CHAMBERLAIN POLICY

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 December 1938, Page 7

CHAMBERLAIN POLICY

ADDRESS TO FOREIGN PRESS

FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

[by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

(Recd. December 14, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 13.

Mr. Chamberlain, in his speech at the Foreign Press dinner, described how he faced a situation in which relations with Italy and Germany were rapidly deteriorating. He had come to the conclusion that the only alternatives were to make up their minds that war was inevitable and prepare for it, or a prolonged effort to eradicate the possible causes of war, and try out. the method of personal contact, while pursuing rearmament foi’ defence.

He believed that those who express the opinion that the country should have taken the first course were a small minority. Fie chose the second course. His goal was not only peace, but he had confidence that peace could be maintained, “and as long as I am where I am I will never leave off trying.” Proceeding, he instanced accomplishments, and mentioned the AngloEire, Anglo-Italian, and Munich agreements. The latter was followed by the Anglo-German declaration, and also Anglo-American trade agreement. All were concluded within 12 months. Mr Chamberlain deplored the present tone of the German press, which in one case did not scruple to pour vituperation against our most respected statesman, himself only recently Prime Minister, and in few cases, has shown much desire to understand our viewpoint.” Nevertheless he was convinced that the English and German peoples 'wish nevei again to go to war with one another. Alluding to his visit to Mussolini, he presumed that again some would speculate as to who was the winner or the loser, but that was not the spirit in which he and Lord Halifax were making the journey. Mr Chamberlain denied the suggestion that, because he advocated an understanding with the dictators, he favoured the Nazi or Fascist system. “History teaches that no form of Government ever remains the same. Change may come by slow degrees, or suddenly, like an explosion, but change in one form or another is inevitable* It would seem to follow therefore, that we should be careful not to shut ourselves out from contact with any country, on account of a system which, in the course of time,' may well undergo such modifications as to render it very different from what it is to-day.” Alluding to

BRITISH REARMAMENT

Mr Chamberlain said it wds the British people’s hope that these armaments may never be required. Certainly, they would not be required for aggressive purposes, but none would be more glad than he to welcome a limitation or reduction by international agreement. He continued: “I have recently sustained a certain shock, in seeing myself described as ‘that old man,’ but in one respect, perhaps, the passage of the years has left its mark —in recognition of the futility of ambition, if ambition leads to a desire for domination, for again history teaches that attempts at domination are never long successful, and have never added to the happiness of the nations which attempted it. Past experience has shown that there is an innate resistant force, arising from the fear of loss of liberty, combined with the ever-present passion for national selfexpression, which makes domination difficult and precarious. It is the absence of peace of mind which, today, weighs upon the world, and, by destroying confidence, prevents the reaping of the material advantages of human progress.” “We have obligations not only to our own people at home, but to those throughout the Empire, and to the Allies who are bound to us by treaty. These obligations we must be ready to fulfil. Preparations are now proceeding far enough for us to say with confidence that we are in a position to do so.”

He concluded by appealing to the nations, through the Press, to realise that happiness can only be attained if we cease seeking for points of difference and search instead for points of agreement. He described our relations with France as being so close as to pass beyond mere legal obligations, since they were founded on identity of interests.

GERMAN PROTEST.

(Received December 14, 2 p.m.)

LONDON, December 13

A sensation was caused by the last minute refusal by the German Ambassador, and the German journalists, to attend the Foreign Press Association jubilee dinner, because they objected to Mr. Chamberlain’s reference to the German press (not scrupling to vituperate Earl Baldwin). The speech was issued in advance, and there was comment on the fact that diplomatic action was taken regarding it before delivery. The journalists’ decision not to attend the dinner was conveyed to the committee forty-five minutes before the dinner. There was no message from the Embassy, but the invited officials, including Aschmann, were absent. Very loud and long applause greeted the criticised passage. Mi'. Chamberlain slightly altered the text referring to Earl Baldwin. BERLIN, December 13.

Official circles justify the German action, in view of the “lack of understanding of the German Press, shown by Mr Chamberlain’s speech.”

FRENCH SATISFACTION,

(Received December 14, 2.30 p.m.) PARIS, December 13.

Official circles are most satisfied. The speech is regarded as a valuable opportune reaffirmation of AngloFrench solidarity.

ANGLO-GERMAN CONTACT.

LONDON, December 13

The “Telegraph’s” Berlin correspondent says that Dr. Schacht’s . visit will be particularly devoted to inducing the reception of .lews, under the goods voucher scheme, and trying to convince British industrialists of the desirability of a plan under which i country receiving refugees will import goods to a value equivalent to

vouchers, paying cash value to the Jews. He hopes to prepare the ground for the visit of German industrialists, to discuss details. The correspondent adds that Capt. Wiedemann is going to London at the end of January. Apparently, it is believed that it is time to re-establish direct Anglo-German contact, for which reason Captain Wiedemann is regarded as the most suitable. The subjects for discussion will depend on international developments. BERLIN, December 13. Dr Schacht will leave on December 14, for London, on a private visit to Mr. Montague Norman.

MR. EDEN CRITICISED.

(Recd. Dec. 14, 8 a.m.). LONDON, December 13. Claiming it was not justified, Sir T. Inskip, speaking at Reading, rebuked Mr. Eden for his expression “gathering storm” in his recent New York speech. Sir T. Inskip added: If the storm breaks, as I hope and trust it won’t, we must be ready, but looking forward to a gloomy catastrophe isn’t my mood. Hope, not fear, is the sentiment which should actuate all our activities. The entire Berlin Press abuses Mr. Eden’s speech in New York, describing him as an Oxford dandy and a fashion mannequin.

KINROSS BY-ELECTION.

LONDON, December 13.

An important by-election campaign, in Kinross and West Perthshire, on the foreign policy issue is in tua swing The closing of nomination.. vesterday left a straight fight between the Duchess of Atholl (Independent), and Mr W. McNair Snadden, (Conservntivp) Mr Winston Churchill, in a letter to the Duchess, said: “You are no doubt opposed by many Conservatives as loyal and patriotic as yourself, but the fact remains that outside of our island, your defeat would be relished by the enemies of Britain and of freedom throughout the world.”