CALMER ATMOSPHERE

Evening Star, Issue 23048, 29 August 1938, Page 9

CALMER ATMOSPHERE

The European Situation No Further Move By Germany British Influence on Side of Peace Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, August 27. After yesterday’s alarms and excursions, there is a quieter atmosphere in Prague, despite the outburst of the Berlin Press blaming the Prague censor for not suppressing the Czech newspaper which described German soldiers in the world war as not soldiers but beasts.

SUDETENS’ DEMANDS NEW BASIS FOR NEGOTIATION CZECH GOVERNMENT'S SUGGESTION LONDON, August 27. The Sudetens’ proclamation relaxing discipline is much deplored in official circles in London, which welcomed the Czech Government’s conciliatory suggestion of a new basis for the negotiations with the object of meeting the Sudetens’ demands. BRITAIN’S POLICY A YEAR OF ANXIETY PLEA FOR GOODWILL AMONG NATIONS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 27. “ That declaration holds good today. There is nothing to add or to vary in its content,” declared Sir John Simon - (Chancellot_of the Exchequer), in a speech at a National Government demonstration at Lanark. Sir John was recalling the speech of the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain), in the House of Commons on March 24. Concluding his speech, Sir John said the beginning of a conflict was like the beginning of a fire in a high wind; it was impossible to say how far it would spread, the extent of the destruction, and how many • would be called on to extinguish it. While Britain would fight to discharge her duties and protect the interest of the Empire people, she would always bring the whole weight of her influence to prevent war anywhere in the world. Sir John’s speech was almost entirely devoted to foreign affairs. At the end of a general exposition of the present Government’s foreign policy he turned to the particular case of Czechoslovakia, which he said was very much in the public mind at the moment, and he recalled that Britain’s position had been fully and accurately defined by Mr Chamberlain. “ There is no need to stress the importance of finding a peaceful solution,” he said, “ for in the modern world there are no limits to the reactions of war. This very case of Czechoslovakia may be so critical for the future of Europe that it would be impossible to acsume the limit to the disturbance which a conflict might involve, and everyone in every country who considers the consequences has to bear that in mind.”

Sir John emphasised that a solution of the controversy in Czechoslovakia required contributions from all concerned. The Government had recognised that there was a real problem in Czechoslovakia needing urgently to be solved, but it was convinced that, given goodwill on all sides a solution could be found which would be just to all legitimate interests. They would, he said, all have read the striking speech made the other day by the United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull), which laid stress on the widespread reactions of war and on the necessity for substituting for the use of force in iternational relations methods of friendly co-operation. What Mr Cordell Hull had said and what President Roosevelt said a few days later in Canada must have wakened a responsive echo in many British hearts. LORD RUNCIMAN’S MISSION. Referring to Lord Runciraan’s mission, Sir John said that the good wishes of all the world, which realised how much hung upon the success, were with him in the task he had undertaken with .such public spirit—going to Prague not as an arbitrator nor a

judge, but as a mediator and friend. He was there in no sense as a representative of Britain, but as the representative of all men everywhere who desired justice and who loved peace. “ I am convinced that all reasonable people of every nation must desire to assist rather than hamper his endeavours to bring the several elements of the Czechoslovakia problem to a just settlement. Meanwhile it is the duty - not only of us but of all others—and all are concerned in world peace—to do nothing to imperil a satisfactory conclusion, and, as I have already said, we firmly believe that if the right spirit prevails a peaceful settlement reconciling all interests and claims and achieving goodwill will be attained.” Sir John said that the international situation gave His Majesty’s Ministers little respite. Ho defined the general policy of the Government in foreign policy as a positive policy of peace. It had been a year of great anxiety and difficulty, and in nothing had Mr Chamberlain’s leadership been more marked than in the resolute, positive efforts ho and Lord Halifax made to reduce the tension and promote appeasement. WAR NOT INEVITABLE. For his part, Sir John said, he would repudiate altogether the attitude that war was inevitable. He would rather proclaim the view that, if all the nations alike would do their utmost to remove the causes that might lead to war and'would try to meet in a fair spirit the difficulties from whatever quarter they came, war was never inevitable. There were great countries in Europe, Sir John continued, with a system of government very different from the British, which no one of them brought up in the traditions of parliamentary democracy would accept for themselves, hut that was no reason why they should conduct their foreign policy as if friendship were impossible with these States of widely different political systems. VIOLENCE CONDEMNED. With reference to the ideal of peace and the position of the League of Nations, Sir John said: “ All the efforts of Britain have been directed to the strengthening of the foundations of peace and the adoption of argument and reason in the settlement of international differences. “ For we are convinced that true solutions cannot be found by the use of violent measures. Apart from the loss, suffering, and death which accompany such measures, their adoption in any good instance may easily have repercussions which might in certain circumstances involve others besides the parties at first concerned. Once this process has begun, who can say where it will end? FAITH IN THE LEAGUE. “ It is the realisation of this,” Sir John concluded, “ that led to the adoption of the ideals and principles forming the basis of the League, and it has been a matter of profound regret to Britain that the absence of a number of important nations has so gravely weakened the League. If, however, as an instrument it has been found on occasion not capable of bearing the strain imposed upon it, that does not mean that we should abandon its principles. I believe that just as the people of this country have a deep and abiding love of peace and a corresponding hatred of war, so have the people of all other nations. I believe that everywhere the man in the street desires to lead his life in an atmosphere of quietude and security, looking forward to the enjoyment for himself and his children of the good things of life, and hating the dreadful, awful consequences which modern war brings upon all alike.”

