Disappointed and Indignant, P.M. Strikes Defiant Note

Northern Advocate, 18 March 1939, Page 7

Disappointed and Indignant, P.M. Strikes Defiant Note

Mr. Chamberlain is. Heroic Figure on Memorable Occasion

(Received 2 p.m.)

LONDON, March 17. jjR NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN, PRIME MINISTER, IN A SPEECH AT

BIRMINGHAM, SAID: “THE EVENTS OF THIS WEEK, IN COMPLETE DISREGARD OF THE PR! NCTPLES LAID DOWN BY THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT ITSELF, SEE M TO FALL INTO A DIFFERENT CATEGORY FROM THE METHODS ADOPTED IN THE RHINELAND, AUSTRIA AND SUDETENLAND.” “They must cause all to ask ourselves if this is the end of an old adventure, or the beginning of a new. “Is this the last attack upon a small State, or will it be followed by others? “Is this a step in the direction of ,an attempt to dominate the world by force ? “Those are grave questions \am not going to answer them tonight, but I am sure they will require grave and serious consideration, not only by Germany’s neighbours but by others, perhaps even beyond the confines of Europe. “Already there are indications that the process has begun, and it is obyious it is likely now to be speed ed up.

“We ourselves will naturally turn first to our own partners in the British Commonwealth (cheers) and France (cheers), to whom we are so closely bound.

“I have no doubt that others, kno wing we are not disinterested in what

goes on in south-eastern Europe, wi

11 wish to have our counsel and advise

“In our own country we must alh review the position with that sense of responsibility which its gravity demands.

“Nothing must be excluded from that review which bears on national safety.

“Every aspect of national life must be looked at again from that angle.

No Surrender of Liberty,

‘I don’t believe that anyone will question my sincerity when I say there is hardly anything I Would not sacrifice for peace (cheers), but there is one thing 1 must respect, and that is the liberty we have enjoyed for hunof years, and which we will never. surrender. (Cheers.)

“That I, of all men, should feel called upon to make such a declaration is

the measure to which the extent of

these events has shattered the con- '•■■■ hdence which was just beginning to show its head, and which, if allowed / to grow, might have made this year memorable for the return of fall - Eu- . . rope to sanity and stability.

An Incredible Challenge. “With the lessons of history for all ■ to read, it seems incredible that we should see a challenge to dominate the world by force. '• “I feel bound to repeat that, while - "I am not prepared to engage this • ■ country by pew and unspecified com- ■ rnitments operating under conditions which cannot now be forseen yet no

greater mistake could be made than •'"to suppose that because it believes war senseless and cruel, this nation has so lost its fibre that it will not take - its part to the utmost of its power to resist such a challenge, if it is ever made.” (prolonged cheers).

World Opinion’s Worst Shock.

Mr Chamberlain earlier declared that public opinion all over the world this week received a sharper shock than was ever, administered to it, even under the present regime of Germany. What might be the ultimate effect of this profound disturbance of men’s minds could not yet be foretold, but hp was sure it must be far-reaching. Appeasement Foundation.

After defending his visit to Germany as being completely necessary in order to save peace at that time, Mr Chamberlain declared that if the appeasements there sought were to succeed it was essential that no Power should seek to obtain general domination in Europe, and that each should be contented to obtain reasonable facilities for developing its own resources, securing its own share of international trade and improving the conditions of its people. Although that might mean a clash of interest, il was felt that the difficulties could be resolved by discussion. What of Assurances? Mr Chamberlain recalled Herr Hitler’s specific declarations that he had no further territorial ambitions in Europe, and no desire to incorporate the Czechs in the Reich.

Mr Chamberlain asked what had become of these assurances. What regard had been paid to the principle of self-determination which Herr Hitler so vehemently argued at Berchtesgaden? “Now we are told this seizure was necessitated by disturbances in Czechoslovakia, and disoi’ders threatening the peace and security of her mighty neighbour. An Absurd Claim, “If there were disturbances, were they not fomented from without? (Prolonged cheers). “Can anybody outside Germany take seriously the idea, that the disturbances could be a danger to that great country .or provide justification for what happened? “Does the question not inevitably remain in our minds that if it is so easy to discover a good reason for ignoring assurances so solemnly and repeatedly given, what reliance is able to be placed upon other assurances from the same source? (Cheers.) “I share the disappointment and indignation of the great majority of

** British people that hopes raised have been so wantonly shattered. “How can this week’s event be reconciled with those assurances? Why Not Consulted? “Surely, as a joint signatory at Munich, I am entitled, even if Herr Hitler thought it should not be done, to have been consulted as provided in the agreement. (Cheers). “Instead, he took the law into his own hands.” Mr Chamberlain was cheered for some minutes at the conclusion. No Need to be Downhearted. Responding to a vote of thanks, he declared: “We need not be downhearted. This great nation is far more powerful than it was even six months ago. Acts of violence and injustice bring forth sooner or later their own reward. Every one of these incursions raises fresh dangers for Germany in the future. I venture to prophesy that in the end she will bitterly regret what her Government has done.” “Unfortunate” Misunderstanding (Independent Cable Service.) (Received 2.30 p.m.) BRATISLAVA, March 17. The Chief of Propaganda, Herr Mach, stated that the first announcement of the text of the telegrams exchanged between Herr Hitler and' Dr, ,Tiso contained an unfortunate misunderstanding. While one version stated that Czechoslovakia' had asked for German protection,, another spoke about a protectorate. There was no question of Dr. Tiso asking Herr Hitler to turn Slovakia into a German protectorate. He had merely asked the Fuehrer to protect the frontiers of the new State. The messages referred to were as follows:—