AGGRESSOR STATES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 5, 6 July 1939, Page 14

AGGRESSOR STATES

A MOVE TO STOP THEM

SPEECHES BY EDEN & SIMON

Conscription and the international situation were the themes of almost every political speech made during the weekend, reported the "Manchester Guardian" en May 8.

Mr. Anthony Even, M.F., addressing the. conference of the Rotary International Association tor Great Britain and Ireland at Brighton on Saturday, asserted that there could never be compulsion in this country in any sphere unless it was based on voluntary consent.

The British . people, he continued, were convinced that to the nations of the world there could be brought a prosperity in excess of anything that the wealthiest peoples enjoyeo today It was true that. the. world's goods were not justly proportioned today, probably they never would -be.-. It was true that seizure of another nation's goods temporarily increased the plunderers nominal wealth, though such benefits were as nothing compared .with those to be gained by other methods. "In modern conditions." he said, 'an aggressor State can plunder the whole world and live a beggar." If we opposed methods of snatch and grab it was because this practice among nations put a stop to progress in every sphere. WAR DEGRADING AND STUPID.

The world was now in uniform, said Mr. Eden, adding: "As a people there is scarcely any material price we would not pay that war might become as antiquated as duelling. If we feel this, it is not because the British people are decadent or soft, but because they know that war when it is not unbelievably degrading is unspeakably stupid." Was this not wellnight true of the peoples everywhere if they were left to themselves? "This influence is at the same tin?e the one element that gives us a reasonable hope Against this we have to set certain conceptions of statesmanship." ■

Declaring that a warning had now been uttered and precautions taken. Mr, Eden added, "We know now that the world can keep the peace only if its rulers will learn a like language, practise the same philosophy, and keep open faith." Colonel Beck had made a valuable contribution in his emphasis upon the determination to defend certain basic principles of conduct in international, life. .

Sir John Simon, Chancellor of the Exchequer, speaking on Saturday at Great Yarmouth, where he is prospective Liberal National candidate, said of the Military Training Bill: "If it is asked why we should carry this measure in time of peace when the voluntary effort of the country is so great and when all men of good will are. striving to avert war the answer is to be found in the speed with which modern events take place. "IN THE VERY FIRST HOUR." "If trouble comes we have to be ready in the very first hour. If ever we had to face a European conflict we could not begin to build up our armed forces, as Lord Kitchener did a quarter of a century ago, after the.conflict had started, for the need to show our strength and our preparedness will exist in the first hour."

Sir John said that all the indications went to. show that the Military Training Bill was being received by the country with approval. "I respect the anxieties of those who fear that the measure, by dividing the nation would weaken rather than strengthen our united eLort," he said "But lam sure that that will not be the result if we respect one another's convictions and show how we realise that fundamen tally the nation is united in purpose and spirit. "I have a special right to say this, for nearly twenty-five years ago I thought it my duty to resign from a Cabinet of which I vvas a junior mem ber on the issue of conscription My reason for doing so was very largely because I feared that the divisions which compulsion would l'aise would weaken the country.

"My fears were not justified in the end, for in the end the necessity; fer national unity and national strength was recognised as overwhelming. The need for this could not be greater than it is today, and this is one of the strongest reasons for basing the Government on broad foundations, more extensive than any one party can provide."