Evening star., 1940-12-19
Text of Churchill Report
Risks Must Be Run if Britain Is to Win,
Prime Minister Tells Commons
- the Associated Press.

- the Associated Press.
LONDON, Dec. 19.-The tert OF
Prime Minister ChurchiNs report
to the House OF Commons today
tollo1os::
I should like to put frankly
difficulty feel about frequent state
.ments.
As Prime Minister and Minister OF
Defense, there is danger that II
one gives full and frank and frequent
statements, revealing ones own
point of view or that of the govern
.ment or of those charged with stra-
tegic and practical decisions, the en-
emy may gain an advantage.
Certainly, it would be very con-
.venient if Herr Hitler or the i'm
portant chiefs in Germany were to
give us every fortnight or so an
'honest to God" statement-if they
are capable of it.
We. should Immediately set a
dozen active intelligence officers to
study not only what was said, but
what was not said, and to read be-
tween the lines, and collate any stray
words which, with the other in
formation, might afford a clue.
Therefore, I hope the House will
be lndulgent to me If I choose the
occasions somewhat rarely, and in
the event of their desiring informa-
ton which I did not feel was con-
Venient, they would allow me to
impart it to them in secret session.
More than 10000 Prisoners
Taken in Libyan Fighting.
At the opening of the session,
speaking on the reply to the King S
speech, said we wanted deeds, not
words. think we have not wholly
failed to make that good.
The battle of the Libyan desert is
still proceeding. I have no later
news than that contained in the
public press at the moment.
We are attacking the fort and
town of Bardia with strong and in
creasing forces.
The situation there is not such
that can make any decided state
ment, but will go so far as to say
that l have every reason to be-
heve that it is developing favorably.
This memorable battle spread over
a vast extent of desert, these swiftly
moving mechanical columns, cir
cling in and out of the mass of
the enemy, and posts of the enemy,
means that fighting is taking place
over an area as large as Yorkshire.
1t is not possible to give all the de-
tails at present.
am sure the figure of 10000
prisoners is, even up to the present
moment, a considerable understate-
ment.
A hundred serviceable guns and
so tanks, together with great guam
titles of invaluable stores. have al
ready been gathered by our troops.
Italians Have Not Shown
High Fighting Spirit.
Fighting at Sidi Omar day before
yesterday resulted in another 800
prisoners, a battery of artillery be-
ing captured, and on the same day,
there in the Jarabub Oasis of the
silva Oasis and very important on
the desert flank, an Australian cav
airy squadron charged, sword in
hand, and gathered both guns and
transport as its trophy.
One cannot say Italians have
shown high fighting spirit or quality
in this battle
At other periods of Italian his
tory they have shown great courage
and I am not going to frame a
charge of lack of military quality
against the people with whom, up to
this time, and God knows we never
sought it, we have had no quarrel,
but only sympathy.
But perhaps their hearts are not
IN their work Perhaps they have
been so long disciplined and ruled
and relieved of all share of the gov
ernment of their own country that
they have not felt those virile emo
tions, which are the foundation of
the actions of brave armies, and
which are best furnished by dis
cipline imposed on freedom.
Whole Division Lays Down
Arms to Inferior Force.
We have seen at least one whole
division laying down its arms intact
to far inferior force Our force has
been contending at odds of three,
four or five to one and contending
with continued success.
Up to the night of the 10Th the
latest return I have, the British
Army, very considerably army, who
moved rapidly in the desert fighting
continuously for the whole week,
lost less than 1000 killed and wound
ed of all ranks, British, Indian and
1mperials There have no doubt been
other losses.
We must regard this event as
highly satisfactory and its reactions
In other directions will be favorable
and should permit us to take bolder
views than those open to us before.
This is a case where risks have
been we'll run. The risk in desert