The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 6

6' THE MANCHESTER GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1945 IN THE DOCK COMPANY MEETING YORKSHIRE DYEING AND PROOFING. HITLER PLANNED THE WAR IN 1938 Seizure of Low Countries to Protect Ruhr Order to "Eliminate English Homeland 'v ances which had been given ureviouslv. enough. The first, and possibly the decisive, military defeat which the enemy sustained was in the camDaisn aeainst GtSring and Hess turn back to back during a recess in the trial at Nuremberg. tt" eVtm-raero -rrm "bar rectified in the near future, it is doubt- iui wr.einer tne output nom me zitiu can keep the finishing section fully apo efficiently occupied, unless some legislation is introduced to remove superfluous plant.

v.a otTAfiva iva tHinV that any redundancy scheme must have statutory backing, because it must incorporate ftnaniia tVl CpVlPrYlC Lvuiifiuaut.v 1 At the same time, the compulsion should not apply to the sale of works, tms remaining at the option of the pro prietors. Any such scheme, ot course, would have to provide many safeguards in the interests the community, labour, and employers. ju wuum, i necessary to make provision for possipie extensions and improvements wu would provide better working conditions and enable us to ueeo uD-io-uate new developments, and it may not be in the general interest to permit a greater share of the trade to go in the direction of the large combines. It may also be desirable to keep some of the closed works intact to allow for an immediate expansion to cope with any unforeseen increased output from the spinning and manufacturing sections, or for any unexpected national demand. a nnkTm n.ViiVi.

th worKine Party might consider, arises from tne recent practice in mis iraae ui isisuik the wages of the unskilled worker-almost to the level of the skilled operative. The effect of this requires reviewing, because it kills rather man losiers me mteuuvB to take responsibility, and this of course reacts on both production per man-hour and efficiency. Deconcentration. The" Question of deconcentration must not be confused with redundancy. Con centration of industry took place as a war measure, and at the time 11 was introduced a pledge was made that the termination of the war.

opportunities would be given for all concentrated firms to reopen. That pledge must be Kept, and we consider the time has now i chnnU tin imtilpmPTited: aillVl-U t'-l. otherwise labour may not be available lor sucn nrms wnen it. is neeaea. Costing.

It seems likely, too, that prices will be subject to cost investigation, and this may not be a bad thing if a correct and expeditious system of costing is adopted, and if the ratio of profit to capital employed in the business is adequate. We hardly think it is equitable to fix the same ratio of profit throughout all industries, because so much depends on the status and earlier prosperity of each particular industry. In the case of our industry, which was so depressed prior to the war, firms were compelled to employ the very minimum of capital to the detriment of its services and development, and there appears to be some solid grounds for varying the. profit standard imposed. One ot the major uncertainties with which we are faced is the supply of labour over the next few years and the fact that the raising of the school-leaving age and the possible introduction of compulsory military service, will leave gaps which it will be hard to fill.

We are, of course, not opposed to these developments, but it would be unwise to assume they will not have an important bearing on our future position, especially when we bear in mind that there are plans being made for developing new industries in Lancashire. Last, but not least, we have to refer to the drag on enterprise created by the present level of- taxation, which inevitably leads to a curtailment of endeavour in all shades of society, and a substantial amelioration in its incidence is essential to the future well-being of the country. Present and past results can only be achieved by the combined efforts of staff and operatives, and here I would like to pay tribute to the work of everyone concerned with the Company and which is responsible not only for its present prosperity but also for the intangible item of goodwill which I think we can fairly claim to have built up by the high standard of our work. In particular I would like to mention the work oj your managing director. Mr.

Crossley, whose untiring energy in the affairs of the Company and wise counsel in its numerous trade relationships and associations have been, and will be, of inestimable value to the Company. The report was unanimously adopted. TRADE IN RAW COTTON The Distribution Scheme The need for greater production in the cotton industry and for the removal of any shackles that stifle enterprise was stressed by Mr. George Holden. president of the Manchester Cotton Association at the fifty-first annual meeting ot the members in Manchester yesterday.

As shortage of labour remained the outstanding handicap to full production, he said, it was imperative that demobilisation should be speeded up. There were still more than a hundred mills idle. During the year, he continued, the directors of the association had been concerned mainly with the merchanting of raw cotton. A new futures contract, a prerequisite to the resumption of normal trading, had been drawn up by the Liverpool and Cotton Associations in collaboration with the Federation of Master Cotton Spinners' Associations, and their case for it was placed before the President of the Board of Trade on November 7. Sir Stafford Cripps undertook that it would be carefully considered and indicated that the Government might arrive at its decision by the new year.

In this matter the three organisations had the support of all the foreign cotton associations, and he was pleased to say that the proposed new Liverpool futures contract provided that the cotton lying in approved Manchester and Salford warehouses fhould be tenderable. A year ago. Mr. Holden added, when they were informed that the Government had renewed the raw cotton distribution scheme, but on less favourable commission terms, it was predicted that the income would jnot be adequate to meet the expenses. This had proved correct with the result thai merchants had had to make up the deficiency out of their own capital.

Ssince then the Government had renewed the scheme and had agreed to a small increase m.the rate of commission, and it was hoped that with additional mills starting up there would not be a region of the recent experience. Mr. Holden was re-elected president: Messrs. John Lindley and Leslie Koberts vice-presidents: and Messrs. J.

M. Cook DesCTayes T. H. Hill. H.

Neud jrmith and A. c. Swindells directors. AMERICAN STOCKS tinned toe lorwSd. ral.waya and manv other t.n tailed by Corwress.

