Duff Cooper Pillories Hitler and Says His Signature is Worthless

Northern Advocate, 18 March 1939, Page 7

Duff Cooper Pillories Hitler and Says His Signature is Worthless

LONDON, March 16. jtyJR DUFF-COOPER, IN THE lIOUS E OF COMMONS YESTERDAY SAID A HE DOUBTED THE ADVANTAGE OF THE ANGLO-GERMAN NAVAL TREATY.

“Now that that thrice perjured traitor and breaker of oaths is at the head of the German State, I consider that any agreement he signs is not worth the paper on which it is written. No member of the House can. hold a different opinion. “Our naval margin is small, especially as we no longer have the friendship of Japan. A fate even more awful than that of Czechoslovakia would befall Britain if we lost our naval superiority even for a very short period. Weakness In Far East Lieut-Commander R. T. Fletcher (Labour) emphasised the difficulty of covering two hemispheres with 21 capital ships. “British interests in the Far East,” he said, “have gone up in smoke because pressure at home has forbidden us to send out ships. If we had,to fight in two hemispheres it would be necessary to let events go in the Far East. That would mean goodbye to the Dutch East Indies.” Mr Fletcher asked what prospec t there was of the United Kingdom stationing a fleet at Singapore in .an emergency sufficient to safeguard the interests of the eastern hemisphere on the basts of 19 to 21 capital ships. “World Now Understands Nazi-ism” In an editorial article on event a in Europe, “The Times”, states:— “One solitary gain from this miserable business has been that the methods of Nazi-ism are now more clearly than ever revealed in all their ' cunning ruthlessness. “Agents within a State marked down for subjugation are secured from among the German minorities found in every European country, and used to exacerbate local grievances and stir up trouble for the Government; above all, to make careful note among public men of those favourable or unfavourable to the German cause.

“How repugnant to public opinion in all countries is the latest example of Nazi contempt for the decencies of international intercourse is clearly shown by a cursory glance at the world’s press. The feeling is now universal that it is no : longer possible t o place confidence in the word of the Nazi Government.”

Nazi Fury Aroused Mounting fury is evident, and diplomatic consequences are forecast as a result of Mr Duff-Cooper’s perso n .al attack on Herr Hitler in the House of Commons.

It is pointed out that neither the Speaker of the House nor any other member of the Government in tervened, which seems to sanction in officially.