BRITAIN REGARDS' EUROPE'S CRISIS OVER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 67, 21 March 1938, Page 7

BRITAIN REGARDS' EUROPE'S CRISIS OVER.

RESPONSIBLE PRESS. No Longer Fears of Cabinet Division. OPPOSITION VIEWS. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, March 20. The more responsible Sunday newspapers regard the European crisis as over and consider it certain that there will be no new British commitment in Central Piirope. "The Observer" says that progress of the talks between Britain and Italy, and the Lithuanian decision to accept the Polish ultimatum, combined to produce a much calmer atmosphere in the general European situation. Last night there were no longer any fears of a British Cabinet splbt. Even some of his former critics now appreciate the -wisdom of Mr. Chamberlain's restraint. "We are united in our determination that our country should be strong, not merely to protect our own interests, but the strength of Britain is perhaps the greatest factor in the preservation of the peace of the world," said the Air Minister, Viscount Swinton, speaking in the Midlands, reports a British official wireless message.

What had happened in Austria had been a great shock to confidence in the world, he said, and was a serious deterrent to the promotion of good relations which the Government continuously sought to achieve. "It is well that not only we in this country, but that Germany should understand why what happened has been such a shock to this country, which is only too anxious to be on good terms and have reasonable agreements and fair relations with that great country," he continued. . "It is not in the least a question of merits of the union of Austria with Germany —probably many people will think that in itself was a reasonable arrangement. It was the way in which it happened that shocked, .alarmed and made indignant not only Britain, but probably every other country in Europe." Sir Samuel Hoare, speaking in the West Country, said the international situation was grave, but was by no means hopeless. Mr. C. R. Attlee, Labour leader, attacked the Prime Minister's policy and declared that the drift to war must be arrested. Forces on the side of peace and rule of law were very powerful, but awaited a decisive word. The Liberal leader, Sir Archibald Sinclair, speaking in the country, emphatically denied that war was inevitable, but condemned "the drifting policy of the Prime Minister," and demanded a return to the League policy.