CcStnUeoeBU lre iSSeHoIT'JSriS' that the rise tothewijbest tevelscateSSfw viES" TtUable" correction. Bidding revived toward the oi toe utexnooieale. tMeSST? 510 isStSi defined, and 200 remained raetangedf 415 rxhip of the Stock Exchange was sold for 186.000. a decrease of S4.OO0 Iromthe evoi Stock-seat prices are VurrenUv oS22i 972.000 bid and 190.000 aiked tanui at The Lockheed ASrcrs.lt Co ma ration declared u. usual duarterli dividend of 50c.

and SeCetanese wllo Anleric 3tcl'reJ an unchsnM.dfrfienc! Tne Dow 3ones averages were: For 20 representative railway Issues 64.79 (sgst. 64.41 the Drev dSvi- fli tadunrials iq3.06 eStViiSl! EXCHANGE RATES To-dav: Pm Urttrlon 4-027, 4'03l2 5oBa 3i2 Montreal on London 4-43 4-45 fix Sew Yorkon Montreal 90-875 90-375 FLEETWOOD F1BH. local bulm landed 13,000 stone ludta? stonT ritfalce Satisfactory Progress. SIR JOSEPH NAPIER'S ADDRESS. The twenty-fourth ordinary general meeting of the Yorkshire Dyeing and Proofing Company, was held yester day at Middleton, Lancashire.

After dealing with the accounts and the directors' recommendation of a repetition of the previous year's dividend at 10 per cent the Chairman, Sir J. W. L. Napier. then said Since we last met hostilities in both Europe and the Far East have terminated and there has been a change of Government.

Our. shareholders very naturally will like to know what probable effect these momentous events may have on the affairs of the Company. Unfortunately the new situation has created so many imponderable factors, and to-day there exists such a state of uncertainty, that I am sure you will appreciate that for this year, at least, it is unwise to attempt to make anv reliable forecast on future tendencies and probabilities. Handicap of Controls. Some passing reference, however, may be made with advantage to a few dominating aspects of the general and domestic situation.

Controls, it appears, are to continue for some time to come, and our views on them have not changed since last year. The necessity for some limited control whilst shortages and bottle-necks exist, is oDvious, but it also brines in its wake disadvantages and delays which impede efficiency and development. There has been no shortening of the time-lag between increased costs of production and the authorised adjustment of prices on Utility Cloths, and we view with some trepidation this continued sluggishness, for costs of production are still rising and there has been no compensating price (adjustment since May, 1943. to meet present circumstances. In our view this is one of the most serious aspects of the present system of controls.

Though it is appreciated that the unwinding of the war machine is bound to take time, it can be said that an some ways conditions appear worse than they were during the war. So far little labour has been deflected in our direc tion, and the supplv of cloth in general, and of shirting and light-weight cloths in particular, is less now than at any time in the history of the Company. Some diminution of output, of course. must be expected during the change over, but the essence of the problem is that if efforts are not made to accelerate the transition from war to peace-time production, we may lose a number of export markets which will never he regained. Working Party.

You will be aware that the President of the Board of Trade has formed a Working Party for the Cotton Industry under the Chairmanship of Sir George Schuster, and on which the Finishing Section have a representative. It is premature to express anv views on this new industrial development, and wc prefer to withhold judgment until they have issued their report. We shall. of course, afford them every assistance, but an doing so we feel sure thev will not overlook the salient fact that the decline in Lancashire staple trade was largely due to outside influences over which the trade itself had no control, and that a few finer touches and rellne- ments here and there will not. in them selves, bring the nrosoeritv we desire, Apart from the fundamental issues at stake, there are one or two problems of peculiar importance to the Finishing Section, to which no doubt the mem bers of the Working Party will direct their attention, and which, if rectified, will help to create that healthy atmosphere which is so essential to industry.

One of these is redundancy. This may seem a strange word in an industry which has already lost so much of its former trade, and when the crv of more exports as on everyone's lips. Neither does it seem to adapt itself to our own nolicv of studied exnanstcn. But the truth is, the capacity of the Spinning Section of the Cotton Trade, on which we depend for cur supplies, has been so reduced by dts own pre-war redundancy scheme, and latterly by shortage of labour, that there now exists a fair measure of surplus capacity in the finishing Section. AMERICAN COTTON MANCHESTER GUARDIAN SPECIAL REPORT NEW YORK.

Tueodar. December 4. The market opened steady at a rise of 3 to 7 points owing to a resumption of trade buying and prlce-fixlnic. The latter was more than usually aggressive and was principally against the March option. It Is understood that lurther inquiries are being made lor cotton lor shipment to France durlne February and March.

The early Rains were soon extended until all positions up to and including May were at new high levels for many years. Expectation of inflation still continued to inspire xnodera'e suppar. from other quarters, while the expected reducriau in the forthcoming ofnclBl crop estimate Is still a Incentive. The scarcity ot contracts undoubtedly added to the renewed rtrmness this morning, hedgings being again oonspicu. ously absent.

This aeeros rather surprising because market levels are now well above the official selling price. Near positions maintained most of the gains up to noon, but distant were later moderately affected bv profit-taking whl -3i. howerer, wa quite meagre in v.ew ot tne recent action ol the market, A steady tone ruled at noon with prices 11 points to points higher. Tbe market was fairly active during the afternoon, but varied llttln from the noon levels as a persistent dribble of 'price-fixing about countered lurther profit-taking. The fixations were aln assumed to be In connection with b7 France.

Far distant months were comparatively neglected, suggesting that speculatlv confidence was stlU lacking. The market closed steadv at 7 points to 10 noints advance. The sale were estimated at 110.000 bales. The Journal of Commerce in Its issue to-morrow will estimate the cotton croo at 9.206,000 bales, or slightly below the official November llgur of 9.36S.0O0 bales. Cotton on the spot was raised 4 points to 25.13c.

At New spot cotton wsj 9 noints dearer at 24.25c. NEW YORK FUTURES (Cosine Rang of Calls To-day lllKh. Low. Prev. Clnee 24-65 24-63 24-59 24-57 24-56 January 24 55 24-55 24-48 24-45 March Oi ZVOB 24-34 Z4-4S Z4'4S 24-41 Z4-41 24-48 24-37 Z4 ii 24'33 24 C9 24-C9 24-16 24-06 October.

