Britain Should Take Lead

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 63, 16 March 1938, Page 5

Britain Should Take Lead

DETERIORATED SITUATION CZECHOSLOVAKIA’S POSITION Received Tuesday, 7.5 p.m. LONDON, March 15. The leader of the Opposition, Mr. C. R. Attlee, said that Britain should take the lead in measures to prevent further lawlessness. “If nothing is done you will be forced into a position where a stand must be made,” ho said. “It is only by an appeal for the rule of law that you can rally the Dominions and the United States." Mr. Attlee linked what he called a display of naked force in the events on Friday to a long series of unchecked breaches of international good faith dating from the Japanese action in Manchuria in 1931 resulting a progressive deterioration in the world situation. What was needed to-day, he thought, was not an attempt to bolster up peace by separate bargaining with separate dictators with whom, in his view, you could not deal on the assumptions usually prevailing in an intercourse of States —what was needed was a return to League principles and policies. He expressed the sympathy he believed of all sections of the House with those who might be in peril in Austria —Catholics, Socialists or Jews, or any others who might be in danger of suffering for their beliefs or their past records.

Sir Archibald Sinclair, Liberal leader, expressed the view that British rearmament, though essential, was not enough to ensure peace unless combined with the organisation of collective security. Sir Archibald said that the value of Germany’s assurances to Czechoslovakia must be considered in the light of her assurances to Austria.

“Let us resolve," ne said, “to support France in respect of Czechoslovakia and to draw closer to the United States and not leave Russia out of account. Remember the importance of Poland’s friendship, and base British policy firmly on the Covenant. Czechoslovakia is not next on the list, hut Spain."

Mr. Winston Churchill said that mastery of Vienna gave Germany military and economic control of SouthEastern Europe. She could cut off Czechoslovakian exports and deny her access to natural markets and sources of raw materials and strangle her economic life.

lie added: “The three Little Entente Powers, singly, are second-rankers, but together they constitute a great Power. Rumaniu has oil and Yugoslavia minerals and raw materials, and both have large armies, while the Czechoslovakian« Army is thrice as large as Britain’s. We cannot afford to alienate possible allies. “ If England and France would marshal a number of States in a grand alliance they might even yet arrest war." Mr. Churchill welcomed Mr. Chamberlain ’s affirmation of the rights, interests and duties of Britain in Central Europe. He asked for an early declaration of foreign policy, which would be clear and precise to bo understood for good or ill by all countries and all parties. The gravity of Friday’s events could not be exaggerated. Europe was confronted with a programme of aggression nicely calculated and unfolded stage by stage. The House of Commons would certainly sustain the Government in playing a great part in ail effort to preserve peace | in Europe, and if it could not be pre-

served to preserve the freedom of the nations of Europe.

Mr. Churchill said they could not confine themselves only to renewed efforts at remarmament. The Government should express in the strongest terms its adherence to tho Covenant of the League and resolve to procure by international action tho reign of law in Europe. He agreed entirely with what had been said by the leaders of the two Opposition parties on that subject.

Mr. B-utler, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, replying to the debate, said it was impossible to express how solemnly the Government felt on the subject and the withdrawal of troops from Austria, the position of Catholics, Jews and Socialists and what importance they attached to the representations they made in favour of clemency and toleration. Tho Government had received reports that the German Army would be withdrawn after a certain period when the normal position will be restored. “We have made further representations on the subject of the amalgamation of the Austrian and German forces," he added. He said the Government had received assurances every effort would be used to ensure a sense of moderation in the treatment of Catholics, Jews and Socialists. Britain, while recognising frankly the limitations of the League of Nations, was determined to do all possible to extend the League’s influences. It would be prejudicial to the League’s interests to bring Austria before it.

“The Government does not intend to introduco some form of industrial conscription. Tho Prime Minister has no such intention. What he desired to convey was that, if the Government decided that an intension and acceleration of the air programme was necessary, it would doubtless have to ask employers and employees to accept in the national interest certain inconveniences, perhaps sacrifices," he continued. “All Mr. Chamberlain meant to say was that all concerned should abstain from making difficulties. Large crowds of demonstrators assembled outside the House of Commons, many shouting “Chamberlain must go." [ The police were busy dispersing them until midnight.