VEILED WARNING TO GERMANY SPEECH WELCOMED IN PRAGUE LONDON, August 28. French Foreign Office officials interpret Sir John Simon’s speech as a veiled and timely warning to Germany, as it involves support of France if she is obliged to enforce her treaty obligations. The speech is welcomed in Italy, as it does not herald a fresh pledge to France, which was expected. Italy, nevertheless, believes it to be a warning to Germany. Czech Government circles regard the speech as more important that Mr Chamberlain’s, as it reaffirms the British attitude after the Czech mobilisa-

tiou in May. It is believed that the speech will restrain German pressure, enabling, the Government and Lord Runcimau to secure time to develop a new plan. AMERICAN COMMENT. The United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull), commenting on the speech, said the American record for similarity of thought with the British in the preservation of peace spoke for itself. THE GERMAN VIEW. Comment by German Government officials on Sir John Simon’s speech is limited. The opinion is expressed that the speech is vague, although the engerness expressed in it for peace is identical with the policy of Herr Hitler, 'who is aware of the Germans’ antiwar mood and will not precipitate a conflict. Germans refuse to accept the speech as a warning to Germany against war, preferring to regard it rather as a warning to Czechoslovakia. MR CHAMBERLAIN’S FORMER PRONOUNCEMENT NO GUARANTEES TO FRANCE OR CZECHOSLOVAKIA (British Otiicial Wireless.) RUGBY, August 28. (Received August 29, at 11 a.m.) Sir JohiTSimon’s speech has attracted widespread attention, and his restatement of Britain’s attitude is welcomed by the Press.

Salient passages in Mr Chamberlain’s statement of March 24 are reproduced. Mr Chamberlain said be could give no guarantee to go automatically to the assistance of Czechoslovakia should she be attacked ; nor would be pledge Britain to give full military aid to France should she fulfil her obligations under the France-Czechoslovakia treaty. He added: “But, while stating this decision, I would add this-—where peace and war are concerned legal obligations are not alone involved, and if war broke out it would not be likely to be confined to those who have assumed such obligations. It would bo quite impossible to say where it might end and what Governments might be involved. The inexorable pressure of facts might well prove more powerful than formal pronouncements, and in that event it might well be within the bounds of probability that other countries besides those which were parties to the original dispute would almost immediately be involved. That is especially true of two countries like Britain and France, with long associations of friendship, with interests closely interwoven and devoted to the same ideals of democratic liberty and determined to uphold them.” GERMANY'S HUGE ARMY HR WINSTON CHURCHILL’S VIEWS LONDON, August 28. Mr Winston Churchill, addressing his constituents at Theydon Bois, said: “ War is certainly not inevitable, but Germany in mobilising a million and a-half men when she is not menaced is taking the gravest step. They are not being placed on a war footing without the intention of reaching a conclusion within a very limited time. A TIMELY REMINDER

THE KELLOGG-BRIAND PACT WASHINGTON, August 28. The Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull), on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Kellogg-Briand Pact, reminded the signatories of their obligations to maintain peace in the face of the grave European situation. “ The Governments and the people,” lie said, “cannot be unmindful of their obligations and responsibilities for the observance of pledges made 10 years ago.” Mr Hull mentioned the countries present at the signing of the pact—namely, the United States, Germany, the British Empire, Italy, Japan, Poland, and Czechoslovakia, thereby appearing to point directly to the current European situation. The British United Press correspondent at Washington indicates that State Department officials feel that Mr Hull’s timely reminder to European nations concerning their pledges not to go to war might have a beneficial effect, steadying the situation by keeping alive evidence that the United States vital interest is the maintenenoe of peace.

YUGOSLAVIA'S DENIAL NO OVERTURES FROM GERMANY BELGRADE, August 28. The Government denied that Germany has asked for an assurance of neutrality in the event of intervention in Czechoslovakia. FRONTIER INCIDENT CZECH SMUGGLER SHOT BERLIN, August 27. German Customs officers shot dead an alleged Czech smuggler, who refused to halt on the Czech-German frontier at Neuaign. BRITISH MINISTERS TO CONFER (British Official Wireless.; RUGBY, August 28 (Received August 29, at 11 a.m.) Mr Neville Chamberlain intends to hold a meeting of available Ministers on ’Tuesday. Sir Neville Henderson has been recalled from Berlin to Loudon for consultations.