23'3Z 23-32 23-33 23-27 23-24 23-24 23 28 23-22 January 23-20 23 20 March 23-15 23-12 23-11 23-09 24 01 24-01 23-24 23-24 23-19 23-15 23-11 23-11 23-07 23 05 IRON AND STEEL MANCHESTER Taeaday. The feature of the steel market locally is the steady flow of delivery specifications for plates, bora, and sheets. New Inquiries lrom Lancashire users are also being dealt with and fresh busineu is being offered by stockholders and abippers. There has been no improvement, however, in tbe demand for nickel and other apeciat alloy iteea and much easier delivery conditions obtain in reapeet ot these than In most other finished products. Tha wire mills and forges are busy arid blooms, billets, and rods are finding a steady outlet, with a fair volume -of fresh business reported.

Trie demand for ordinary foundry grades of S-S Iron continues Co be regulated by tbe release of buying permits, though the aggregate tonnage taken op by lawcasbire users tends to Improve a little. Labour capacity at all foundries In the district light- Jobbing, and engineering Is being fully taxed. Ml DOLES SXOrJGH. Taeaday. Home and export insulries for iron snd steel continue numerous and heavy, but transactions are not extensive, producers beinat disrncisned to add to their heavy commitments.

Manufacturers are running nlanta at high pressure In an endeavour to keep pace with contract obligations, but the shortage of labour and transport dmeuHles still Impede the clearance of outputs. Blgser deliveries ot high phosphorous pig iron, la wanted for nsht casting ilabts. and laereaslng quantities of low-phosphorous srrades are moving into consumption at the engineering The limited makes ot hematite is promptly absorbed. Users ot seirJ-lxnlrlied steel continue to clamour for mavimnm supplies "of billets, blooms, and sheet bars. Tbe improvement ts the heavy branches of the steel Isdnstry continues, but the neatest activity Is still at tbe plants turning out tbe lighter descriptions of material.

Sheet makers cannot undertake new business for delivery before the third auarter next year, and Plate ra-odneers are well sold to the of March afarmfaeturers of railway requisites and colliery eQulcment axe very busv. BANKRUPTCY ACTS NOTICES (Fraes Isst nigfet's "Eavslra ADJUDICATION Smith. Peter James, residing and carry sac on business at Hyde Park Farm. Penrith. Cumberland, farmer.

St. Bees School defeated "Newcastle R.G.S. by 14 points to nothing in a Rugby mstca st Carlisle. The Rugby Union team that beat Oldham on Saturday was the A F. (Haodforth) and not as at first stated.

Paratroopers XV. The Royal Australian Air Force, have Just returned to London from a successful Scottish tour during which Utey drew wltlt a combined Edinburgh Acacemlcala-Wanderers-Herlntonlane fifteen, and beat both Glasgow High School P.P. and Edinburgh University. left London on sxenday night for 'their first tear la France. They tCaj Cbitmrn aa Thursday, Raanne on Saturday, and Lyon on Sunday.

In his address before the international military tribunal at Nuremberg yesterday outlining the British case against the Nazi war criminals, Sir Hartley Shawcross, K.C.. M.P., the Attorney General and chief prosecutor for Britain, described how the Nazis planned the war. Dealing with their designs against Poland, England, and France, Sir Hartley said As far baric as September, 1938, plans for aggressive war against England, and France were well in band. While Hitler, at Munich, was telling the world that the German people wanted peace and that, having solved the Czecho-slovakian problem, Germany had no more territorial problems in Europe the staffs of his armed forces were already preparing plans. Written some time in September, 1038, is an extract from a file on the reconstruction of the German Navy.

Under the heading OpinionTon the Draft Study of Naval Warfare Against England" it is stated 1. If. according Co the FUnrer's decision, Germany It to Acquire a position aa a world Power, she needs not only sumelent colonial possessions but also secure r.aral colxununlcallons and secure access to tbe ocean. 2. Both requirements can onlr be fulfilled apposition to Anglo-French Interests and would limit theL position as world Powers.

It Is unlikely that they can be achieved by peaceful means. The decision to make Germany a world Power, therefore, forces upon us the necessity of making the corresponding preparations for war. 3. War against England means at tbe lime time war against ins Empire, against France, probably saalnst Russia as well and a large number of countries overseas. In face against bait to one-third of the world.

It can only no luftlfled and have a cbanca of success If it is prepared economically ss well as politically and militarily and waaed with the aim of for Germany an outlet to tba ocean. On November 24, 1038, an appendix was Issued by Keitel to a previous order of the Fuhrer. In this appendix there are set out the future tasks for the armed forces and the preparation for the conduct of the war which would result from those tasks. The Fuhrer has ordered that besides tbe three eventualities mentioned in the previous directive preparations are also to be made for the surprise occupation by Oerman troops of the Free Btata of Danzig. For the preparation tba following principles are to be borne In mind: The primary assumption la the lightning seizure of Danzig by exploiting a favourable political situation and net war with Poland.

Troops which are going to be used for tbls purpose must not be held at tbe same time far the selsure of Mrmcl-lnnd. so that both operations can take place simultaneously should such necessity arise. On April 3, 1939, three days before the issue of the Anglo-Polish communique, Keitel issued to the High Command of the armed forces a directive In Which it was stated that the directive for the uniform preparation of war by the armed forces in 1939-40 was being reissued, and that part concerning Danzig would be issued in the middle of April. The basic principles were to remain the same as in the previous directive. Attached to this document were the orders Fall Weiss." the code name for the proposed invasion of Poland.

Preparations for that invasion were to be made in such a way that the operation could be carried out at any time from September 1, 1U39, onwards. Limited to Poland On April 11 Hitler issued his directive Tor the uniform preparations of war by the armed forces, 1939-40. In it he says shall lay down In a later directive future tasks the armed forces and the preparations to be msde In accordance with these for the conduct of wsr. Until that directive comes Into farce the armed forces must be prepared far the lotlowlng eventualities: 1. Safeguarding of the frontiers.

