Evening star., 1939-09-04

Chdm0efLdtn on rage ALL
BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, Sept. 4-Britain's
mighty feet took up battle stations
today, to enforce q blockade of
Germany as in the last war, while
the guns of her French ally were
roaring on the western front.
As the reformed British cabinet
hurriedly adopted far-reaching war
measures and a high war command
was appointed, the French were
reported to have begun an offensive
to relieve German pressure en- Po-
land
British Admiralty orders for con-
troll of contraband and searches
of ships indicated Britain's block
ade of Germany was put into force
quickly following the declaration OF
Prime Minister Chamberlain yes
terday that q state of war existed
between Britain and Germany.
Ultimatums Expire.
The state of war began at IL a m.
Is am. e. 8. TD, when a British
ultimatum to Germany to call her
armies out of Poland expired with
out an answer from Berlin. Seven
hours later a similar French ulti-
matum to Germany expired.
Thus, Britain and France were
ri in
this time in fulfillment of their
pledges to help Poland defend her
independence.
Plans, carefully made against the
fateful day that Mr.. Chamberlain
said could be no longer avoided,
were rushed into force. A high
command was named.
The King approved appointment
of Lord Gort as commander in chief
of the British field forces, Maj. Gen.
Sir Edmund Ironside as chief of the
imperial defense staff and Sir Walter
Kirke as commander in chief of the
home forces.
The Prime Minister installed
war cabinet.
Anthony Eden Reinstated.
He reinstated Anthony Eden, max
ing him dominions secretary, but
giving him special access to the
inner councils, and made Winston
Churchill first lord of the admiralty,
the post he held in the World War.
The admiralty leaped to the pro-
lection of British merchantmen on
the high seas.
War restrictions, to protect life,
conserve precious supplies and main
tain order and morale, were put
into immediate effect.
Colonial and dominion circles ex-
pected swift pledges of loyalty and
scattered Empire.
Canada already has placed her
armed forces on an active service
footing. New Zealand has announced
she will support Britain in war. From
elsewhere also have come promises
Of support.
Press and Leaders United.
There was no sign among leaders
or in the press of dissent from the
message King George vi gave the
people and Prime Minister Chamber
lain gave the empire and Parliament
yesterday.
War quickly struck home to Brit
ain. Twice within the first 18 hours
after the Prime Minister'S historic
proclamation, the wall of air raid
alarm sirens sent BritonS Scurrying
to shelter.
But they proved false alarms both
times, and "all clear" signals sounded
without signs of dreaded enemy war
planes.
The first alarm came hardly be-
fore Mr.. Chamberlain had finished
speaking the words from the cabinet
room of 10 Downing Street that told
the British Empire This country is
at war with Germany"
Men with flags, whistles and steel
helmets-Britain's diligently re-
hearsed air raid precaution wardens
--sprang into the streets. Pedestrians
fed for shelter.
"All Clear" Soon Sounded.
Seventeen minutes later at 1892
am. long clear note of the sirens
ended the suspense, and the air min
istry later explained an unidentified
airplane off the south coast had
proved friendly"
In the early hours of this morn
Ing large area of Englnd expe-
rienced the terror of an air alarm
in the darkness of blacked-out
country at war.
The first warnings screamed at
2:28 am. (8:28 pm, E. s. T., Sum-
day., and the danger signal was not
lifted until almost two hours later,
at 4:12 am. Q0:12 pm, E. s. T)
The ministry of information said
the alarms were sounded over Lon
don and parts of the midland and
northeastern counties. Cause of the
alarm was unexplained. mo details
are yet available" the ministry said.
Luxuries Restricted.
To save exchange for war pur-
poses, a ban was placed on the inn
portation of several commodities
classified as luxuries.
The list, announced by the Board
of Trade, included pottery, glass,
cutlery, clocks, watches, textile
goods. apparel, shoes. certain chem
icals. paints, soaps, typewriters, auto
mobiles perfumes, musical instru-
ments, toilet articles, toys, games
and luxury foodstuffs.
The public was to be informed to-
day how to obtain ration books for
gasoline, rationing of which will be-
come effective September 16. The
government advised owners of pri-
vate motor vehicles to use them for
essential purposes only.
Also to become effective today
were restrictions designed to con-
serve Britain's financial resources.
hAv 4