The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1939-09-07
Great Britain and France De-
clare War When Hitler
Rejects Ultimatum.

LONDON, Sept. 3.-Great Bri-
tain and France went to war
against Germany Sunday, Sept.
8.
Prime Minister Chamberlain's
announcement of the momentous
decision was followed quickly by
a series of fast-moving acts to
place the nation on wartime
basis.
The announcement came Is
minutes after the expiration of
an II a. m. Is a. m. E, S. To- ul-
tmatum to the nazi government
to withdraw from invaded Po-
land.
France joined her old ally just
five minutes after her own 5
p. M, EST deadline passed with
out a reply from Hitler.
In a weary voice that some
times faltered, Chamberlain an
nounced Britain's decision in a
broadcast to the empire. He was
followed by King George, who
broadcast an appeal to his sub
jects to stand fast in the hour of
conflict.
Prime Minister Chamberlain
Immediately formed a new war
time government which took in
former Foreign Secretary Antho-
ny Eden as dominions secretary
and which included Winston
Churchill as first lord of the ad-
miralty.
Another communique said Bri-
tain had commissioned armed
merchant ships as auxiliary cru
isers and has provided conveys
for her merchant shipping
around the world.
The royal navy is fully mo-
bilized and at its war stations in
full strength, supplemented by
number of fully-commissioned
armed merchant ships as auXil-
larry cruisers" the communique
said.
War restrictions designed to
conserve Great Britain's finan-
cial resources will be put into eff
feet tomorrow. A ban was plac-
ed on importation of a number of
commodities which were termed
Iuxuries, in order to conserve eX-
change for war purposes.
Colonial and dominion circles
said they expected virtually all
parts of the widespread empire
to give full cooperation to the
mother country.
1t was to this empire that King
George broadcast his appeal.
I'VE have been forced into a
conflict" said the slended, youth
full appearing monarch. eve are
called with our allies to meet
the challenge of principle,
which if it were to prevail, would
be fatal to any civilized order in
the world"
The monarch was alone in a
room at Buckingham palace as he
spoke Queen Elizabeth listened
from another room.
The kings voice was low and
vibrant.
British freedom, he said, de-
pended upon the defeat of the
principles advocated by Germa-
ny.
Far more than this, the peo-
Piles of the world would be kept
in the bondage of fear and all
hopes of settled peace and of the
security of justice and liberty
among nations would be ended.
Such a principle stripped of
all Disguise" he said, lis that
might makes right.
Ultimate Issue.
This is the ultimate issue that
confronts us ..
1T is unthinkable that we
should refuse to meet the chal-
lenge. 1t is to this high purpose
that l now call my people at
home and my people across the
seas who will make our cause
their own.
Il ask them to stand calm and
firm and united in this time of
trial The task will be hard.
There may be dark days ahead
and war can no longer be confin-
ed to the battlefield.
But we can only do the right
)as we see the right.
The king added Britain could
but reverently commit our cause
to God"
In a weary voice that some
times dropped to bare, tired
murmur, the 70-year-old prime
minister told the nation:
''This morning the British am
bassador in Berlin handed the
German government final note