2. Fall Weiss." 3. The annexation of Danzig. In an annex to that document headed "Political Hypotheses and Aims" it is stated that quarrels with Poland should be avoided. Should Poland, however, change her present policy and adopt a threatening attitude towards Germany a final settlement would be necessary, notwithstanding the pact with Poland.

The Free City of Danzig was to be incorporated into Germany at the outbreak ot the conflict at the latest. The policy aims to limit the war to Poland, and this is considered possible with the internal crisis in France and resulting British restraint. The wording ot this document does not directly involve the intention of immediate Degression It is a plan of attack "if r-oiana cnanges ner policy and adopts a threatening attitude." But the decisive document is the record of the conference held bv Hitler on May 23 1939. with various high-ranking officers, including the defendants Goring. RnnHor and-Keitel.

Hitler then stated that the solution of the economic problems could not be found without invasion of foreign Stales and attacks on foreign property. untune Danilg Is not the subject of the dispute at all it is a question of expanding our living-space in tbe F.nt. There is therefore no question or spiring Poland, and we are lett with the decision to attack Poland at the earliest opportunity. We csnnot expect iiiliuuii ui ui, litem iciere will oe war. Our task is to Isolate Paianri.

Th, t. will be deceive. The isolation ot' Poland is a mailer 01 skiutii poiiucs. He anticipated the nossibilitv that war with England and France might result. But a two-front war was to be avoided if possible.

Yet England was recognised as the most dangerous enemv. England is the driving force against Germany the aim will always be to force England to her knees." More than once he repeated that he war with England and France would be a life-and-death struggle. All the same, lis concluded, "Vie shall not be forced into war. but we shall not be able to avoid one." Surprise Blows On June 14. 1939, General Blaskowitz.

then Commander-in-Chief of the Third Army Group, issued a detailed battle plan for the Fall Weiss." The following day Von Brauchitsch issued a memorandum which it was staled that the object of the impending operations was to destroy the Polish armed forces. "High policv demands." he said. that the war should be begun by heavy surprise blows in order to achieve quick results." The preparations proceeded apace. On June 22 Keitel submitted a preliminary time-table for the operation which Hitler seems to have approved and suggested that the scheduled manoeuvre must be camouflaged in order not to disquiet the population." On July 3 Brauchitsch wrote to Raeder urging that certain preliminary naval moves should be abandoned in order not to prejudice the surprise of the attack On August 12 and 13 Hitler and Ribben-trop had a conference with Ciano. the naiian roreign Minister.

At the beginning of the conversation Hitler emphasised the strength of the German position, of its western and eastern fortifications and of the strategic and other advantages that they held in comparison with those of England. France, and Poland. He said: Since the Poles through, their whole attitude hsd 2 tha' any case In the event of a conflict they would stand on the side ot the enemies of Germany and Italy a oulck Uauldat'jn at the present moment could only oe of advantage for the unavoidable conflict with the Western democracies. 11 hostile Poland remained on Germany's Eastern frontier not air aooa the eleven Sast Prussian divisions be tied down but stso further contingents would be keut in Pomeranla and Silesia. This would cot be necessary In the event of a previous liquidation.

Generally speaking, the best thing to happen would be fcr the neutrals to be liquidated one alter the other. This process could be carried out more easily it on evry occasion one partner of the Axis covered the other vrfcJSe it was dealing wish au uncertain neutral. Italy retain well regard Yugoslavia as a neutral of this Jcind. Ciano was for postponing the operation. Italy was not ready she believed that a conflict with Poland would develop into a general European war.

Mussolini was convinced that conflict with the Western democracies was inevitable, but he was riaking plans for a period two or three years ahead. But the Fuhrer said that the Danzig question must be settled one way or tha other by the end of August Decided in Spring On August 22 Hitler called his supreme commanders -together at Obersalzberg and gave the order for the attack in the course of what he said he made it clear that the decision to attack had, in fact, been made not later than the previous spring. He give a spurious cause for starting the war. At that time the attack was timed for the early hours of August 26. On the day before the British Government, that Hitler might still be reluc ts fevKi111! WMldinto war.

and in that a formal treaty would imprtirrr, more than tbe IrJonrial assur entered into an agreement for mutual assistance witn embodying tne previous assurances. For a moment Hitler hesitated. Goring and Ribbentrop agree mat li was in is treaty wmca lea mm to call off. or rather to postpone, the attack. Perhaps heAoped that there was still some chance of repeating, after all, what he had called the Czech affair.

If his hones were short-lived. On August 27 Hitler accented Mussolini decision not at once to come into the war, but asked for propaganda support and a display jot military activities to create uncertainty in the minds of the Allies. Kibbentrop on the same day said that the armies were marramg. On August 31 Hitler issued a top secret order for the attack to commence in the early hours of September 1. The necessary frontier incidents duly occurred was it for these that Keitel had been instructed to supplv Hevdrich with Polish uniforms and tnus, without a declaration of war.

without even giving -the Polish Government an opportunity of seeing Germany's final demands, the Nazi troops invaded Poland. On November 23, 1939. Hitler reviewed the situation to his military commanders, and in the course of his speech he said One year Ister Austria came; this step was also considered doubtful. It brought about a tremendous reinforcement of the Retch. The next step wss Bohemia.

Moravia, and Poland. This step also was not possible to accomplish in one campaign. First of all. the western fortifications had to be finished. Then followed Use creation, ot the Protectorate, and with that the basis of action against Poland was laid.

But wasn't quite) clear at that time whether I should start first against the Sast and then in the West or vie Tarts, Tbe dec lion csme to fight with Poland first. One might accuse me of wanting to fight again and again. In struggle I see the fate of all human beings. Low Countries as Bases As early as August, 1938, steps were being made to utilise the Low Countries as defence bases for decisive action in the West in the event of France and England opposing Germany in its aggression upon Czechoslovakia. In an Air Force letter dated August 25, 1938, which deals with the action to be taken if England and France should interfere in the operation against Czechoslovakia, it is stated Belgium and the Netherlands, when In Oerman hands, represent an extraordinary advantage in the prosecution of the air war against Great Britain as welt as against France.

