Mr. Duff-Cooper Denounces Pact

Northern Advocate, 4 October 1938, Page 7

Mr. Duff-Cooper Denounces Pact

LONDON, October 3,

Mr Duff-Cooper, who last week resigned from his position as First Lord of the Admiralty, described Herr Hitler’s terms as those which a cruel and revengeful enemy would dictate to a foe beaten after a long fight. He broke down, while the Opposition cheered wildly. Kicking Man When Down.

Continuing, he said that Czechoslovakia should have been spared tho ignominy and horror of invasion, but the Germans, having got a man down, were not to be deprived of kicking him.

Referring to the agreement between Germany and Britain, Mr Duff-Cooper said that for Mr Chamberlain to sign this document, without consulting his colleagues, or reference to our allies, and without communication with the Dominions, was not the way foreign affairs of the Empire should be conducted. Loss of Prestige. We were left with a loss of prestige and a tremendous commitment, as, for the first time in history, we have agreed to defend a frontier in Central Europe. “If we have committed ourselves to maintain this frontier, it is imperative that we should maintain an army of something like Continental proportions. I hope,” he said, “that the Prime Minister is right, but I cannot believe what he believes, and therefore I should only be a hindrance to his Government. Though I m.ay have ruined my political career, I can still walk v/ith my head erect.” Sir Archibald Sinclair, Liberal leader, said the policy which brought them to the edge of war, from which they were only extricated by sacrifices by a small and weak nation, was one of the successive retreats in the face of aggressive dictatorship. Wilted Before Hitler. Mr Chamberlain had wilted before Herr Hitler, and the justice of treaty obligations had gone with the wind.