. (King's Medal

 Roxburgh
 (French (Alpha)
 (English (Alpha)


Deane, C.E.N. 1 (Science (Alpha)
 (Engineering (Open)

Pooley, J.D. 1



Buller, R.F. 1



Scrymgeour-Wedderburn,I.A. 1
 (History (Alpha)
 (Scripture

Coulson-Davis, P.F.C. 1 Mathematics (Alpha) Four

 months


Houston, D.A. 1


Duff-Still, P. 1 German



Burdett, A.J.D'A. 1



Acworth, P.C.G. 1


DIVISION II.


Greenlees, R.C.C. 1
 (History (Div.II.)
 (English (Div.II.)
 (Seamanship (bracketed with

 Cadet Oram)

Page, P.H. 1


Foster, L.R.R. 1



Davies, J.M.P. 1
 (Mathematics (Div,Il) 1
 (Science (Div.il)


Forrest, R.S. II



Evans, M.D. II



Cox, D.N.A. II



Edwards, P.B. II



Kennedy, R. II


Prescott, J.R, II Navigation (Open) Two
 Months

Benson, M.G.W. II French (Div.II.)

Holloway, D,R. II
 -2-




 GLASS PRIZE TIME GAINED




Johnson, A.G. II


Learmond, P.A. II



Lawrence, P.R. II



Wilson, P.S. II


Keith-Wright, J. A. II Two
 Months.
Lane, J.R. II




Mocatta, J.M. III



Helps, T.D.P. III


Milburn, F.M.H. III



Howard, H.E. III


Oram, J.S.K. III Seamanship (bracketed
 with Cadet Greenlees)

Woodhouse, R.W. III



Gunliffe-Owen , D.H. III



Beevor, J.M.P. III Nil.


Li111edale,A.J. III


Cardew,J.B. III


Greenwood,A.H. III


Cowlin, J.R.J. III



Carey, D P
 H. III



Holloway, A.G.W. III
 - No. 21
 23.4.40


 SPEECH BY MR. A. DUFF COOPED,
 THE FOLLOWING NOTES OF A
 D.S.O., M.P., AT THE LUNCHEON OF THE LOYAL SOCIETY
 OF ST. GEORGE, IN LONDON, TODAY (TUESDAY, 23RD APRIL) IS
 PLACED AT THE DISPOSAL OF THE PRESS BY THE PRESS BUREAU.



 Hr, Duff Cooper said that the crimes of Germany in
 not crimes of a small band of criminals.
Europe were only the

 the crimes of whole people and a whole
 "These are a


nation" he added.


 saying that
 Hr. Duff Cooper commenced his speech by
 the wilderness
Mr. Churchill’s voice had been that of one crying in

until the time of trouble struck England.

 He continued reference to our young soldiers,sailors
 by a


and airmen.


 going out to fight today',
 he
 "When I sec the young men
 out
said, "I am reminded of young men twenty-five years ago going
 in different mood.
to battle but I think they are going now a




 "The character remains the same but the mood is changed.


 life have seen one
 "For the second time in one they

country drive the whole world into war.


 of
 "Their mood is of bitter rage, of grim defiance, and
unalterable determination. One slogan springs to the lips.
 to the whole world
’Never again shall one nation be allowed plunge
into war ’.


 "Never again shall the whole of Europe tremble before

the frowns and menaces of a single man. Never again shall one


people be allowed to build up great armaments - a people who have

given so many proofs that they are not to be trusted with their
use.



 "Not even the wildest and most fantastic mendacity can

lay a particle of blame for this war upon the shoulders of England
or France.


 "The whole guilt is on the shoulders of Germany.

 "They had hardly ceased to protest their guiltlessness of
the last war when they rendered themselves guilty of another.


 "They objected to the war guilt clause in the Treaty of
Versailles. How much heavier will the indictment be when the next
Peace Treaty comes to be written.'


 "The spectacle of Europe today is alone sufficient to

give some measure of the weight of that indictment.