Thatwas in August, 193B. Eight months later April 28, 1939) Hitler is declaring again I wis pleased that a number of European States availed themselves of this declsration by the German Government to express and emphasise their desire to have absolute neutrality. On May 23, 1939, Hitler held a conference in the Reich Chancellery. The minutes of that meeting report Hitler as saying The Dutch and Belgian air bases must be occupied by armed force. Declarations of neutrality must be Ignored.

If England and Franca enter the war between Germany and Poland they will support Holland and Belgium In their neutrality. Therefore, If England intends to intervene in the Polish war. we must occupy Holland with lightning speed. We must aim at securing new defence lines on Dutch soil up to the Zufder Zee. On August 26, 1939.

when the crisis in regard to Danzig and Poland was reaching its climax, declarations assuring the Governments concerned of the intention to respect their neutrality were handed by the German Ambassadors to the King of the Belgians, the Queen of the Netherlands, and to the Government of the Grand Duchy ot Luxemburg in the most solemn form. But to the Army If Holland and Belgium are successfully occupied and held it was said a successful war against England will be secured." On October 9. before any kind of accusation had been made bv the German Government of breaches of neutrality by neigium. ine iNetnerianas, or Luxemburg, Hitler issued a directive for the conduct ot the war. In that directive he stated 1 If It becomes evident In the near luture that England and France, acting under her leadership, are not disposed to end the war.

I am determined to take firm and offensive action without letting much time elapse. 2. A long waltln? period results net only in the ending al the advantage to he Western Powers, of Belgian and perhaps also ot Dutch but also strengthens the military power of our enemies to an Increasing decree, causes confidence of the neutrals in German final victory to wane, and does not help to bring Italy to our aid as btothers-in-srms. 3. I therefore lsa'f the foliotvini orders fDr the further conduct ot military operations la Preparations should be made for offensive scllon on the northern Hank dI the Western lront crossing the ares ot Luxemburg.

Belgium, ond This attack must be carried out as soon and as forcefuhv as possible. lb) The object of this attack Is to defeat as manv strong sections or the French FIghtint Armv as possible, and her ally and partner in the fighting, and at the same time to acouire as great sn area of Hollsnd. Belgium, and Northern. France ds possible to use as a base offering good prospects for waging serial snd sea warfare sratnst England and to provide ample coverage for the vltsl district or the Buhr. On October 15, 1939.

Keitel wrote a most secret letter concerning Fall Gelb, which was the code name for the operation against the Low Countries. In it he stated The protection of the Ruhr area bv moving aircraft reporting service and the air defence as far forward as passible In the of Holland is 'significant for the whole cot.duct of the war. The more Dutch territory we ocrnnv th or the Ruhr area be made. This point of view must determine the choice of objectives ot the Army even it luc nnuy ana -xiivy are not ua-ectly interested in such territorial rain. It nmt th nhier-t.

nr ti, Army's Dreoaratlons. th'Mn-- to iwtim nn 1 tr a special order the territory ot Ho'Jsrid in the first instance in ine ares ot tne ureODe-Marse line, it will depend on the militsrr and political attitude of the Dutch Be well at on the effectiveness nr thrtr flooding whether objects can and must be further extrnaea. We have in our possession a series of seventeen letters dated from November 7, 1939, until May 9, 1940. postponing almost from day to day D-Day of the operation, but on May 10. 1940.

once more the forces of aggression marched on. On April 6. 1941, the German armed forces invaded Greece and Yugoslavia, but pf course the plan had been well in hand before that date. Advice to Mussolini We have an undated letter from Hitler to Mussolini which must have been written about the time of the Italian aggression against Greece: Permit me at the beginning of this letter to assure you that within the last 14 days my heart and my thoughts have been more tban ever with ycu. Moreover.

Dues, be assured of my determination to do everything on your behalf which might ease the present situation for you. when I asked vou to receive me In Florence. I undertook' the trip In the hope of being to express my views prior to the beginning ot the threatening conflict with Greece, about which I had only received general Information. First. I wanted to reojuest you to postpone the acticn.

If possible until a more favourable time or the year, at all events, however, until after tbe American Presidential Election. But In any case, however. I wanted to request you. Duce. not to undertake this action without previous lightning-like occupation ot Crete and.

for this purpose. 1 also wanted to submit to you some practical suggestions in regard to the employment ot a German parachute division and a further airborne division. Yugoslavia must become disinterested If possible, however, from our point of view. co-operaung tne liquidation of the Greek Question. Wlthcut assurances from Yugoslavia wcicaa iw iw successful operation in tne Bs'Jcana.

Unfortunately I must stress tbe fact ins: waging a war in the Balkans before March is impossible. Hence it would also serve to make anv 1.. tnftnenn. nMn nn nnmn-a ince the Serbian General Staff Is well aware of the no practical action couia io.iow seen a "''ore March. Here Yugoslavia must.

If at all poss.a.e. be won over by other means and other ways. On Jannai-vr 98 TTiMfw Jodl, Keitel, and Ribbentrop were present at the meeting, and it is from Jodl's notes of what took place that we know that Hitler stated that one of the purposes of German troop concentrations Rumania was for use in his plan fox the operation against Greece. On March 1. 1941 Bulgaria and moved towards the Greek ironuer.

in me lace of this threat of an attack on Greece by German as well as Italian forces, British forces were landed in Greece on March 3 in accordance with the declaration which had been given by the -British Government on April 13, 1939, that Great Britain would feel bound to give Greece and Rumania respectively all the support in her power in the event of either country becoming the victim of aggression i 9UU1 dsSlCUlUO. Soviet Deceived I turn now to the last act of aggression with these Nazi conspirators are cnargea tne attack: upon Russia. In All0llrt 1Q3Q flAnnqn 1 aouhfaprilvr intenrlino- tn ttv i some convenient opportunity, sufHcientlv Auuicin uovernrnerit to secure a pact of non-aggression between them. It fallowed, therefore, that when Belgium and the Low Countries were occupied and France collapsed in June, 1940. England was left alone as sole repre-sentaUve of democracy in the face of the forces of aggression.

