Evening star., 1941-05-07
Churchill Wins Commons Vote,
447-3, Disclosing That 100000
Troops Now Stand in Near East
U. S. Aid Inadequate,
Lloyd George Says
In Sharp Attack
By the Associated Press.

House of Commons gave Prime
Minister Churchill an over
Whelming vote of confidence to-
day after he had disclosed that
nearly 100000 imperial soldiers
stand guard against the Axis
In the Near East and that Brit
ain expects enough new Ameri-
can merchant ships to see her
through 1912 in the battle of the
Atlantic.
The Prime Minister proclaimed,
too, a halt to the British retreat
IN the Mediterranean basin with
the fiat declaration:
1--WE intend to defend to the death
and without thought of retirement
Crete and Tobruk'
1t is on Crete, big island to the
south of the Greek mainland, that
the British and Greeks are making
their final stand as allies; it is in
Tobruk, Libya, 80 miles from the
Egyptian border, that British gar
rison is holding out behind the Axis
advanced lines.
Lloyd George Aroused.
Mr.. Churchill won his 447-to-3
vote of confidence despite a strident
charge from David Lloyd George,
World War premier that America
has 60 to do more" if she is to
enable Britain to beat Germany.
The white-maned elder statesman,
IN his most outspoken utterance in
many months. warned the govern
ment against eXaggerating the speed
or amount of United States aid and
declared American war organization
traditionally is full of disappoint-
ments" for the British.
He demanded real war cabinet"
and AN end to the kind of blunders
which have discredited and weak
ened us"
However Mr.. Lloyd George cried:
II thank Cod for Secretary of War
Stimson's speech of last night. and
said it was clear that President
Roosevelt, by his changed attitude,
and Mr.. Stinlson both realized the
gravity of Britain's position.
Prime Minister Cheered.
Nevertheless, Mr.. Lloyd George
was not among the trio who voted
mo" on the confidence test. They
were Communist William Gallagher,
Socialist Denis Pritt and DR.. Arthur
Salter, a Laborite.
AS the Prime Minister made his
way out of the crowded chamber
after the vote, groups of members
collected around him and cheered
him enthusiastically. He paused and
bowed.
Beginning his speech in a breezy
manner, he gradually moved into
more solemn tones. Never did he
make violent gesture and not once
did he raise his voice to a shout.
Mr.. Churchill, restive under Mr..
Lloyd Georges hour-long tongue
lashing, declared that Britain can
count on enough new American mer-
chant ships to help her through 1912
In the battle of the Atlantic
Vote Ends Two-day Debate.
The vote ended a critical tWo-day
debate on Britain's grave reverses on
both shores of the Mediterranean.
Confidently, Mr.. Churchill de-
clared, I'VE have every reason to
believe we shall be successful" in
holding the Valley of the Nile, Suez
and the Mediterranean island
bastion of Malta.
After the hour of lashing by Mr.
Lloyd George, Mr.. Churchill retorted
that the speech was not particular
ly helpful at this period and not the
speech one would have expected
from great war leader"
Mr.. Churchill said he has re-
ceived assurances of the construc-
tion of mechant ships by the United
States which, added to our own
large program of new building and
repair, should see us through 1912"
After Mr.. Lloyd George criticized
Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden
for withholding the fact that Tur-
key allowed German ships to pass
through the Bosphorus into the
Dardanelles" to seize Greek islands,
Mr.. Churchill said Turkey not be-
ing a belligerent had no right to
prevent merchant vessels from 60
ing through the Dardanelles."
Long Warned of Balkan Attack.
The Prime Minister added that
turkey had no right whatever to
stop German troops from going
through the Dardanelles. To do so
would be to quit their neutrality" +"
so far as German invasion of
the Balkans is concerned Mr..
Churchill told the House, I'VE had
long and ample forewarning of
what was in prospect. 1t is three
months since it was stated publicly
on the broadcast that the Bulgarian
airfields were being occupied with
the knowledge of the Bulgarian
government by advance parties and
agents of the German air force"
In defense of British diplomacy,
MIR. Churchill declared it has never
ceased for one moment to apprise
countries of their danger and of
perils that were coming on them
and to urge that by common action
alone could security and safety be
attained"
Would Follow Same Path.
Looking back, Mr.. Churchill de-
clared that "if we had again to
tread that stony path, even with the
knowledge we possess today, for
one would do the same thing again.
That is the view of all my COL
leagues in the war cabinet and on
the Defense Committee and I be-
lieve that view is almost universally
sustained by the House" he said.
There was an outburst of cheers.
Once more Mr.. Churchill rejected
the idea OF smaller war cabinet,
asserting that the existing Set-up
works easily and effectively" and
Il do not propose TO make any
changes in it until further advised"
70 suggestion that he be sur
rounded "by people who would stand
up to me and say no, no. no." Mr.
Churchill answered that 'the diff
(see CHURCHILL, Page A-4)