 " We see the whole of Europe trembling under the terror
of the Swastika* Throughout the lands that have been conquered,
throughout the lands that are still neutral, there steals the

stealthy horror of the Gestapo and from every country where the
German has entered, there arises to heaven the cries of torture
 "
from the concentration camps.




 /Mr. Duff Cooper
 2




 Mr. Duff Cooper mentioned the small countries which
suffered during the last war, and the small countries which have
suffered in this war, and when he spoke of Finland’s magnificent
resistance there were prolonged cheers.


 Of these small countries he said:-


 "They are now learning to their bitter cost what German
 domination means. But Norway (whose representative I am

 proud to be sitting by) -
 now not the least gallant of our

 Allies -
 is fighting side by side with us at this very hour
 to maintain her freedom against the menace that besets her.


 "Now these series of crimes, which have made a horror of

 Europe, are not the crimes of one
 man; nor are they the crimes
 of a small band of criminals. These are the crimes of a

 whole people -
 a whole people and a whole nation.


 "On the last occasion when we defeated the Germans in the
 field they came grovelling and whining to us afterwards, and

 protested that the fault was not theirs but that of the
 Princes who had fled before the storm.



 "It may well be that when once again they are defeated

 they will come with the same talesay and it was only a small
 number of unrepresentative politicians who committed these,
 crimes.

 ”I hope we shall not be deceived again.

 "Hitler claims that the German people are behind him. I

 am prepared to take him at his word and to remember it.


 ”It is dangerous thinking to believe we can drive a wedge
 in between the German Government and the German people.


 “When the German people begin to realise they are being
 defeated they may resist and turn against their government.

 "But that day will not be brought nearer by soft words or


 specious promises.


 ”No, we have got to defeat them in battle. It is going
 to be a formidable, a fearful task.


 ”How long it may take to accomplish no man can say but

 victory is certain in the end”.


 We started the war (continued Mr. Duff Cooper) with a

command of the sea and no nation with a command of the sea had ever

been defeated in a great war. That was eight months ago, and now

our command was even more assured. We could get our raw materials.


 Mr. Duff Cooper added

 "Most important of all, we have our own stout hearts and
 our own strong arms. Once more St. George is mounted on his

 charger, and his adversary, his quarry, is the most vile he
 has ever gone out to destroy -
 never has the face of Germany
 assumed so venomous or vile a shape as under the Leadership of
 this little gang of blood-stained, money-making murderers”.

 We had (concluded Mr. Duff Cooper) recognised St. George
in the city and the countryside, and at the present moment he was
going out to tattle on sea, on land, in the air, and deep under the
oceans; and he would either return with the laurels of victory on
his brow or he would sleep well in duty well done with "England"
graven on his heart.
 23/4/40 - No 23




 MR. LEWIS CASSON TO ASSIST NEW COUNCIL




 The first meeting of the Council for the Encouragement
of Music and the Arts (C.E.M.A.) was held to-day at the
offices of the Board of Education.


 Mr. H. Ramsbotham, President of the Board welcomed both
the new Council which, in addition to those originally
announced, now included Sir Kenneth Clark, and the panel of

expert advisers to the Council;-
 Mr, Lewis Casson, Honorary
Adviser in the field of professional drama; Dr, George Dyson
and Dr. Reginald Jacques, Music; Mr. du Garde Peach,Amateur drama;
and Mr. W.E.Williams, Art.


 Lord Macmillan, the Chairman the policy of the
Council and emphasised the
 emergency nature of the work as a
war time and expressed the belief that in these dark
 measure,
days and the darker days to come we should find strength through
the enjoyment and practice of the arts. He also expressed the
gratitude of the Council to the Government for its generosity in

making the grant.




BOARD OF EDUCATION.
 The War Office,


 London, S.W.1.


 23rd April, 1940.



 MILITARY APPOINTMENT.