Only the British Empire stood between Germany and the Western world. Only the British Empire ba UMNO. Allt gt-WH5 England, and that defeat had a profound mnuence on tne future course or tne war. On July 16, 1940. Hitler issued to Keitel and Jodl a directive for the invasion of England.

It started off by saying and Englishmen will be for ever proud of it that since England, despite hei militarily hopeless situation, shows no signs of willingness to come to terms. I have decided to prepare a landing operation against aaa. .1 necessary, 10 carry is out. ine arm 1 to eliminate the English homeland as a base for the carrying on or the war against Germany. The preparations for tbe entire operation must be completed by mla-August.

But the first essential condition for that plan was that the English Air Force must morally and actually be so far overcome that it does not anv loneer show anv con siderable aggressive force against the uerman attacK. On June 22. 1941. the German -armprl forces invaded Russia without warning, without declaration of war. It was a breach of the Hague Conventions it was a viola tion OI tne r'act of Fans of 1928 it was in flagrant contradiction of the treaty of non-aggression which Germany and (Russia had signed on August 23, 1939.

But that treaty, perhaps more blatantly than any other, was made without any intention of being ooservea ana oniy for tne purpose of assisting tha German Government to carrv out their aggressive plans against the "Western democracies before eventually turning east in tneir own good time, rimer nimseii. in referring to the agreement, said agreements were only to be kept as long as they served a purpose. Ribbentrop was more explicit. In an interview with the Japanese Ambassador in Berlin on February 23, 1941. he made it clear that the object of the agreement had merely been to avoid a two-front war, Raeder gives us the probable reasons for the decision to attack Russia in a note to Admiral Assmann The fear that control or the air over tbe Channel in the autumn of 940 could no longer be attained, a realisation which the Fuhrer no doubt gained earlier tbon the Naval War Staff, who were not so fully Informed of the true results of air raids on England (our own losses), surely caused the Fuhrer, as far back as August and September, to consider whether, even prior to victory In the West, an Eastern campaign would be feasible with the object ot first eliminating our last serious opponent on the Continent.

The Fuhrer did not openly express this fear, however, until well Into September. He may not have told the Navy of his intentions until later in September, but by the beginning of that month he had undoubtedly spoken of them to Jodl. Dated September 6. 1940, we have a directive of the OKW signed by Jodl, which says Directions are given for the occupation forces In the East to be Increased in the following weeks. For security reasons this should not create the Impression in Russia that Germany Is preparing for an Eastern offensive.

Directions are given to the German Intelligence Service pertaining to the answering of questions by the Russian Intelligence Service. The total strength of the German troops In the east to be camouflaged by freauent changes In this area. The impression is to Pe created that the bulk of the troops in the south have moved whilst the occupation In the north is only very small. Molotov in Berlin On November 12, 1940, Molotov visited Berlin. At the conclusion conversations between himself and the German Government a communique was issued in the following terms The exchange ot ideas took place In an atmosphere of mutual trust and led to a mutual understanding on Important questions Interesting Germany and the Soviet Union.

It is not to be supposed that the U.S.S.R. would have taken part in those conversations or agreed to that communique if it had been realised that on the verv dav orders were being given for preparations to oe maae lor tne invasion ot Kussia ana that the order for the operation Barba-rossa was in preparation. Four days later that order was issued: The GermaT armed forces have to be ready to defeat Soviet Russia, in a swift campaign before the end of the war against Great Britain. And later in the same instruction All orders which shall be Issued bv the High Commanders In accordance with this Instruction have to be clothed In such terms that thev may be taken aa measures of precaution in cose Russia should change her present attitude towards ourseivea. Keeping up the pretence ot friendliness.

on January iu, 1941 alter the plan Barbarossa for the invasion of Russia had been decided upon, the German-Russo frontier treaty was signed. On February 3, 1941. Hitler held a conference, attended by Keitel and Jodl, at which it was provided that the whole operation was to be camouflaged as if it was part of the preparations for the "Seelowe," as the plan for invasion of England was called. By March, 1941, the plans were sufficiently advanced to include provision for dividing the Russian territory intn nine separate States to be administered under Reich commissars under the general control ot Rosenberg. It is significant that on Mav 2.

1941. a conference of the State Secretaries of the pian noted: 1. The war can onlv cnnt'TiiiMl IP nt, forces are fed out ot Russia in the third year of the 2. There is no doubt that as a result manv millions of people will be starved to death If we take out of the country the things necessary lor us. But this aDnarentlv created nn rnnr-em The plan Oldenberg, as the scheme for economic organisation was called, went on.

ay May 1 the date of the operation was fixed. By June 1 preparations were virtually complete, and an elaborate time- taoie was issued, it was estimated that although there would be heavy frontier battles, lasting perhaps four weeks, after that no serious opposition was to be ex pected On June 22. at 30 in the morning, the German Armies marched aeain. The usual false pretexts were, of course. civn And so the Nazi, Armies were flung rtsaii.at me ruwer wun wnicn xiiuer -naa so recently sworn friendshm.

and Cler. many embarked on that last act of aggression which, after long and bitter ngnting. was eventually to result in Ger many's own collapse. STAKEHILL INQUIRY OPENS Court Visits Camp At the Armoury. Ashton-under-Lyne, the old headquarters of Ashton Terri torials, the War Office inquiry into the conditions at the Stakehill Military Detention Camp, Rochdale, opened yesterday.

