HOSTILE CAMPS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 129, 25 February 1938, Page 11

HOSTILE CAMPS

Britain’s Endeavour To Reconcile Europe

HONOUR AND JUSTICE Not Prepared To Accept Inevitability Of War (British Official Wireless.) (Received February 24, 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, February 23. The Home Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, speaking at a National Chamber of Trade luncheon in London, said that for months past Europe had seemed to be irrevocably splitting itself into two hostile camps. Both were arming with feverish activity. In both alike the! e were very dangerous rumours of an inevitable clash.

The British Government was not prepared to accept the inevitability ot war. They did not believe that a catastrophe must come. They were determined to make a sustained effort to drive the haunting fear of war out of the hearts of men and women In Europe. They might fail in their attempt, but he asked the country to believe in their integrity. This, stud Sir Samuel, was no cowardly, shady negotiation, upon which they had embarked. It was an honest attempt to face the causes of difference and remove them with honour and justice to both sides. Nor was it in any sense the sacrifice of old friends. If they wished to make new friends, there could be no question of abandoning old ones. .