“WE OR THEY?”

Evening Star, Issue 23292, 14 June 1939, Page 7

“WE OR THEY?”

DEMOCRACIES MUST STAND FIRM “ Mussolini, like Hitler, understands only one land of argument-firm-ness, with adequate strength behind it. It is true that the Italian people and the German people do not want war. Mussolini knows it; Hitler knows it,’* writes Mr .Wickman Steed in the ‘ Con* temporary Review.’ “ But it is true that the German and the Italian peoples will have no say in the matter if Hitler and Mussolini push their threats to the point of war Neither the Italian nor the German people has any real dislike of ‘ peaceful ’ concessions extorted from us or France by threat of war; and every such concession rivets Mussolini’s and Hitler’s hold upon their respective countries. “ The only way to save those countries, and our own, from war is, I am convinced, forthwith to show that} we will yield nothing, nor will we advise France to yield anything, to threat of war; and that we take our stand not on the defence of this or that territory or strategic position, but on principle which we have so long trampled underfoot—that until lawless violence ceases, to he the rule in international affairs, those who. follow this rule, and spurn both human right aud democi'atic freedom, muse reckon with our unflinching resistance,“With the rule of violence we can, not compromise, nor can we makh fear—masquerading as prudence or ‘ appeasement ’ —our counsellor .when we are bidden to ‘ stand and deliver ’ colonies or anything else.. Otherwise wo shalT merit all the evil that will come upon os. Bat wo need to ba quite clear in our minds that in withstanding the rule of violence and armed ruenance we shall be challenging tha very existence of the totalitarian systems “ They know and can live by no other rule The issue is: ‘We or They?’■ The peoples they oppress hope in their heart of hearts that it will be ‘ We,’ tor then those peoples might begin again to breathe tlxe air of freedom.”