NOT BEWILDERED

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 128, 2 June 1938, Page 8

NOT BEWILDERED

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—ln the Monday issue of your paper Professor Sewell is reported as stating that the people of Britain are "bewildered" and do not know what to think of our foreign policy.

-1 Before I left London a few weeks - ago the "bewilderment"' caused by Mr. [! Eden's resignation had already settled j into a conviction that in Mr. Chamber- ■• lain we have a statesman who is hand- - ling the nation's affairs with realism and common sense. Mr. Chamberlain 'i is determined not to have 1914 over t j again, and is trying a practical way of • achieving the ideal of peace in . Europe. Mr. Eden felt unable to pursue Mr. Chamberlain's way with confidence ; and conviction, and while the public L' sympathises with Mr. Eden, it is not I bewildered, but pleased with Mr. . Chamberlain. Mr. Eden stood for a firm, unchanging policy of opposition to the whims ' or desires of dictators, even to the ■ brink of possible catastrophe. Mr. Chamberlain's policy is flexible, and takes into account the changes in ' world conditions. And if at times other nations consider this is weak- ' ness, it is unfortunate but not true. Mr. Eden's course tended to embarrass the Prime Minister and weaken the Government of which he is a member, at a period when a united front is imperative. It is for the Prime Minister to decide policy on great issues. Mr. Chamberlain told the House of Commons in a recent speech that "our desire for peace and our patience under repeated provocation do not mean that we are indifferent to our international obligations, or forgetful of our duty to protect British interests."—l am, etc., K. KIRKCALDIE.