A TRUE PEACE IN EUROPE

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23088, 2 August 1940, Page 9

A TRUE PEACE IN EUROPE

Britain’s Aim Stated by Mr Amery

HELP GIVEN BY

THE DOMINIONS

(BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.)

(Received August 1. 7.30 p.m.)

RUGBY, July 31

Answering suggestions in HCrr Hitler's recent speech that the British insisted on prolonging an unnecessary struggle, the Secretary of State for India (Mr L. S. Amery) declared that Herr Hitler's own nature and the system and spirit w'hich he had created had known no other aim or purpose than war for the sake of power, and power for the sake of more war. "Like Napoleon before him he is driven on from aggression to aggression, from conquest to conquest, till the irresistible, stubborn will of a free people brings him to the inevitable crash," said Mr Amery. “Until bis power is broken there can be no true peace for us, no security for all we prize, for our freedom, for dur very lives. ! .

. "In’ that sense we are fighting for ourselves, but we are not fighting for ourselves alone. Our cause is that of all nations, great or small, that are threatened or have already been overwhelmed by brute force and lawless aggression. We are fighting for peace, not an ignominious peace which allows the aggressor to have his way unhindered till he is* ready for the next attack, but a true and lasting peace based on justice and fair dealing between nations.

“That has been our aim from first to last. It was the honest ■ aim of every British Government in the years before the war. It is an aim that made us take up arms against Germany’s wanton attack on Poland. It is an aim which we shall keep in sight to the end of the struggle and, no less important, after victory has been won. We are fighting to secure true peace for Europe as well as for ourselves. “The peace that Hitler would give Europe is the peace of the desert. Where the Nazis rule, free political and religious activity is ruthlessly cut down. The Jiving springs of free human thought are choked. The peace we seek for Europe is the peace not of the desert and death, but of life With its rich, infinite diversity. "To make detailed plans to-day for the future of Europe is a waste of time. Victory must come first, but we can at any rate keep in our own hands and convey to the world outside the spirit that sustains us in our fight and watchwords that embody our purpose, “Until the other day thebe were three words set like jewels in the Coronet Of France whose fays had sent forth their message to the world for more than 150 years—‘Liberty, equality, fraternity.’ But they have been dropped in the gutter by the nerveless hands into which, for. a tragic interlude, have fallen the destinies of a nation which has been for so long and will, 1 trust, be again the soul and Inspiration of Europe'. Task for Britain “It Is for us to hold up those words once again as a torch, not for France alone, but for all Europe and for the world. Let us revive them, but in a wider sense than that of the relations of individuals within a , community. They apply no less to the rights of minorities, the rights, of language and culture and of religious or political faith. They apply to the rights of nations groat or small in their relation to each other. “We, too, aim at a united Europe as a solution of the rivalries' and conflicts of the past, but it is a Europe united not by terror, but in a free and equal partnership, not a Europe exploited and slave-driven by a barbarian conqueror as an instrument for fresh conquests beyond, but a Europe prosperous in mutual co-operation—a free commonwealth held together like our own by common interests and by the common aim of peace and happiness for all members. “Within its borders, too. as also hero at home, we look to something more than the cessation of international conflict. We look to a true social peace, to a better world at home and abroad, where there may be a more real economic freedom, more opportunity, and more security for all.” Mr Amery continued that criticism might be voiced that* it was asking too much of Britain single-handed to restore the freedom of Europe, 1 Bill are we standing alone to-day?” he asked. “Canada is with us, Australia is with us, South Africa and New Zealand are with us, and India, too, is with us. In spite of their political differences her people are united in their detestation of the Nazi creed, and from every quarter and from every community in India there come the most generous offers of help, while her forces are being increased as rap- : idly as the necessary provision of modern equipment will allow, “Thpre is not a corner of the Empire, however remote, not a community, or tribe, however small or poor, which has not made* a contribution in money or effort to the common cause. Men from the outer Empire have already played their part in every theatre of war. It was the New Zealand cruiser Achilles that took so memorable a share in that glorious encounter of the River Plate, It was the Australian cruiser Sydney whose accurate gunnery knocked out the more powerful and faster Italian cruiser. Airmen from Dominions “South African airmen are harassing the Italians day in and day out in Abyssinia. In all the fighting over Norway and Flanders and over our own shores, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and South African airmen have played a conspicuous part, and there are thousands more to come. At this moment contingents from every Dominion and from India are here ready to do their bit in guarding the heart of the Empire. “In the background, with Us in thought and feeling, though not directly engaged in the conflict, stands America. We do not ask her to fight our battle, even if we may think in a sense it is her battle, too. If blood be the price of liberty, >we are prepared to.'.pay our . own way, but we know that America, if not belligerent, is something more than a cold, disinterested spectator, We look to her to allow us to draw upon her amazing resources, skill, and energy, and supplement our' material deficiencies; and we shall not look in vain. “I have spoken as if we had only One enemy, Hitler, but I must not forget his accomplice and henchman, his cabin boy in the pirate ship, Mussolini. He took care only to join in the battle when he thought that all Was ever bar the shouting and the share-out. But it is not all over. It is only Just beginning, and I venture to think that if he was the last to join in he will be the first to Wish to get out—if Hitler allows it—-and that when it comes to sharing out he may find himself in the position not of a recipient, but of a contributor. “He has offered great hostages to fortune In Abyssinia and in Libya and elsewhere. Whatever initial advantages he may gain, whatever prizes he may get into his hand for a while, in the end he will have to forfeit all his takes.’’