POTENT POISON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 148, 26 June 1939, Page 7

POTENT POISON.

NAZI PROPAGANDA.

Assertions Of Britain's Plans

For Encirclement.

GROTESQUE TRAVESTY,

LONDON, June 25

"The real tragedy of the situation to-day seems to me to be that the future of Europe is being poisoned by the propagation of false and unfounded suspicions," said the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, }n a speech last evening at Cardiff.

"The German people, for instance, are being drenched day and night with assertions that Britain is planning their encirclement, which means the to them of the natural and legitimate expansion of their trade and the exercise of gradually-increasing economic pressure designed to lower their standards of life until they are finally crushed and helpless.

"What a grotesque travesty of the attitude of this country! The aim of our foreign policy, now*as it has always been, is to establish a peaceful world in which each nation can pursue its occupations in security and confidence.

"In-such a world, we see great prospects of expansion for German industry and employment of German workers. Every country needs goods and equipment such as British and German industries, particularly. are able to supply; but such a future must remain a dream until Germany is ready to drop her unjust suspicions of others and shows she is sincerely ready to talk reason with reasonable people."'

_ After referring briefly to the situation in China, the Prime Minister went on:

"When I compare the state of our armed forces and our ability to resist attack to-day with the position a year ago, I feel I can face the future with calm confidence. Our Navy is the most powerful in the world; our Army is daily increasing in numbers and efficiency; and without giving figures, I can say our Air Force has expanded during the year at a rate far beyond expectations, while the quality of the personnel and the speed and "power of the machines are unexcelled.

"These mighty armaments threaten no one, but are available to resist aggression or domination. The agreements we have made and the guarantees we have given to other European Powers have only the same purpose—to strengthen the peace front and protect the independence of States whose faith in their own security has been shaken by the fate of others.

"Yet I repeat once more, and this is my last word—our opposition is not to change, because in a changing world there must be adjustments from time to time. What we are resolved to oppose is the use of force to bring about changes which should be deter aained by discussion and co-operation.