INTERNATIONAL SITUATION

Evening Star, Issue 23177, 28 January 1939, Page 15

INTERNATIONAL SITUATION

SIGNIFICANT RECENT SPEECHES STRENGTH OF ANGLO-FRENCH ENTENTE (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY. January 27. (Received January 28, at 11 a.m.) The speeches by Signor Mussolini on the fall of Barcelona and by M. Daladier and M. Bonnet on the international situation are being carefully studied in London. The ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ finds not a little ominous the phrase in Signor Mussolini’s speech that the fall of Barcelona “ opens another chapter in the history of the new Europe we are creating.” A new situation, it agrees, is created, and while not surprised at the suggestion for an international conference, to the idea of which M. Bonnet was by no means hostile, it calls attention to the latter’s warning that one must he aware of being disappointed, and adds that the prospects at the moment of the necessary collaboration are not bright. “M. Bonnet’s reaffirmation that Freneh-British friendship was never so dose as to-day will,” says the ‘ Daily Telegraph,’ “ be echoed unanimously on both sides of the Channel, for that entente is founded not only on political sympathies, but on identity of vital interests. It is the cornerstone no less of the British than the French policy. The events of the past year have put the entente to the severest tests, and have not only revealed, but tempered, its fundamental strength and the fact that the desire for peace in Britain and France is unquestionable.” Doubters as to Britain’s power to defend it are advised by the ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ to ponder over Sir ' Samuel Hoare’s speech. There is no confirmation in London that Signor Mussolini intends to ask for a four-Power conference to which oblique reference was apparently made by M. Bonnet. No such intention was revealed in the Auglo-Italian Rome talks.

GENERAL ELECTION IN TURKEY ISTANBUL, January 27. (Received January 28, at 1 p.m.) llefik Saydam has announced an immediate general election, instead of in the autumn, because of the alarming turn in the international situation. The Government wishes to stabilise internal affairs in order to meet contingencies \ DEMOCRACIES STANDING TOGETHER TORONTO, January 27. (Received January 28, at 1.30 p.m.) Sir Gerald Campbell, the British High Commissioner in Canada, addressing the Service Club, declared that the world was “ about to throw another lit.” He urged that every opportunity be taken to impress on the dictators that the democracies were standing together and were daily growing more united. Sir Gerald Campbell also urged that there should be less criticism of the British Government, which was striving to do its utmost to avert hostilities. PRESERVATION OF CIVILISATION APPEAL TO THE SANITY OF NATIONS. (British Oflioial Wireless.) RUGBY, January 27. (Received January 28, at 11.30 a.m.) The text of the appeal for peace is as follows: “ A spirit of uneasiness broods over the world. Men and women in every country are uncertain what the next weeks and months may bring. They see huge armaments piling up on every side. They see plans being made for civilian defence and they realise only too vividly that war under modern conditions between highly-organised States can bring no good but only death and destruction to countless homes irrespective of age and sex. They see our civilisation, to which men and women of all classes and in all countries have contributed, threatened with the greatest catastrophe in human history. It is time, if we are not to be too late, that men of goodwill who value the fruits of civilisation, who have no hatred or spirit of revenge in their hearts, and who desire in all sincerity to live on terms of friendship with their fellow men in every country, should speak across the frontiers to those who feel as they do in order that they may use together their gifts of heart and mind to co-operate in preventing a supreme catastrophe and in breaking down the artificial barriers of hatred by which we are in danger of being divided.

“ We in Britain have no desire to dictate to others. While resolutely determined to maintain our own liberty, ive stand for peace—a peace of equality for all and justice for all. We stand for the rule of law in the relations between States—the only basis on which our civilisation can be preserved. Wo recognise that no civilisation, if it is to survive, can be static. We appeal to other nations to use those great gifts by which they for centuries have enriched our common inheritance in all fields of human knowledge and activity, and join with us in a supreme effort to lay the spectre of war and enmity between nations,- and in a spirit of free and willing co-operatjon, by which alone can their needs and ours be ..tisfield, build with us a better future so that we may not only preserve civilisation, but hand it down to our children enhanced by pur experience.,”

BROADCAST TO GERMANY LONDON, January 27. (Received January 28, at 1 p.m.) The Australian Associated Press says that the statement issued by the distinguished public men was submitted to the highest quarters before its publication, and was regarded there as one of the greatest possible contributions to the moral case against war and considered most timely. Arrangements are being made to broadcast the statement to Germany at least three times to-night. It will also be included in all other foreign programmes from the 8.8. C. The signatories include science and art leaders who have lieen recognised in Germany.

“ ANOTHER FRONTIER FOR FRANCE " OMINOUS NOTE IN ITALIAN PRESS ROME, January 27. (Received January 28,' at 1 p.m.) The newspapers ominously follow up the fall of Barcelona with the unanimous declaration that Italy has succeeded in establishing another frontier for France. ‘II Tevere ’ says: “Now, thanks to the Italian navy, not a single French ship or soldier will be able to cross the Mediterranean.’' ELOQUENT APPEAL FOR PEACE EMINENT MEN COLLABORATE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. January 27. (Received January 28, at 11 a.m.) An eloquent appeal for peace and cooperation among the nations, over the signatures of nearly a score of public men eminent in diverse fields of activity—literature, education, law, science, finance, medicine, administration, art, music—has been issued to the Press for publication. The signatories are the Marquess of Willingdon, Lord Derby, Lord Dawson of Penn, Lord Horder, Baron Macmillan, Lord Stamp, Mr Montague Norman, the Hon. H. A. L. Fisher, Mr G. M. Trevelyan, Lord Eustace Percy, Sir Michael Sadler, Dr Vaughan Williams. Sir William Bragg, Sir Arthur Eddington, Sir Edwin Lutyens, Sir Kenneth Clark, Mr John Masefield, and Lord Burghley, I