REACTIONS TO SPEECH

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 154, 26 March 1938, Page 11

REACTIONS TO SPEECH

Resentment In Berlin GOOD RECEPTION IN ROME Approval, In Paris FRANKNESS APPLAUDED BY DEPUTIES By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received March 25,,6.30 p.m.) London, March 25. Official circles ifi Prague regard Mr. Chamberlain’s speech as showing understanding of Czechoslovakia’s problems. His remark that reasonable demands should be conceded is interpreted as meaning that he is aware that there are demands which cannot be met. The speech is unpalatable to Germany. The Government spokesman emphasised the official attitude by saying that the position of minorities abroad was a matter purely of German concern. It is gathered that the British offer of help in reaching a solution in Czechoslovakia is resented as interference. The speech was well received in Rome. It was approved in Paris, where its frankness caused a sensation in the lobbies of the Chamber of Deputies and -Senate. Well-informed circles are of opinion that though the declaration lacks definiteness the Italian and German dictators may think twice, in view of the lesson of 1914, before assuming that British dislike of commitments means' inertia at a crisis, NEW YORK OPINION Dilemma Of Peace-Loving Nations VITAL INTERESTS COUNT (Received March 25, 11.30 p.m.) New York, March 25. The “New York Times,” in an editorial, says: “It is a long road that leads from the early post-war faith in a system of collective security to Mr. Chamberlain’s address. It is a long road marked along the way by disappointed hopes and bitter disillusionments. Collective security does not exist to-day and thoughts on the subject have ceased to shape the policies of governments. “We are living in a day when only vital interests count. It is because Britain has no vital interests in Central Europe that Mr. Chamberlain announced his inability to give a prior guarantee regarding Czechoslovakia. “British policy, like ours, is at the present time isolationist. It is the dilemma of peace-loving nations, detesting war and knowing what that costs, that the very sincerity of their desire for peace now prevents them from opposing aggressor nations with a show of collective force which alone can give reality to any system of security.

“In the meantime Britain arms, and conversations in Rome point with increasing clarity toward an Anglo-Ital-ian rapprochement.”