Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1939. EMPIRE AT WAR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 276, 4 September 1939, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1939. EMPIRE AT WAR.

The fateful words of Mr Chamberlain announcing that Britain, which means the Empire, is at war with Germany, were received by the people of the British Commonwealth of Nations with a full realisation of the dread future that lies before the world, yet with an unfaltering conviction that honour left no other course open. Every possible step that offered a chance of averting a conflict has been taken by Britain. The blame for bringing upon the world as terrible, perhaps even more terrible, a calamity as that of 1914-18 rests upon those who flagrantly violated international law and justice and revealed themselves as lacking in regard for humanity. One of the grievances the Germans have against the Versailles Treaty is that one of the clauses loaded Germany with the stigma of guilt for the Great War. To discuss that charge now would be futile in face of the grave accusation made in sober yet vigorous words by the Prime Minister of Great Britain. Without a shadow of doubt Herr .Hitler stands condemned for all time as having deliberately and by shameless methods “ plunged the world into misery to serve his own senseless ambition.” Herr Hitler’s aim throughout his career as Fuhrer has been to obtain restoration of territory that his country lost as the result of her challenge to the world twenty-five years ago. Had he been content to achieve his purpose by reasonable methods undoubtedly he would in due course have received sympathetic consideration, for with the lapse of years there was a growing disposition in Britain, at any rate, to the opinion that some modification of the terms of the Treaty was desirable. But instead of endeavouring to conciliate those countries that imposed the penalties, he sought to gain his purpose by a series of aggressive acts which need not be detailed. The absorption of Austria was a mild action; the rape of Czechoslovakia was an international injustice; the present invasion of Poland is a crime against humanity. By his ruthless denial of opportunity for the Poles to even consider his sixteen points he has forfeited any semblance of right he may have possessed. It can only recoil upon him as retribution. If any incentive were required to fortify the determination of Britain and indeed the whole Empire to resist to the utmost the aggressiveness of Nazi Germany, Herr Hitler has supplied it. New Zealand stands firmly behind the Mother Country in the course forced upon .her for the defence, not of Polish independence alone, but of the very foun-: dations of civilisation. New Zealanders, priding themselves om their unfaltering adherence to the principles of British honour, will bear with courage and fortitude whatever burdens may be • cast upon them through a ruthless dictator spurning Britain’s strenuous efforts for the preservation of peace.