The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-12-19


 
 think thta when we meet again after Christmas it would be appro- priate that we should review the field, not only in one theater, but widely"
 It was believed Churchill'S de- cision to delay his statement was based primarily on the extreme f1uidity of the western front and the failure to achieve peace in the Greek civil war.
 Replying to Laborite Arthur Greenwood'S assertion that the Greek situation was developing and deteriorating," he said:
 T do not think the situation is deteriorating. I think it has greatly improved"
 Another Laborite asked whether King George of Greece was frus- trating or impeding the establish ment of 8 Greek regency, but Churchill declined to reply on grounds that he was not making a formal statement.
 Churchill refused 8 LaboriteS' re- quests for full-dress debate on the Greek situation before the Christ mas recess, but said the subject could be discussed on an adjourn ment motion Thursday.
 Laborite Aneurin Bevan charged that the country was divided badly over the situation in Greece.
 T do not intend to discuss the Greek issue at the moment" Chur- chill reiterated. So far as the opinion of the country is con- cerned, of course anybody can al- ways say what the opinion of the country is."
 Churchill agreed, however, that the 279-30 vote of confidence giv- en him December 8 after a debate on the Greek situation might not fully have represented the opinion of the House, whose total member ship is 615.
 Communist William Gallagher interpoSed 8 suggestion that ths shooting be halted in Greece and 8 debate arranged in Athens.
 I'm afraid you cannot alway! stop shooting by saying you would like to stop it." Churchill replied
 When another member questioned the news blackout on the progress of the German coutner- offensive on the western front, Churchill said the matter was one for Su- preme Commander Gen. Dwight D Eisenhower to settle on the spot and of course we support him."
 Churchill will make a statement in Commons tomorrow on the Him. tied question of the welfare of Bri- tish troops in the Indian anc southeast Asia theaterS. Lord Mun- Ster recently returned from an in- Spection tour of the area and sub- mitted report to the government
 Laborite members also subjected Churchill to a baraage of biting questions regarding the disarming of Belgian resistance forces mov- ing toward Brussels last month by British troops.
 Bevan accused Churchill oi speaking irreSponSibly earlier this month in calling the movement oi two truckloads of Belgian resist ance forces and attempted military coup d'etat.
 Churchill said the thought his characterization of the Belgian in- cident as "an organized putsch' was thoroughly justified. Members called upon Bevan to withdraw his statement.
 T certainly don't ask MT. Bevan to withdraw Churchill said. Tn suits from him are compliments. ] repeat that supreme American authorities and British authorities on the spot were extremely anxious regarding the position of Brussels for the four or five days surround ing these events.
 T have not tried to deceive the house. Why should try to de- ceive the House? I Shouolo cer- tainly not think MT. Bevan worth trying to deceive"
 Gallagher wanted to know why if an organized putsch existed, the leaders were not arrested.
 T suppose they took greats care to conceal their identity" Churchill replied.
 The speaker intervened att his point and ended the question period