BRITISH OPINION

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 51, 29 August 1939, Page 9

BRITISH OPINION

SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENT

MORE UNITY THAN IN 1914

(British Official Wireless.) (Received August 29, 10.10 a.m.)

RUGBY, August 28,

British opinion remains firm and resolute behind the Government. There has been no wavering in any quarter, and the Press assumes that today's reply to Herr Hitler will confirm again Britain's undertaking to Poland which would be honoured with all her armed forces immediately attack on her vital interests was resisted by Poland.

"The Times," after recalling Ministerial declarations that there is nothing at issue which might not be settled by negotiations unhampered by threats of force, if confidence ex* isted that the resulting settlement would be honoured, says that the British position is absolutely clear. The main decision was taken long ago. The defection of the Soviet from the peace front has rallied old friends and brought some new ones. It has not affected in the slightest degree the pledges to Poland of Britain and France, which were never dependent on Russian help.

The "Manchester Guardian" says Britain is more united in opinion today than in 1914.

The "Daily Telegraph" says that no compromise at Poland's expense can be entertained. Discussing the possibility of negotiation, it adds that an agreement, to be worth while, must look beyond a temporary settlement of the Polish problem. Nations as a whole must know where they stand for the future.

WAITING WITH CALM.

The "Daily Herald" says that in its determination to honour its pledges, even to the ultimate test of war, this nation is united as it has never been before. While in every sphere of activity, official and unofficial, measures proceed apace which are designed to place the country in a state of complete preparedness for an emergency, and more particularly in respect of civilian defence and the A.R.P., the public here await tomorrow's meeting of Parliament and the Premier's statement with calm which seems to arise from the feeling confidently held that Britain is ready for a trial of strength if it comes and that the decision of peace or war.lies elsewhere.

Observers of popular sentiment are impressed by how deep '■abhorrence of war, so long uppermost with the British people, has been overlaid with an attitude of grim and dogged defiance which is the reaction of people who have become weary of repeated and persistent threats to peace and the quiet of Europe.

Discussion of what British policy is or should be has disappeared from the newspapers. It is now taken for granted, and even the former isolationist Press leaves its readers in no doubt, that the independence of Poland is the issue in all other European States, including Britain herself.

There was a complete rehearsal of the evacuation of London school children today.

Prolonged conferences took place today between Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. A. Greenwood (Acting Leader of the Opposition), and Sir Archibald Sinclair (the Liberal Leader).

It is understood that tomorrow's meeting of Parliament is likely to be brief.