EMERGENCY POWERS NEEDED

Evening Star, Issue 23354, 25 August 1939, Page 9

EMERGENCY POWERS NEEDED

WHY PARLIAMENT WAS SUMMONED MR CHAMBERLAIN SPEAKS IN COMMONS LONDON, August 24, (Received August 25, at 8 a.m.) In the House of Commons Mr Chamberlain said the country faced the imminent peril of war, and it had been necessary to summon Parliament to take such new and drastic steps as the gravity of the situation required. The German complaints about Polish atrocities strongly resembled last year’s charges against the Czechs. The Polish statement hadl shown great’ calm and self-restraint. Germany was now in a condition of complete readiness for war. The Germans at the beginning of the week began to move troops to the Polish frontier, and it became apparent that a crisis of the first magnitude was approaching, for which it was necessary to seek ' emergency powers. The Anglo-French Military Missions had been received in friendly fashion in Moscow, and the discussions were progressing on a basis of mutual trust when the bombshell of the Russo-Ger-man non-aggression pact was flung down. It came to Britain as an unpleasant surprise. These had been rumours of an impending change in German and Russian relations, bat no inkling of it was conveyed by tho Soviet. . INCREASE IN BANK RATE. The increase in the bank rate was al normal protective measure to protect resources over a period of uncertainty* The public could best co-operate by decreasing demands for foreign exchange* and not sending capital out of the country. In view of Berlin’s attitude, the Government felt that it was its duty; not to leave a possible loophole for misunderstanding, for which reason Sir Nevile Hendterson handed to Herr Hitler a message from him (Mr Chamberlain) on behalf of the Ministry, restating Britain’s position. War between the two countries would be one of the greatest calamities that could occur, GERMAN VIEW OF SPEECH PEACEFUL SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS NOW IMPOSSIBLE BERLIN. August 24. (Received August 25, at 10.5 a.m.)’ The Official German News Agency states that Polish ,forces at war strength have encircled Danzig. The danger of an imminent coup d’etat is great. Mr Chamberlain’s speech has increased the tension and caused hope to fade that European problems can be solved bloodlessly. SPECIAL RESOLUTION PASSED LONDON, August 24. (Received August 25, at 10 a.m.) In the House of Commons a resolution empowering the Government to pass all stages of the Emergency Powers Bill in tho same day was carried by 457 votes to 4. NO PRESS CENSORSHIP MEANWHILE

LONDON, August 24. (Received August 25, at 10 a.m.) Sir Samuel Hoare, in a statement, said: “ The Government does not propose to issue regulations in the course of a few days unless .the situation is very much worse. Ther§ will be uo Press censorship or suppression of public opinion until the country is involved in hostilities. The Emergency, Powers Defence Bill will not interfere with Labour disputes. The powers which the Government seeks will be 10 times more extensive than in 1914, because of the air warfare.” BILL RECEIVES ROYAL ASSENT BOTH HOUSES ADJOURN LONDON, August 24. (Received August 25, at 11 a.m.) The Emergency Powers Bill has re* ceived Royal Assent. Both Houses adjourned until Augusij 31. Mr Chamberlain requested member* to remain in readiness for a further call at the shortest notice, which U most likely. BALTIC STATES NEUTRALITY REGARDED AS STRENGTHENED TALLINN (Estonia), August 24. (Received August 25, at 11 a.m.) The Russo-German pact has considerably relieved Latvia, Lithuania, andi Estonia, who regard their neutrality as being strengthened because it is notj believed that Russia and Germany trust each other in the Baltic. The general question of guaranteeing the Baltio States is regarded as dead. NEW SOUTH WALES STOPS MILITARY LEAVE SYDNEY, August 25. (Received August 25, at 11 a.m.) The ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ says all military leave at every garrison artillery station in New South Wales has been suspended until further notice by special order.