REAL PEACE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 209, 2 August 1940, Page 2

REAL PEACE

BRITAIN’S OBJECTIVE

STAMPING OUT TYRANNY. (United Press Association —By Electri» Telegraph— Copyright. ) (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 31. Answering suggestions in Hitler s recent speech that Britain had insisted on prolonging an unnecessary struggle, the Secretary .for India (Mr L. S. Amery), in a speech, said Hitler’s own nature, the system and spirit which he had created, had known no other aim or purpose than war for the sake of power and power for the sake of more war.

“Like Napoleon before him he is driven on from aggression to aggression, from conquest to conquest, till the irresistible and stubborn will of a free people brings him to an inevitable crash,” said Mr Amery. “Till his power is broken there can be no true peace for us, no security for all we prize, for our freedom, for our very lives. “In that sense we are fighting for ourselves. But we’ are not fighting for ourselves alone. Our cause is that of all nations great or small that are threatened or have already been overwhelmed by brute force and lawless aggression. We are fighting for peace, not an ignominious peace which allows the aggressor to have his way unhindered till he is ready for the next attack but a time and lasting peace based on justice and fair dealing among nations. WHY WE FIGHT.

"That has been our aim from first to last. It was the honest aim of every British Government in the years before the war. It was the aim that made us take no arms against Germany’s wanton attack on Poland. It is the aim which we shall keep in sight to tho end of the struggle and it is no less important after victory has been won. “We are fighting to secure a true peace for Europe as well as for ouiselves. The peace that Hitler would give Europe is the peace of the desert. Where the Nazis ruje ; liee political and religious activity is ruthlessly cut down. The living springs of free human thought are choked. The peace we seek for Europe is the peace not of the desert and death but of life with its rich and infinite diversity. “To make detailed plans t°-day ior the luture of Europe is a waste or time. Victory must como firsts But we can at any rate keep in our own hands and convey to the world outside the spirit that, sustains us in the fight and the watchwords that embody our purpose. TRAGEDY OF FRANCE. “Till the other day there were three words set like jewels in the coionet of France whose rays had sent forth their message to the world for over 150 years: ‘Liberty, equality, fraternity.’ They have been dropped in the gutter by the nerveless hands into which for a tragic interlude have fallen the destinies of the nation i\liich| lias been for so long, and will, I trust, | be again, the soul and inspiration of j Europe. It is for us to hold up those j words once again as a torch not lor, France alone, but for all Europe and j for the world. . \ “Let us revive them, but in a wider | sense than that of the relations of individuals within a community. ihe.y | apply no less to the rights ot muion-j ties, the rights of language and cul-! ture, and of religious or political faith. They apply to the rights or 11a- , •tions great or small, in their to each other. ' “We too, aim at a united Europe as the solution of the rivalries and conflicts of the past. But it is a Europe united not by terror, but in a free and equal partnership, not a Europe exploited and slave-driven by a barbarian conqueror as an instrument tor fresh conquests beyond, but a Europe prosperous in mutual co-operation a free commonwealth held together like our own by common interests and by the common aim of peace and happiness for all members. VISION OF FUTURE.

"Within its borders, too, as also here at home, we look to something more than the cessation of international conflict. We look to true social peace, to a better world at home and abroad where there may be more real economic freedom, more opportunity and more security for all.” Mr Amery continued that the criticism might be voiced that it was asking too much of Britain single-handed to restore the freedom of Europe. "But are we standing alone to-day ?” he asked. "Canada is with us. Australia is with us. South Africa and New Zealand are with us. India, too, is witn .us. Despite their political differences, her people are united in their detestation of the Nazi creed, and from every quarter and from every community in India there come most generous offers of help, while her forces are being increased as rapidly as the necessaiy provision of modern equipment wall allow. There is not a corner of the Empire, however remote, not a community or tribe, however small or poor, which'has not made a contribution in money or effort to the common cause. EMPIRE SUPPORT.

"Men from the outer Empire have already played their part in every theatre of war. It was the New Zealand cruiser Achilles that took so memorable a share in that glorious encounter of the River Plate. It was the Australian cruiser Sydney whose accurate gunnery knocked put a more powerful and faster Italian cruiser; South African airmen are harassing the Italians day in and day out in Abyssinia. In all the fighting over Norway and Elanders and over our own shores Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and South African airmen have played a conspicuous part, and there are thousands more to come. At this moment contingents from every Dominion and from India are here ready to do their bit guarding the heart of the Empire. • “In the background, with us in thought and feeling, though not directly engaged in the conflict, stands America. We do not ask her to fight our battle, even if we may think that in a sense it is her battle, too. If blood be the price of liberty, we are prepar!ed to pav in our own way. But we I know that' 1 America, if not belligerent, Jis something more than a cold, disinI terested spectator. We look to her to I allow us to draw upon her amazing resources of skill and energy to supplement our material deficiencies, and we shall not look in vain. "I have snoken as if wc had only one enemy, Hitler, but I must not forget his accomplice and henchman, the ■cabin-boy in the pirate ship. _ ‘Mussolini. He took care onlv'to ioin in the ; 1 battle when he thought all was over i bar the shouting and the. share-out. | But it is not all over, it is only just beginning, and I venture to think that . if he was the last to join in lie will he ; the first to wish to get out—if Hitler : allows it—aud that when it comes to sharing out he may find himself in the position not of a recipient but of a contributor. He has offerod great Tiost- ; ages to fortune in Abyssinia, in Libya, and elsewhere. Whatever initial advanI

tages he may gain, whatever prizes he may get into his hand for a while, in the end he will have to forfeit all ha takes.’!