CONTINUED RETREAT MEANS CONFUSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 224, 22 September 1938, Page 11

CONTINUED RETREAT MEANS CONFUSION.

MR. EDEN SPEAKS.

Must Make Stand Against

Threats of Force.

OUTLOOK MORE* PERILOUS,

United Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 10 a.m.)

LOXDOX, September 21

Mr. Anthony Eden, in a speech al the English-Speaking Union, said "The conviction is growing that con tinued retreat will only lead to ever widening confusion.

"The British people know that a stand must be made. They pray that it be nvt made too late. No Englishman or American is not moved by the use or threat of the use of force by a big nation against a small one.

"The international situation is far worse than it was six months ago and is steadily deteriorating. Some believe that if immediate issues can be solved without force the ambitions of all European Powers will be largely met thus ending the crisis. I cannot find justification for such hopes.

I repeat the view I expressed in June that appeasement must not be at the expense either of our vital interests, or national reputation, or our sense of fair dealing.

"It will be neither jeal nor lasting at such a price, but will merely make real appeasement more difficult. There must always be a point where Britain has to make a stand. She must clearly make a stand when otherwisa she would" forfeit her self-respect and the respect of others.

"Even if the present dangers can be evaded there must be dangers arising because appetites have been whetted", because force has prevailed, and law and order have receded into the background.

"If such a situation endure, it will become intolerable. It is even now infinitely perilous. The truth is that each recurrent crisis brings us nearer to war.

"Under such conditions the best the world can hope for is an uncertain peace with soaring armaments and shrinking trade leading ultimately to war or general disintegration."

LIBERALS CONDEMN.

Government Surrender Without

Calling Parliament.

NOT TOO LATE FOR FIRMNESS,

(Received 10.30 a.m.)

LOXDOX, September 21

A meeting of the Liberal party passed a resolution condemning the Government having initiated, without consulting Parliament, another surrender to force and reversing the policy announced a fortnight ago, whereas a firm lead could have preserved peace with honour. It also declares that the proposals, as represented in Press reports, cannot be worked, are unlikely to preserve peace and will confront Europe generally, and Britain in particular, with ever-increasing demands from Herr Hitler, backed by ever-increasing force.

The Liberals demand the immediate reassembly of Parliament.

Sir Archibald Sinclair, the leader, said: "We have merely submitted to Herr Hitler's demands. Submission has been extorted by threat of war."

j He asked: "Would the Dominions J share the British guarantee of the , frontiers of a small, gravely weakened . State T Such a guarantee would be an , onerous and dangerous addition to the responsibilities of Britain. It was not too late for firmness." 'IBEST OF BAD JOB." Canadian Press Opinion of Chamberlain's Move. I U.S.A. CRITICISM RESENTED. (Received 1 p.m.) MONTREAL, September 21. The "Montreal Star," resenting the United States' criticism of Mr. Chamberlain, declares that Americans are willing to fight for the Czechs to the last Frenchman. "Britain and France could have gone to war, eventually entering Berlin. What then? They cannot permanently enslave 70,000,000 people. It is not Herr Hitler who has won but two great democracies, realising that they were strong enough to concede a point or two." The majority of Canadian newspapers agree that Mr. Chamberlain courageously made the best of a bad job. RETURN ORDERED. BRITISH NAVAL DIVISION. (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 21. The British naval division has been ordered to leave Istanbul immediately instead of on Friday. It is understood that it will carry out certain tactical exercises in the East Mediterranean. Visits to Bulgarian and Rumanian ports have been cancelled. LABOUR INTEREST. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. -■ (Received 12 noon.) RUGBY, September 21. A joint meeting of the General Council of the Trade Union Congress, the national executive of the Labour party, and the executive committee of the Parliamentary Labour party received a detailed report of the action taken by jthe National Council of Labour in the 'international crisis. I Having endorsed the action so far taken, the meeting sent a deputation, consisting of Mr. Elvin, president of the T.U.C., Sir William Citrine, Mr. Dallas, chairman of the Labour party, and Dr! i Dalton, Mr. Herbert Morrison and Mr" ; A. V. Alexander, M.P.'s, to the Foreign Office, where they were received by "Viscount Halifax on behalf of Mr. Chamberlain. The deputation reported to the resumed meeting m the evening.