 The War Office announces that His Majesty The


 King has been pleased to approve of the appointment of


 Lieutenant-General Sir Ronald Charles, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.,

 retired pay, Colonel Commandant, Royal Engineers, as Chief



 Royal Engineer of the Corps of Royal Engineers, with effect


 from the 23rd April, 1940, in succession to General Sir


 Bindon Blood, G.C.B., G.C.V.0., retired pay, who has


 resigned the appointment.



NOTE:- The creation of the Office of Chief Royal Engineer

 in October, 1936, restored to the Royal Engineers an old


 military appointment, originally styled "Chief Engineer of


 the Kingdom”, which had existed from the Restoration down


 to its abolition in 1802.


 The holder of the appointment is titular head of


 the Corps, and thus speaks with authority on questions of


 regimental importance as does the Master Gunner, St. James's


 Park, in the case of the Royal Artillery. General Sir


 Bindon Blood has been associated with the Corps of Royal


 Engineers since 1860. He is the senior Colonel Commandant


 of the Corps.
 23/4/40 - No.25




 FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE (Evening)




Paris, Tuesday, April 23, 1940.




 The following official communique was issued this


evening from French General Headquarters




 Fairly Crisis: activity of the artillery on



both sides between the Moselle and the Blies. Enemy


patrols have been repulsed to the west of the Vosges.


Exchange of rifle fire along the banks of the Rhine.
Air Ministry Bulletin No.590. 23/4/40 - No.27.




 AIR ACTIVITY NEAR VERDUN.




 Headquarters British Air Forces in France announces



 Today British and German fighter patrols fought


an indecisive action in the neighbourhood of Verdun. One


Messerschmitt 110 is believed to have been shot down. One


of our aircraft was set on fire by enemy action. The


pilot escaped by parachute.




AIR AFFAIRS.
 23/4/40 -
 No.28.


 Not to be broadcast before 7 a.m. April 24th.



 DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE VISITS NEWFOUNDLAND LOGGERS.



 Pit Props as Valuable as Rifles.




 Many of the 2145 Newfoundland brought over to
 loggers
cut pit props in Scottish forests have
 expressed the desire to

enlist in the Army when their contracts come to an end, but so

vital to the country is their present work that the Government
are endeavouring to persuade them to change their minds.


 There is at present a serious shortage of pit wood in
this country, owing to the reduction of supplies from Scandinavia
and the Baltic and shipping difficulties in the way of bringing
timber from Canada and Newfoundland. The work of these loggers
is essential to the development of home resources as skilled
labour in this country is scarce.



 The Duke of Devonshire, Parliamentary Under Secretary of
State for the Dominions, returned to-day from a three day tour
of the Newfoundland Forestry Unit in Scotland, during which he
explained to the loggers how vitally important was their work
to the Empire War effort.


 In each camp he visited the Duke thanked the loggers
personally for the magnificent and prompt way in which they had
come to the aid of the Government,


 He pointed out how supplies of pit wood, so essential to

maintain the coal output, had fallen off owing to the war and
how Great Britain had to fall back on her own resources.



 He said that while they were all perfectly free to join up
or go back to Newfoundland according to the terms of their
contract, yet he hoped they would all stay on.



 "In war time it is up to each man to do the work for which
he is best fitted" the Duke pointed out. There we re plenty of

men for the army, but they -
 and only they -
 could do this vital
work which was of the greatest value to the nation at a time
when timber was sorely needed for war purposes and labour dif-
ficult to obtain.


 There could be no more serious blow to the Empire war effort
than if British coal mines had to work on short time owing to

shortage of timber. The Duke said it depended to a large extent
on them if this danger was to be averted.


 The Duke spent much time chatting personally to the loggers
and inspected their quarters. He complimented them on their
excellent relations with the local people,

 The loggers came over in five batches, the first of which
sailed on December 11th. The men are quartered in some twenty
or thirty operating camps, mostly in Scotland* The officer in

charge of the unit is Captain Turner, known to every woodsman
in Newfoundland and to whose work the Duke of Devonshire paid
special tribute.




DOMINION & COLONIAL AFFAIRS.