Evening star., 1941-06-11
Churchill Seen Forced
To Show That He Has
Learned Crete Lesson
British Newspapers Voice
Support in Wake of
Parliament Debate
BY HELEN KIRKPATRICK,
Foreisn Correspondent OF The Star and
Chicago Daily News.

LONDON, June livery ma
tional newspaper today reiterates
Britain's countrywide support of
Winston Churchill, although all
seem to regard yesterdays parlia-
mentary debate, in which the Prime
Minister reported on the battle of
Crete amid verbal barrage from
his critics, as an inadequate DISPOSE
tion of critical situation.
Two main impressions emerge:
l. Mr.. Churchills government
must show Immediately to the ma
ton that it has learned the lesson
of Crete. This means that it must
strengthen its ranks, perhaps by the
retirement OF some ministers. per-
haps by the addition of stronger
men. from the empire.
2. Mr.. Churchills year of honey
moon is over. One more evacuation
or withdrawal of Britains forces
may have most serious consequences
for his regime.
Today's newspapers indicate con-
fldence throughout the country, as
was exhibited in Parliament, in the
person of Mr Churchill. but strikes
at fundamentals as regards govern
ment in general and conduct of the
war.
Lack Of Equipment Blamed.
Crete was lost-as were Greece,
France, Norway-for lack of equip
ment, says the London Times which
adds:
1T is not the fault of this govern
ment that the enemy gained so
great start over us. What the
people want to know is whether the
present team, under its universally
accepted leaders, is working up the
country up to the maximum output
Of which it is capable"
Yesterdays debate. thinks the
Times, should have strengthened the
Prime Ministers hand to clear out
all distractions to progress
London's Daily Herald, opposition
newspaper, writes:
The country is proud of its gov
ernment. 1t stands solidly behind
that government. But it believes,
and II has evidence for the belief,
that grave defects exist in some of
the departments under the govern
ment. and in the organiza ton of
industries whose contribution to the
war is of vital moment"
The liberal London ws-Chroni-
assurance that the government is
swiftly learning the lessons of the
latest campaign and is revising its
strategical and tactical conception
accordingly.
Majority Uneonvinced.
The Daily Mail says the debate will
not satisfy the country that de-
flciencies in the various departments
are being corrected.
Criticism in Parliament sprang
largely from uneasiness lest the
British Isles could be taken from the
air. as Crete was. Mr. Churchill gave
a satisfactory although not brilliant
review of the Near East situation,
but failed to convince the ma 1ority
that the government is profiting as
much as it should from theJessons
of Crete.
The whole tone of the debate, in
which many searching and pertinent
questions were asked. was highly
critical of the conduct of the war,
but there was not at any time visible
any dissatisfaction with the Prime
Minister. Mr.. Churchill appeared to
misinterpret the spirit of Parlia-
ment and seemed to take the criti-
cism as being personal. His speech,
although full of facts and a salts
factory explanation of Crete's loss
lacked the usual fire and brilliance.
1t was definitely on the defensive.
Mr.. Churchill interpreted the de-
sire for the debate as basic criti-
cism of his government and deplored
the constant demand for an ex-
PLANTATION of episodes" There was
a slightly petulant note in his re-
marks that If government in
time of war gives the impression
that 1t cannot, in the long run,
procure victory, who cares for its
explanations? 1t ought to go, that
is, if you are sure you can find
another that can do it better"
Crete Held Not an Episode"
Parliament did not feel that Crete
was just an episode Mr.. Church.
i'll himself had said that Crete would
be defended to the death. while the