Mr. Chamberlain Does Not Regard Hitler As Seeker After War

Northern Advocate, 1 February 1939, Page 8

Mr. Chamberlain Does Not Regard Hitler As Seeker After War

(Received 3 p.m.)

RUGBY, January 31. »J*HE HOUSE OF COMMONS WAS CROWDED TODAY ON THE RE-

ASSEMBLY AFTER CHRISTMAS IN ANTICIPATION OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS DEBATE, WHICH WAS OPENED BY MR C. R. ATTLEE IMMEDIATELY AFTER QUESTIONS. THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE GALLERIES WERE FULL, AND THERE WAS A LARGE ATTENDANCE OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.

The speech by Mr Chamberlain, who replied at once to Mr’ Attlee, was notable for the declaration that the policy of appeasement was steadily succeeding, and for his references to Herr Hitler’s speech.

As to the progress of appeasement, the Rome visit had strengthened the feelings of friendship between Italy ' and Britain, while relations with France were never more intimate or cordial. The British Government had seen with the greatest satisfaction the recent Franco-German declaration, and how exaggerated fears and prophecies , published in sections of the press in advance of Herr Hitler’s speech had been belied in events. Hitler’s Speech Eulogised. Regarding the speech, Mr Chamberlain said: “It was a long speech. It touched a great many topics, and covered a wide field. I do not pretend that I have had time to examine with care every phrase in it, but I can say this. I have very definitely got the impression that it was not a speech of a man who was preparing to throw Europe into another crisis. “It seems'to me that there were many passages in the speech which indicated the necessity for peace for Germany as well as for other countries. We all have our domestic problems, our economic of financial problems, or unemployment fn one country and other problems in other- countries. None of us could be unsympathetic to : the idea that the statesmen of various' countries should devote themselves for '; a time to improvement of conditions of their own people.” Mutual Confidence. This reference to Herr Hitler’s Speech had been preceded by another " in an answer which the Prime Minister gave at question time, and in which he said: “I welcome the passages in Herr Hitler’s speech* regarding his desire for mutual confidence and co-operation between our two peoples, and I should like to take this opportunity to repeat that these sentiments are fully shared by the British Government and by the people of this .country.

British prestige never before stood as high as it did today, and never before had the friendship of Britain been so sought after. Basis of Misunderstanding; - ' In conclusion, Mr Chamberlain said that while he believed there were no questions between Rations, however serious, which could not be settled by discussion, he must add a qualification that it was no use to embark on discussion for settlement of differences,, satisfaction of aspirations land removal of grievances unless the atmosphere was favourable, and unless those who undertook them were convinced that those who sit Ground the table wanted a peaceful settlement and had no sinister ideas at the back of their minds.

“No negotiations are at present conteprplated with the German Government, but the British Government has been glad to observe the discussions on various industrial matters that have Recently taken place between reprea sehtatives of industry in both coun- - tries.” Spanish War Discussed. The Prime Minister began his speech by replying to Mr Attlee’s demand for restoration to the Spanish Government of the right to buy arms. He said he was quite satisfied the policy of non-intervention had been right all along, and now was not ‘the time to change it, because, while he - did not consider the situation in Spain -was at this moment a menace to the peace of Europe, he did most emphatically consider that if interventook place now, on any conv siderabje scale, that it would be a to European peace by in- ; evitably leading to an extension of the conflict in Europe. ' ' The British Governmenf'would not reverse its policy of non-intervention. Italian Promises Referring to the suggestion made by Mr. Attlee that General Franco’s victory might be' a strategic threat to Britain, Mr. Chamberlain twitted him for disbelieving the assurances given by- Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler,

and reminded him that only the other day in Rome Viscount Halifax and himself had received fresh and repeated assurances that Signor Mussolini and Count Ciano had nothing to seek from Spain once the civil war was over, and that a similar assurance had been given by Herr Hitler.

Regarding the sufferings of Spanish refugees, Mr. Chamberlain said the British Government had done, and would continue to do, what it could to help. He hoped it would be possible to obtain from General Franco immunity for neutral safety zones, for women and children and injured, which the French Government was, he understood, to arrange with the Spanish Government. Exaggeration and Fright. Accusing the Opposition of taking the worst possible view of the motives and intentions of the leaders of totalitarian States and frightening them- ; selves by feeding their imagination on improbable hypotheses as well as exaggerated deficiencies in British strength, Mr Chamberlain declared that the Government’s rearmaments efforts were now beginning to result in enormous and even more rapidly increasing additions to the armed strength of Britain,