HORRIBLY INCREDIBLE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 77, 28 September 1938, Page 13

HORRIBLY INCREDIBLE

Thought of War

MR. CHAMBERLAIN BROADCASTS

Still Hopes For Peace

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received September 28, 10 a.m.) LONDON, September 27. The Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, made an Empire broadcast at 8 o'clock tonight on the European crisis. "Tomorrow Parliament will meet," said Mr. Chamberlain, "and today there is a brief lull. I thank those who have written to my wife and myself. It was heart-breaking to me when they thought too soon that the danger was past. An earlier statement would not have been possible when I was flying backwards and forwards across Europe and the position was changing hourly. How horribly incredible it is that we should be digging trenches and trying out gas masks because of a quarrel in a faraway country. I have done all one man could do to compose this quarrel. "After my visit to Germany I felt vividly how Herr Hitler feels he must champion the Germans. I find Herr Hitler's attitude unreasonable in his final demands. I shall not give up hope for a peaceful solution. I would not hesitate to pay a third visit to Germany if I thought it would do any good. CANNOT INVOLVE EMPIRE IN WAR. "We cannot undertake to involve the whole British Empire in war, however much we may sympathise with a small nation. lam myself a man of peace to the depth of my soul. Armed conflict between nations is a nightmare to me. "I ask you to await as calmly as you can the events of the next few days. lam going to work for peace until the last moment. So long as war has not occurred there is always the hope that it may be prevented. "I can well understand the reasons why the Czech Government has felt itself unable to accept the terms of the German memorandum, yet I believe, after all my talks with Herr Hitler, that if only time will allow, it ought to be possible to reach a settlement by agreement under conditions which will ensure fair treatment for the populations concerned. "After my visits to Germany I realise vividly how Herr Hitler feels. He must champion every German whose grievances have not been met. He told me privately, and last night he repeated publicly, that the Sudeten German claim is the end of Germany's territorial claims in Europe. After my visit to Berchtesgaden I gave the Czech Government Herr Hitler's proposals, and I was taken completely by surprise when I returned to Germany and he insisted that the territory he wanted should be handed over to him immediately and occupied by German troops without previous arrangements safeguarding the people who are not Germans and who do not want to join the Serman Reich. UNREASONABLE ATTITUDE. "I must say that I find that attitude unreasonable. If it rose from any doubt that Herr Hitler feels about the intentions of lie Czech Government to carry out its promises and hand over the -rritory I have offered on behalf of the Czech Government to uarantee their words. if I were convinced that any nation had made up its mind to lominate the world by fear of its force I should feel it should be resisted. Under such domination the life of a people who believe in Soerty would not be worth living, but war is a fearful thing, and we must be very clear before we embark on it. That is the really great issue that is at stake, and the call to risk everything in their defence" when all the consequences are weighed is irresistible." Mr. Chamberlain concluded with an appeal to his countrymen to offer their services to the authorities and not to be alarmed if they heard men were being called up for anti-aircraft or for manning si

ships. "These are only precautionary measures," he said, "but they do not necessarily mean that we have determined on war or that war is imminent. However much we may sympathise with a small nation confronted by a big and powerful neighbour, we cannot in all the circumstances undertake to involve the whole British Empire in war simply on her account." FIRST BROADCAST IN GERMAN. After Mr. Chamberlain's speech a German speaker translated the speech and read a news bulletin containing items which had not appeared in the German Press, beginning with President Roosevelt's message to Herr Hitler. This is the first time news has been broadcast in German from London. Mr. Chamberlain spoke for eight minutes in deep and anxious tones. There was pathos in his voice when he prefaced his address with the touching reference to premature letters of thanks received by himself and his wife when it was thought the Berchtesgaden consultation would produce peace. Mr. Chamberlain's emotion was noticeable when he mentioned his' willingness to go a third time to Germany, followed by his admission of the apparent uselessness of such a visit. Mr. Chamberlain did not falter, but the stress under which he was labouring was obvious when in a few simple words he expressed his passionate hatred of war, followed by the chilling reminder of the national tasks lying at hand. He expressed the sense of frustration of the common people when he said: "How horribly incredible it is that we should be digging trenches and trying on gas masks because of a quarrel in a faraway country."