BRITAIN AS MEDIATOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 120, 24 May 1938, Page 6

BRITAIN AS MEDIATOR.

| In his notable speech on foreign policy on March 24 ' Mr. Chamberlain enumerated Britain's existing commitments, "which might lead to the use of our arms for purposes other than our own defence." Having mentioned France, Belgium, Portugal, Iraq and Egypt, he said: "In addition our armaments may be used in bringing help to a victim of aggression in any case where in our judgment it would be proper under the provision of the Covenant to do so. The case might, for example, include Czechoslovakia." He added (repeating Mr. Eden's statement on a former occasion) that the word "may" was used'deliberately, since f) i such a case there was no automatic obligation |to take military action.

I In the present crisis concerning Czechoslovakia the foregoing statement should be [borne in mind. The British Government, having deliberately left itself free to suit its course to the circumstances of an emergency, is now in a position of advantage. It can urge, and it is urging, the Prague Government to leave nothing undone that will make for a peaceful settlement of the problem. At the same time, if it is not actually warning iGermany of the consequences of aggressive action, it is giving no encouragement to the 'idea that Britain would acquiesce in such 'action. The increased strength of the British fighting forces no doubt is a powerful aid to her mediatory efforts. It would appea_ that it' Herr Hitler did contemplate another coup Le has been forestalled. With the passing of t.me the possibility of surprise has gone.