Evening star., 1942-01-27

any government there come occa-
sions which must be clarified.
No one who has read the news
papers of the last few weeks about
our affairs at home and abroad can
doubt that such an occasion Is at
hand.
Since my return to this country
I have come to the conclusion that
must ask to be sustained by vote
Of confidence from the House of
Commons.
1t has been suggested that we
should have three days debate at
this time, during which the govern
ment would be belabored by some of
those who have not such heavy
burdens to carry, but that we should
separate without a division.
In this case there are sections of
the press which are hostile and there
are some whose hostility is pro-
nounced, who would declare the
governments credit broken and it
might even be limited that 1t has
been privately intimated to me that
I should be very reckless If I asked
for vote of confidence. -
The matter does not stop there.
These reports can then 5e flashed
all over the world and they would
be repeated by enemy broadcasts
night after night in order to show
that the Prime Minister has no right
to speak for the nation and that the
government OF Britain is about to
collapse.
II member dislikes the govern
ment very much and feels that it
Is In the public interest that it
should be broken up he ought to
nave the manhood to testify to his
opinion. Nobody need be mealy-
mouthed in this debate.
Hess Thought He Could
Overthrow Churchill Regime.
This Parliament, which at present
Is the most powerful representative
assembly in the world, must also
and will also bear IN mind the
effect produced abroad by all its
proceedings.
We have also to remember how
very oddly foreigners view our coun-
try and its way of doing things.
When Rudolf Hess new over here
some months ago he firmly believed +.
he had only to gain access to certain
circles in this country for what he
described as the Churchill clique to
be thrown out of power and for a
government to be set up with which
Hitler might negotiate a magnani-
nous peace.
The only Importance attaching to
the opinions of Hess is the fact
that he was fresh from the atmos-
phere of Hitler's table.
But can assure the House that
since have been back in this coun-
try I have had anxious inquiries
from q dozen countries and reports
on enemy propaganda in a score Of
countries, all turning on the point
OF whether his majestys govern
ment is to be dismissed from power
or not. 49,
am sure the House would wish
to make its position clear.
Therefore, stand by the ancient
constitutional and parliamentary
doctrine of free debate and faithful
voting. ""'
Gives His Account
OF Progress Of War. =" ~
Now I turn to the account of the
war. which constitutes the claim I
make for the support and confidence
of the House.
Three or four months ago we had
to cope with the following situa-
ton:
The German invaders were ad-
vancing, blasting their way through
Russia. The Russians were resist
ing with the utmost heroism, but no
one could tell what would happen
whether Leningrad, Moscow or Ros-
tov would fall, or where the German
winter line would be established.
No one can tell now where it will |
be established, but now the boot is |
on the other leg. !
The government thought and
Parliament, upon reflection, agreed !
that the best aid we could give
Russia was in supplies of many
kinds-raw materials, munitions and
particularly tanks and aircraft.
Our forces at home and abroad
had long been waiting thirstily for
these weapons. At last they were |
coming to hand in large numbers.
At home we have always the
danger OF invasion to consider and
prepare against.
Nevertheless we sent Premier
Stalin-I gather that is how he
wishes to be addressed and that
is the form in which he favors me-
exactly what he asked for.
A whole lot was promised and
sent. There is, I am sorry to say,
a small lapse due to bad weather.
But 1t will be made up by the early
days Of February.
Defends Aid Sent to Reds,
Wishes 1t Had Been More.
This was a decision of major
strategy and policy, and any one
can see that it was right to put
1t first when they watched the
wonderful achievements of the Rus
sian Army.
Our munitions were, of course.
only a contribution to the Russian
victory. But they were an en-
couragement in Russias darkest
hour.
Moreover, If we had not shown
this loyal effort to help our ally-al-
belt at heavy sacrifice to ourselves
I do not think our relations with
Premier Stain and his great coun-
try would have been so good as they
now are.
Nor would our comradeship have
been as close, and there might we'll |
have spread reproaches on all sides. |
Far from regretting what we did
for Russia, I only wish it was in
our power-it was MOTTO have done
more.
Three or four months ago, at the
time when the German advance was
rolling onward, we were particularly
concerned with the forcing of the
Don River.
With the capture of Rostov and