The proceedings are in private and the Court is expected to sit tor several days. About twenty-five military witnesses and 35 civilian wit nssses will be heard. Shortly after the court opened the proceedings were adjourned for the members of the Court to visit the Stakehill camp, where last month Private James Hanlon was found hanged. They spent over two hours in tne camp before their return to Ashton. Major General Brownjohn is presiding over the Court, and the other members are Lieutenant Colonel Redwood.

Major uuues, a.o., jjieuienani colonel Mayne, Colonel Hopkins. The Court has the assistance of a nsvehiatric After the visit to the camp, evidence was given by a Drivate. who had to the inquiry from hospital and was in charge of a R.A.M.C. orderly. To-day the Rev.

J. T. Woodward, vicar of Castleton. the Rsv. Urien Evans, his curate, and the Rev.

T. G. Moore, of the Presbyterian Church, Rochdale, who has acted as Nonconformist chaplain at the camp, will give evidence. MOSCOW DYNAMO TEAM ENTERTAINED The" Lord Mayor of London (Sir Charles Davis) and the Lady Mayoress of London last night entertained the Moscow Dynasio football team and representatives of Soviet sport at dinner at the Mansion House. Tb.2 guests included the Soviet Ambassador and his wile.

General Sit Frederick Pile. Mr. 5 51-Baker (Minister of State), Lord and Lady Wigram. ELASTIC POLICY Government Not to 1 A request to the Government to give further particulars of its agricultural policy and how it was going to be carried out was made by Lord Selborne in the House of Lords yesterday. Prices, he said, must be related to costs, and of these wages were by far the greatest.

If the Government was not going to fix prices which woulcl enable fanners to pay high, wages there would be greater unemployment in agriculture than ever before. On the subject of death duties. Lord Selborne said they were responsible more than else for preventing the proper equipment of tarms. Speaking of the commission to be set up for the purpose of managing and developing for agricultural use land acquired under its powers, he said if that was going to be piecemeal nationalisation of land he could not see how that was going to help. LANDOWNERS' JOBS Lord Addison (Leader of the House) said if they were going to establish stability of prices they must have control over the home-produced and the imported commodities.

The whole idea of a stabilised price system was to enable an emcient fanner to produce the goods and pay adequate wages. It was to enable that to be done that the Government scheme had been devised. They wanted to see land producing food for which it was Desr suited, xnat was sound agriculture and they must have a scheme sufficiently elastic lor bulk production. "We do not propose to farm from Whitehall," Lord Addison f-aid. Answering a question about milk production.

Lord Addison said that there was no target, but production must be greatlv increased. It had fallen by 15,000.000 gallons, while consumption had risen, the explanation being that 150,000,000 gallons less had been made into butter and cheese and also much less had been processed. Consequently there had been 270,000,000 gallons CHILDREN IN THE DARK More Killed on Roads More people were killed or injured on the roads during October than in any previous month this year, states a Ministry of War Transport announcement yesterday. The total was 13,997, which included 534 killed and 3,249 seriously injured. Fatal accidents to child pedestrians numbered 117 the highest 1 total for October ever recorded.

Two-thirds of the victims were under eight, and in the majority of cases the accident was the sequel to running into the roadway. The ending of Summer Time, with the consequent! advance in the time of dusk, was followed by a sharp rise in fatal accidents to children during the hours of darkness," says the Ministry. Nineteen child pedestrians were killed during these hours compared with seven in October last year. As many school children are now for the first time returning home from school in the dark, parents and drivers are asked to do all they can to ensure their saretv parentsi fey instructing children in kerb drill and arranging for them to be accompanied whenever possible by older persons, and drivers by exercising special vigilance." Total deaths among child cyclists and child pedestrians were 136. This means that on an average one more child was killed every day than a year ago.

During all hours there were 534 killed, compared with 487 in October, 1944. There were 3,249 seriously injured, compared with 2,694, and 10.214 slightly injured (7.773). During darkness 172 were killed (159), 987 seriously injured (847). and 2,659 slightly injured (2.012). During other hours 362 were killed (328).

2,262 seriously injured and 7,555 slightly injured In Brief Mr. Rasmussen, the Danish Foreign Minister announced yesterday that Denmark is claiming about 6.000,000,000 in compensation from Germany. Two thousand five hundred tons of Spanish onions have been discharged at Cardiff and will go to places in the South-west and South of England and to NJV.A.F.I. Erich Toddel, a Berliner who was sentenced to forced labour for life at the Belsen trial, has been executed on a previous sentence of death for killing a Polish giri at Belsen. M.

Leon Jouhaux, General Secretary of the C.G.T. (French T.U.C.); left Paris yesterday by air for London. He will attend the meeting of the Franco-British Trade Union Committee on December 11 and 12. Salford Transport Department has received licences for 38 new buses and orders have been placed for them. Delivery is expected in May.

The department needs 6d new vehicles to meet its immediate Alderman W. p. Jackson, the Deputy Mayor, has been elected chairman of the Conservative group in the Manchester city council, in place of Councillor C. B. Walker, and Councillor S.

P. Dawson replaces Alderman u. n. wnite as deputy chairman. Alderman G.

and Councillor C. E. P. Stott will still lead the Labour group as chairman and uepuiy cuainnan respectively. MANCHESTER ASSIZES i The cases to be heard before Mr.

