Positive Policy Of Peace

Northern Advocate, 29 August 1938, Page 7

Positive Policy Of Peace

(Received noon.) RUGBY, August 27. The international situation has given the British Cabinet no respite, said Sir John Simon, Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his speech at Lanark. He defined the general policy of the Government in foreign affairs as a positive policy of peace. An Anxious Year It had been a year of great anxiety and difficulty, said Sir John, and in nothing had Mr. Chamberlain’s leadership been more marked than in the resolute and positive efforts he and the Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, had made to reduce tension andi promote appeasement.

For his part, said Sir John Simon, he would repudiate altogether the attitude which was tempted to say war was inevitable. He wou]fl rather proclaim the view that if all nations alike would do their utmost to remove causes that might lead to war, and would try to meet in a fair spirit difficulties from whatever quarter , they came, war was never inevitable. Advice to Britons There were great countries in. Europe, with a system of Government very different from the British, which no one of his hearers, brought up in the traditions of Parliamentary democracy, would accept for themselves; but tkat was no reason why Britain should conduct her. foreign policy as if friendship were impossible with these States of widely different political systems. With reference to the ideal of peace and the position of the League -of Nations, Sir John Simon said: “All the efforts of Britain have been directed in strengthening the foundation of peace,* and the adoption of argument and reason in the settlement' cf international differences. For we are convinced that true solutions cannot. be found by use of violent measures.

Where Would It End? “Apart from the loss, suffering and death which accompany such measures, their adoption in any good instance may easily have repercussions which might in certain circumstances involve others besides the parties at first concerned. Once this process has begun, who can say where it will end? .... f Basis of the League “It was the realisation of this that led to the adoption of the ideals and principles forming the basis of the League, and it has been a matter of profound regret to Britain that the absence of a number of important nations has so gravely weakened the League. If, however, as an instrument, it has been found on occasions not capable of bearing the strain imposed upon it, that does not mean we should abandon its principles. “I believe that just as the people of this country have a deep and abiding love of peace and a corresponding hatred of war, so have the people of all other nations,” concluded Sir John. “I believe that everywhere the man in the street desires to lead his life in an atmosphere of quietude and security, looking forward to the enjoyment for himself and his children of the good things of life, and hating and dreading the awful consequences which modern wars brings upon all alike.”