London, May 14.
A Belgian High Command communique, broadcast by the Brussels radio, states that "there have been numerous local engagements at different points in our positions. Our troops are resisting energetically the pressure of the enemy's forces. During the night advance elements of our troops were compelled to retire."
German planes made an unsuccessful attack against ships of the Netherlands Royal Navy in Dutch waters off northern Holland yesterday morning, according to a Dutch High Command communique broadcast today. Of four German planes which flew over Den Helder (naval base). the communique claims that three were shot down, Later, it adds, two more German machines were brought down. On the evening of May 13, it is stated, German artillery was active for one hour, preparing an attempt to take the dam separating Yssel lake from the North Sea. The attack was beaten. off.
The "Times," taking a similar line, writes: "The House had only one duty to perform and Mr. Churchill's brief speech calling it to that duty was in every way worthy of a war leader in difficult, anxious times.
"Just as Garibaldi in the darkest hour offered his followers "hunger, thirst, forced marches, battles and death, and found men willing to suffer these things in order that tyranny should perish, so Mr. Churchill offered the nation lood, toil and tears until the same high purpose is achieved, "He, too, will inspire the whole nation to sustain and support him in the struggle. The new Government accepted office at the very moment the real struggle has begun. A battle on the scale now engaged in cannot be expected to pursue from first to last a course earning Government applause.
"It is not applause they or the men in the thick of battle want, It is unwavering, unfaltering endurance in good times and bad in the face of national and personal afflictions, "AIL indications suggest that Hitler intends to prosecute the campaign regardless of cost with the object of bringing the war to an end by the coming autumn. The grabbling of Denmark, the attempt to grab Hol land represent gambles on rapid success very similar to the initiation of unrestricted submarine warfare in the last war.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.