Justice Croomj-Johnson in the Civil Court at Manchester Assizes to-day are At 10 30 a.m.: Bilttr t. Rran Samcrrille and Golttn Nora Western Road Car ICannton Alliance IBct KneU t. Rlsier: Wharton t. Pjfast Pnrrace, Gill t. Poirry ATistion VJM -Mtddodc v.

lace; -Sndfart t. Bennett FOR AGRICULTURE Farm from Whitehall" Lord Addison more liquid milk to drink. The improvement in herds made during the war should be continued in order to increase the yield per cow. TTf rti -nrtf ianv Vinf nn unV. r9 4Vi r.

decline of the industry in equipment was due to taxation. It was not this Government but years of Tory government that was responsible for that. It was not the policy of the Labour party to ask land- nWIIDrG tn imnn.ciMa Hit. was to be helpful, but landowners must mcu juus vi uiaptx way xui uiuers. Aa T-v tit -i a j.

yu uxs j-iB. warr aescriDea me policy 9C Vs sCtr.Tirt -fr mnnnt jAriln.niln.. tt the Government that the old conflict between town and country was wrong. Ai.c uauim naa reausea tnat tne 500,000,000 of purchasing power in the nf tha inr1iii4i important to the nation. On the question 'c iiunKe 01 agricultural laoour ne asked if the Minister of Agriculture was standing up to his colleagues over Class releases.

Lord Bledisloe said the Government agricultural policy was a valuable contribution to national security. "We now have our chance," he declared. It is up to all of us whether landowners, farmers, or workers to justify this by efficiency, hard work, and public spirit." He urged that discoveries made in research stations should be put over in language that farmers and workers could understand. BANKS' SWEATING CHAMBER Lord Quibell declared that the Government's policy would give farmers confidence. They could go into the "sweating chamber of their local bank to ask for a loan with more hope.

Speaking of farm buildings, he thought people in some parts of the country would never drink milk again if they saw where it was produced. Agricultural labour had been lost because of conditions on farms and much skill driven away. Lord Quibell added. To get it back they would have to educate the mind for generations. He thought they would have to have some tied houses in country districts.

The debate was adjourned. MASTER PLAN FOR THE CLYDE Unified Control Urged A new "Clyde Port Authority," similar to the Port of London Authority, which will bring the river and estuary under the full control of a single unified body, is recommended by the Clyde Estuary Committee in its report issued to-day. The report declares that a "master plan" for long-term development depends on the outcome of proposals now being considered for the establishment of a naval base. It is recommended that the plan might incorporate dry-dock facilities for the largest ships, better facilities for handling ore cargoes, increased mechanisation, first-class roads serving and radiating from the dock. areas, ana improvement and expansion of barge traffic.

The committee declares that there is a general and emphatic demand for dry-dock facilities on a scale sufficient to accommodate the largest type of vessel built at the Clyde yards. It was anomalous that such vessels should never be able to return to the Clyde for periodical repairs and refits." It says there is no case for any large-scale new port construction in the United Kingdom. The need is not for more ports, but better ports. SPORT WOMEN'S COUNTY HOCKEY In a keenly contested women's county hockey match Yorkshire beat Cheshire at Sheffield by five goals to four. The soft and heavy ground accounted for much mishitting, and the players obviously found it very difficult to field the ball or to move quickly.

Cheshire opened the attack and scored three goals early in the first half through Guest, Ashworth, and Yorkshire then settled down, and at half-time they had scored two goals through Fort and Eisworth. In the second half play was evenly distributed, and the remaining goals were scored in alternate succession by Fort (2) and Eisworth for Yorkshire, and Guest for Cheshire. In the Cheshire forward line Palmer and Baxter combined very well on the left wing. On the Yorkshire side Robson, the centre ball, was outstanding and dominated the defence. Lancashire beat Durham at Darlington by four goals to three.

The winners' goals were scored by Thornton (3) and Buchanan. The following will represent Yorkshire against the Manchester League on Saturday at Firs, Fallowfield Dt (Dewsburr); Wyett (Hull FasreS Tork: Plate ILaum Blltoa (Boll Helli-rell (Hud-rlersfleM): Homer fYork) Flsworth rrr.exTley). Forster Fort Wakefield), rartrs (OKUnsbmm). WOMEN'S LEAGUE HOCKEY UMPIRES SHIELD. Second Round.

Replay: Ltjrland fie. Andre" 3. Lerlsnd Yoath Clnb 1. LANCASHIRE CENTRAL LEAGUE. DtTlaioa 1: Lerlanil Hours 3.

Be-lshav's cs.O.C. 1: Wlnekley Square O.G. 7. Presun arid District 2nd Preston and District 8. OId Chorlelans 0: Darwea 3.

CUtberoe R.G.S.O.O. O. Dirts km Preston St. Ccthbert'i z. SIemens cHarm-Scli L.1CS.

1. inland Rerenue 0. Brook 31111 4. S.Al.G.O. o.

Division Lancrldxe Youth Clnb 8. saints' Campalcners Foresters' Hail yoctb ClrJ 5. Christ chorea Lerland Clubland 1. Preston and District rd Preston St. Cntnbert's 2nd 2.

Siemens 2nd 1. WOMEN'S CLCB HOCXET BESVLTS Bocndale O.o. A 7. P.T.A. IZancbester rsi-rersitr 3.

CnorIton Wltoiscion 9. Sale 0: Old Indians 7. Cleailer 0: aatancastnans S. Burr S.C. Fumeos 5.

loorecarabe A 2: Durham University S. Liverpool TJnlTersity Lanrsner 6. Ambleside 4. MANCHESTER LZAGTJS. DjdBbarv 4.

South Manchester Wha01ey Ranee 3. Wonder 3: JPrestwlch 6. Pendleton 3: TJrmston 7. Crump-all 0: Fronds Street 10. Avro Chloride 6.

Prestwleh 2nd 1: Phoenix 9: I.C.I, Y.W.C.a- Bnrsmley Qreen 2. lm psoas l. WEbraham 0: Whailey Ranze 2nd 3. Drmston 2nd Bursood o. Manchester Welsh 1.

NORTHERN ROWING At the annual meeting of Provincial Rowing Clubs (the first since December, 1938) Saturday, June 29, was allotted for the 1946 Agecroft Regatta. The majority of clubs announced their intention of reviving their regattas, and the Agecroft club hope to compete at many of these. The first event will be the North of England bead of the river race at Chester 1 next March, and Agecroft have already started training in eights in preparation for this. ctoae. No Iceland JUb..