CLINGING TO HOPE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 298, 28 September 1938, Page 5

CLINGING TO HOPE

MR CHAMBERLAIN’S VIEWS. HITLER’S UNREASONABLE DEMANDS. THE AWFULNESS OF WAR. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, September 27. Mr Chamberlain, in a broadcast address to-night, said: “To-morrow Parliament meets. Today there is a brief lull. I thank those who have written to my wife and me. It. was heartbreaking to me when they thought too soon that the danger was past. An earlier statement could not have been possible when I was flying backwards and forwards to Europe and the position was changing hourly. “How horrible and incredible it is that we should be digging trenches and trying out gas-masks because of a quarrel in a far-away country! “I have done all one man could to ■compose this quarrel. After my visit to Germany I felt vividly how Herr Hitler feels that he must champion the Germans. I find Herr Hitler’s attitude unreasonable in his final demands. I shall not give up hope for a peaceful solution. “I would not hesitate to pay a third visit to Germany if I thought it would do any good. We cannot undertake to involve the whole British Empire in war, however much we may sympathise with a small nation. lam myself a man of peace to the depth of my soul. Armed conflict between nations is a nightmare to me. I ask you to wait as calmly as you can for events during the next few days. I am going to work for peace until the last moment. So long as war has not occurred there is always the hope that it may be prevented. “I can well understand the reasons why the Czech Government has felt unable to accept the terms of the Ger,man memorandum, yet I believe, after all the talk by Herr Hitler, that if only time will allow, it ought to be possible to* reach an agreement under the conditions which will ensure fair treatment to the populations concerned. After my visits to Germany I realise vividly how* Herr Hitler feels that he must champion every German whose grievances have not been met. He told me privately, and yesterday repeated publicly, that Sudeten Germany is the end of Germany’s territorial claims in Europe. After my visit to Berchtesgaden I gave the Czech Government Herr Hitler’s proposals and I was taken completely by surprise when I returned to Germany and he insisted that the territory he wanted should be handed over to him immediately and occupied by German troops without previous arrangements for safeguarding the people who wore not Germans and who do not want to join the German Reich. The Really Great Issue. “I must say I find that attitude unreasonable. If it arose from any doubt that Herr Hitler feels about the intentions of the Czech Government to carry out its promises and hand over the territory, I have offered, on behalf of the Czech Government, to guarantee their words. If I were convinced that any nation had made up its mind to dominate the world by fear of its force I should feel it should be resisted. Under such domination the life of people who believe in liberty would not be worth living, but war is a fearful thing. We must be very clear before we embark on it. That is the really great issue that is at stake, and the call to risk everything in its defence when all the consequences are weighed is irresistible.” Mr Chamberlain concluded appealing to his countrymen to offer their services to the authorities and not be alarmed if they heard of men being called up for the anti-aircraft services or for ships. These were only precautionary measures, and they did not necessarily mean we had determined on war or that war was imminent. “However much we may sympathise with a small nation confronted by a big powerful neighbour, we cannot in all circumstances undertake to involve the whole British Empire in war simply on her account,” said Mr Chamberlain. Negotiation Still Possible. “It is evident that the Chancellor has no faith that the promises made will bo carried out,” Mr Chamberlain said in a previous broadcast. “These promises were not made to the German Government direct, but to the British and French Governments. “In the first instance, speaking for the British Government, we regard ourselves morally responsible lor seeing that the promises are carried out fairly and fully. We are prepared to undertake that they shall be so carried out with reasonable promptitude, provided the German Government agrees to a setlement by discussion and not by force. “I trust that the Chancellor will not reject the proposal,” added Mr Chamberlain. “It is made in the same spirit of friendliness as that in which I was received in Germany, and which, if it is accepted, will satisfy the German desire for the union of Sudctenland in the Reeich, without the shedding of blood in any part of Europe.” It is stated in official quarters that Mr Chamberlain during the last week tried with Herr Hitler to find a way of settling peacefully the Czechoslovak question. It is still possible to do so by negotiationWOMEN LEAVE FOREIGN LEGATIONS. PRAGUE, September 27. An announcement early to-day said the German and Italian Ministers with the Legation staffs had departed, but Reuters later learned that only the womenfolk of the Italian, German, and United States Legations had left. The Ministers and staffs remain.