CHAMBERLAIN’S SPEECH

Grey River Argus, 25 August 1939, Page 7

CHAMBERLAIN’S SPEECH

GERMANY READY Soviet’s “Bombshell” BRITAIN AND FRANCE KEPT IN DARK FAust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l (Received Aug. 25, 2.50 a.m.) LONDON, August 24. The House of Commons met to-day for the special session. In his speeclh Mr Chamberlain said: Tlhe country is faced with the imminent peril of war. It has been necessary to summon Parliament and to take such new drastic steps as the gravity of the situation requires. There have been German complaints as to Polish atrocities. These have strongly resembled the German charges last year against the Czechs. The Polish statesmen have shown great calm and self-restraint. Germany is now in a condition of complete readiness for war. At the beginning of this week the Germans began to move troops to the Polish frontier. It become apparent that a crisis of the first magnitude was approaching, to meet which it has become necessary to seek emergency powers from Parliament. The British and French military missions which went to Moscow were received there in the friendliest manner. Their discussions were progressing on a basis of mutual trust, when a bombshell —the conclusion of a pact of non-aggression between Russia and Germany—was flung down. This pact came to us as the most unpleasant surprise. There had been rumours of an impending change in German-Russian relations, but no inkling of that was conveyed by the Soviet. There has been effected an increase in the bank rate. This is a normal protective measure. It is to protect our resources in this period of uncertainty. The public can best co-operate by decreasing their demands for foreign exchange, and by not sending any capital out of the country. In view of Berlin's attitude, the Government has felt it to be the duty not to leave any possible loophole for a misunderstanding. Therefore our Ambassador, Sir R. Henderson, handed to Herr Hitler a message from me, on behalf of the Ministry, stating again our position. War between these two countries would be one of the greatest calamities that could occur.”

Herr Hitler will speak at Tannenburg at 11 a.m. on August 27. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain reports that Herr Hitler yesterday despatched couriers to most of the Governments in Europe! setting out Germany's position in relation to the Danzig Corridor.

London Masks Lights WAR OFFICE CALL ON BUSES. (Received Aug. 24, 11.55 p.m.) (Independent Cable) LONDON, August 24. Hundreds of Londoners had difficulty in getting home last night. This was because large numbers of buses were held at their depots at the request of the War Office. The West End was in a sinisterly dark state. The departmental stores in the fashionable Regent Street and Oxford Street extinguished their lights. In the city, the all-night restaurants transferred their business to their basements. The shopkeepers and householders have been instructed to make arrangements to mask their lights. BRITISH CABINET SPECIAL MEETING (Received Aug. 24, Midnight) LONDON, August 24. The Associated Press is sending out urgent reports of a statement by Mr Chamberlain on the main points of the situation soon after 3 o’clock this afternoon. The Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, will give a broadcast and he is expected to mplify what Sir R. Henderson (British Ambassador) told Herr Hitler. A special meeting of the Cabinet has been summoned for 11.45 a.m. G.M.T.

KING HOLDS PRIVY COUNCIL (Received Aug. 25, 2.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 24. His Majesty the King arrived at the Palace. Without any ceremony he „held a Privy Council at 10 a.m. when Sir W. Hudson, Mr Burgin and Lord Runciman and Lord Lucan attended. From there the King received reports on the situation. CHAMBERLAIN VISITS KING. LONDON, August 24. (Received Aug. 25, 2.40 a.m.) A special meeting of Cabinet is being held at 12.45 p.m. Mr Chamberlain visited the Palace after the Privy Council and he gave the King a detailed report on developments.

Stocks Slump IN BRITAIN AND NORTH AMERICA. LONDON, August 23. On the Stock Exchange, a cautious atmsophere prevails. There are few transactions, and the general tendency is weaker.' Gilt-edgeds are further marked down. Bonds in New York continued to decline. United States steel is down* two cents for a new 1939 low level, and the industrial average has fallen off 3.25 points. Gold losses in Toronto amounted to 20 cents. ' The increasing tension abroad sent stocks down to-day in the United States on the worst break since April 8. Grains soared, while corn is up three cents. Wheat,reached a five cent, limit at Winnipeg, <and the American market Ijfted three cents.