TEXT OF MESSAGE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 28, 13 November 1939, Page 5

TEXT OF MESSAGE

ASSURED BASES REQUISITE. GERMAN ACTIONS RECALLED.

(United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) ;; LONDON, November 12.

The King, replying, on behalf of the British and Dominion Governments, to Queen Wiihelmina and King Leopold on their peace appeal, recalled the favourable replies by the British and French Governments to King Leopold’s appeal on behalf of the signatories to the Oslo Convention on August 23, also the readiness of the British, French, Italian, and Polish Governments to accept the good offices of the Belgians and Dutch on August 28, to. which Germany did not reply. “A few days later,” says the King, “Germany launched an unprovoked attack against Poland,. which has been overrun with every circumstance of brutality; My Governments deeply appreciate the spirit of the offer of Your 'Majesties. They, are always willing to examine a reasonable and assured basis for equitable peace.’’. .. “It has always been my desire that war. should, not last a day longer than is absolutely necessary, and I can therefore at once reply to that part of your Majesties’ appeal in which you state your willingness to facilitate the ascertaining of the elements of agreements to bo reached. The essential conditions on which wo are determined that an honourable peace, must bo secured, have been already plainly stated. Documents published since the war clearly explain its origin and establish responsibility for .the outbreak. The elements which the Government consider must form part of the settlementemerged clearly from the recent statements of policy by Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax. Should your Majesties be able to communicate to mo any proposals from Germany of such a character as would afford a real prospect of achieving Britain’s purpose—do redeem Europe from the perpetually-recurring fear of German aggression and to enable 'the peoples of Europe to preserve their independence and liberties—then my Government would give them the most earned consideration.”