MR CHAMBERLAIN'S SPEECH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 31 January 1939, Page 5

MR CHAMBERLAIN'S SPEECH

LONDON PRESS OPINION REACTIONS IN FOREIGN CAPITALS ‘ » —By Electric Telegraph—Cop?right! (Received 31st January. 9.0 a.m.) LONDON. 30th January. Press comment in Europe’s capitals on Mr Chamberlain’s speech yesterday, ip which he defined Britain’s motto as "Not deference nor defiance, but defence,” is mostly favourable In this country the majority of the London newspapers received enthusiastically the Prime Minister’s statement regarding the big increase in British armaments and his reference to the democracies resisting force.

“The Times.” in a leader, says that Mr Chamberlain might have been considerably less modest. He had discharged Britain's share of the general obligations in pursuit of peace and he had every right to remind the other signatories of the Munich Agreement of the necessity of a peace contribution from them.

The “News Chronicle.” in a leader, says that the masterpiece of ingenuity in the speech was that Mr Chamberlain spoke for an hour without mentioning Spain. There was no word of warning to dictators or enlightenment Of the British Deople. The paper adds: “A warmer tone and a firmer declaration of Anglo-French solidarity would have been welcome and useful to both countries.” French newspaper commentators, though praising the speech, see little hope of its affecting the international situation, except insofar as it may calm extreme nervousness, but it is pointed out that the coming crisis is not like that of last September because British end French interests are now directly threatened. There is some criticism of Mr Chamberlain’s continued anxiety not to hurt the feelings of the dictators. A brief summary of the speech is A brief summary of the speech is published in German newspapers. Comment is restrained. Mr Chamberlain’s pursuit of his own foreign policy, despite opposition, is welcomed. All newspapers emphasise that peace must be based on right and justice among equal nations. Signor Gayda. who generally expresses Signor Mussolini’s own views in the Press, says that the speech is clear and honest, and that Mr Chamberlain’s goodwill is readily recognisable. Italy has nothing to ask of Britain except an understanding of vital problems not affecting Britain herself. Nothing ought to divide the two countries, provided the British Government keeps at a distance mischievous internal forces and pressure from other Powers opposirg Italian and German rights.