A CLEAR CONSCIENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 56, 4 September 1939, Page 9

A CLEAR CONSCIENCE

FINISHING INTOLERABLE POSITION

PREMIER'S FERVENT BROADCAST

CERTAIN RIGHT WILL PREVAIL

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received September 4, 11 a.m.)

LONDON, September 3

Mr. Chamberlain broadcast from No. 10 Downing Street at 11.15 a.m., shortly before the Commons met. After referring to the expiry of the ultimatum to Germany, he said: "In consequence this country is at war with (Germany.

"You can imagine what a bitter blow this is to me, that all my long struggle to win peace has failed. Yet I cannot believe that there was anything- more or anything different that could have been done that would have been more successful.

"Up to the very last it would have been possible to arrange a peaceful and honourable settlement between Germany and Poland, but Herr Hitler would not have it. He had evidently made up his mind to attack Poland whatever happened, and although he now says he jput forward reasonable pi-opo'sals which were rejected by the Poles, that is not a true statement. These proposals have never been shown to the Poles nor to us, although they were announced in a German broadcast on Thursday. Herr Hitler did not wait to hear comment on them, but ordered his troops to cross the Polish frontier next morning. . ~ "Herr Hitler's action shows convincingly that there is no chance of expecting this man ever to give up his practice of using force in order to gain his will. We and France are ready today to fulfil our to Poland, who is so bravely resisting this wicked and unprovoked attack on her people. "We have a clear conscience. We have done all any country could do to establish peace. The situation, in which no word given by Germany's ruler could be trusted and no people or country feel safe, has become intolerable; now we have resolved to finish it. "I know you will play your part with .calmness and courage at such a moment as this. The assurances of support we have received from the Empire are a source of profound encouragement. The Government has made plans;, under which it will be possible to carry on the nation's work." Mr. Chamberlain concluded: "May God bless you all. May we defend the right. It is the evil things we shall be fighting— brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression, and persecution, and against them I am certain right will prevail."

GREAT EXCITEMENT IN LONDON

The announcement of the British ultimatum was the signal for Intense excitement in Downing Street, the whole south side being pauked with men and women. When the radio was heard announcing that war was inevitable, a woman waving a Union Jack led the outburst of enthusiasm. There was a re-

newed demonstration as Sir Samuel Hoare left for the House of Commons. , The crowds cheered and cheered the announcement oi the declaration of war at No. 10 Downing Street. The House of Commons mot at noon, and members cheered Mr. Chamberlain as he entered. He ended his momentous five minutes' speech amid terrific cheering. "I cannot tell what part 1 may be allowed to play myself," he said, "but 1 hope 1 may live to see the day when Hitlerism has been destroyed and a restored and liberated Europe re-established."