"She then reported an unknown number of enemy ships to the north. These incidents came to us one by tone at intervals of a fow minutes, but the last message ended abruptly" and, we can only conclude that the Glow. worm hasbeen sunk by—greatly superior forces of the enemy. which she encountered, but there is reason why a large proportion of her crow could not have been saved if the ordinary humanity of fighting men-which is a different thing from. the humanity of the German Government—has been practised by the: enemy.
Was a very animated House which assembled. in anticipation of Mr, Churchill's statement, Some carly questions were inaudible "owing to. conversation, which clearly indicated that, as on' all big vvecasions, the House' was impatient 10 get forthe real business of the day.
'Mr, Churchill, who was Toudiy cheered, said he' was sure he would receive the Indulgence of the House it by any chance there should be ome minor error in fact or details ju the statement he was going make.
"The strain and unnatural calm of the Inst, fow weeks," Mr. Churchill began, "ware violently broken on Monday morning by the German invasion of Norway and Denmark. 'This crime had, of course, been long and elaborately prepared, and it' was: actually set in motion in the last week im March, "For several! months, received information that lark bers of German merchant shins are being fitted as. transports and. 1 numerous small vessels "are being assembled in Baltic ports and at the mouth of the Elbe, But no one could fell when they would be used or iqainst what peaceful country" they would be used.
"Denmark, Norway and Sweden all seemed liable {0 a stidden brutal and, any "ease, unprovoked attack: Which of them would be selected as the first victim, and when the first Neutrals Lack Security:
"Even those neutrals who have done most to placate Germany, and have been the greatest aid to" her, could not feel any security that they Would not be attacked without reason without warning and swiftly over Fun and vedueed {0 bondage and pillage all their property, especially eatables (laughter).
"Pear was, therefore. general in these "unfortunate countries, and one of them could til, nor could fans" of ws tell, which of them would be'the next to be devoured.
"inthe small hours of Monday morning we learned that Norway and Denmark had dawn. the untueky number in this sinister lottery.
had special reasons for apr sion, not only because she was nearest and weakest of Germany' Wut because she had reaty with Germany (aug! ter)
guaranteeing her from a She was engaged in active commerce both with Germany and Great Britain, the continuance of which in time of war had been foreseen by Germany" and" was guaranteed special trade arrangements between the German and Danish Governments. This obviously placed her in a position of peculiar danger "The extraordinary configuration of the Norwegian western coast pro-rider or covered way through which neutral trade and German ships of all. kinds—warships and others—could move. to and. fro through the Allied blockade within the territorial waters of Norway and Sweden until they were an effective protection for the German air forces north Germany.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.