EVENTS REVIEWED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 16 March 1939, Page 7

EVENTS REVIEWED

NOT IN ACCORD WITH SPIRIT OF MUNICH MR CHAMBERLAIN’S STATEMENT CROWDED AND EXPECTANT HOUSE (British Official Wirelesul (Received 16th March, 10.35 a.m.) RUGBY, 15lh March. A crowded and expectant House of Commons listened to Mr Chamberlain’s statement on events in Central Europe, in the course of which Mr Chamberlain said that the moral guarantee to Czechoslovakia given last October had lapsed through the disintegration of that country, that the Bank of England had been instructed to suspend any further payments under the credit of £10.000,000 advanced to Czechoslovakia, and that the visit of Mr Oliver Stanley, President of the Board of Trade, and Mr R. S. Hudson, Parliamentary Secretary for Overseas Trade, to Berlin would not take place. Proceeding to consider the policy of the Munich Settlement, Mr Chamberlain said that, having regard to the alternatives open to them at that time, he had no doubt that the course Britain took was right, and he believed it received the approval of the vast majority of world opinion. That settlement, however, had not proved final. Czechoslovakia. to which they hoped to give a more stable future, had disintegrated. That might or might not have been inevitable. “I have so often heard charges of breach of faith bandied about which did not seem to me to be founded on sufficient promises. I do not wish to associate myself to-day with any charges of that character, but I am bound to say that I cannot believe anything of the kind that has now taken place was contemplated by any of the signatories of the Munich Agreement “The Munich Agreement constituted a settlement, accepted by four Powers and Czechoslovakia, of the Czechoslovakia question. It provided for the fixation of future frontiers in Czechoslovakia and laid down the limits of German occupation, which Germany accepted Germany now’, without, as far as I know, any communication with the other three signatories of Munich, has sent its troops beyond the frontier then laid down. Even though it may now be claimed that what has taken place occurred with the acquiescence of Czechoslovakia, I cannot regard the manner and methods by wheih these changes were brought about as in accord with the spirit of Munich. “There is a further point I cannot omit to mention." said the Prime Minister. “Hitherto the German Government, in extending the area of its military control, has defended its action by the contention that it was only incorporating in the Reich neighbouring masses of people of German race. Now, for the first time it is effecting military occupation of a territory inhabited by people with whom it has no racial connection. SHOCK TO CONFIDENCE In conclusion, Mr Chamberlain declared that the events he had described to the House could not fail to cause a disturbance to the international situation and administer a shock to the confidence which, he said, was beginning to revive. The Prime Minister recalled his appeal at Birmingham at the end of January for a contribution by others to the search for peace which was the aim of his Government, and said that it was natural that he should bitterly regret what had now occurred. ‘ But.” said Mr Chamberlain, finally, “do not let us on that account be deflected from our course. Let us remember that the desire of all the people s of the world still remains concentrated on hopes of peace and of a return tc an atmosphere of understanding and goodwill, which have so often been disturbed. The aim of this Government is now, as it always has been, to promote that desire and to substitute the method of discussion for the method of force in the settlement of differences Though we may have to suffer checks and disappointments from time to time, the object we have in mind is of too great a significance to the happiness of mankind for us lo lightly give it up or set it on one side.” The Prime Minister moved the adjournment of the House of Commons to allow a full-dress debate on the Central European situation. IN HOUSE OF LORDS In the House of Lords, Lord Halifax made a statement in generally similar terms to that made by Mr Chamberlain. He deplored the shock to confidence. because of the revival which had been taking place was beginning to offer prospect of concrete measures which would have been of general benefit. Unless, he said, “there is some material change in (he situation there would inevitably have to be a postponement of these measures.”

DEBATE OPENED

LABOUR CRITICISM OF prime MINISTER NO SECURITY LEFT IN EUROPE (Received 16th March, 12.25 p.m ) RUGBY, 15th March. Mi Grenfell (Labour) opening the debate in the House of Commons commented with amazement on what he called the sense of splendid isolation and detachment of Mr Chamberlain’s statement on a situation charged with emotion. This icident, he held,' was simply one of a sequence of crises to which Europe had been treated and which would be repeated on suitable occasions for some time to come, because Britain had not been seized with the real significance of events in the last few years in Europe. He agreed that litle could have been done since Munich, but he charged the Government with failure to cope with the situation before Munich. He said Ministers had stated last October that under the Munich Agreement Czechoslovakia would enjoy greater security than before, and ho asserted that Mr Chamberlain’s credulity passed all understanding. The fact was they were now entering upon a period fraught with immediate and terrible dangers to all. There was no security left in Europe. Smaller nations were in a state of apprehension and fear, and even large nations were not free from it. Ho asked the Government to seek before it was too late an assembly for a cooperative effort by the pbace-loving forces of Europe and the world. i<

Sir Archibald Sinclair, leader of the Liberal Opposition, thought the method of agrgession employed by Herr Hitler’s Government in Czechoslovakia would almost certainly be used again elsewhere, and he, too, appealed to Mr

Chamberlain to gather like-minded nations under British leadership in defence of the principles of law in international relations. HOPES SHATTERED Mr O. R. Grenfell (Labour) Col. T. Sinclair (Con.), and Mr Anthony Eden (Con.), who spoke next, all urged upon the Government the necessity for rapid action to safeguard the position of refugees in Czechoslovakia. Mr Eden elicited from Mr Chamberlain the intimation that there was no intention to cancel the rest of Mr Hudson’s tour to northern capitals. Proceeding. Mr Eden said the hopes which some had been able to repose last October in the results of Munich had been falsified, and no one now could doubt there would be only a brief respite before further demands were made and another victim arraigned, which, like its predecessors, would be confronted with the alternatives of resistance or surrender. What they saw in the world to-day was the rapid deterioration of international authority. He was convinced that if these methods were allowed to continue unchecked they wou'd all be involved in a universal tragedy Mr Eden concluded with a fervid appeal for co-operation of parties in convincing the world --f the strength of the nr tion and its determination to make an effort without parallel in : ts history. Mr Eden said that such a Government of all parties would have to cxaminine the new military and strategic position and consult with all like-mind-ed nations wherever they be and whatever they be. on what their common policy should be—where they should take their stand and how they should give effect to their decision. The debate was continued by backbenchers. when speakers on both sides of the House dwelt on the need for closer relations with Russia Sir John Simon. Chancellor of the Exchequer, replied for the Government.

DEEPLY SHOCKED

LONDON PUBLIC OPINION I British Official Wireless 1 (Received 16th March. 12.35 p.m.) RUGBY. 15th March. Public opinion in London has been deeply shocked by developments in Central Europe, and the news of the German entry into Prague increased the feelings of anxiety and resentment.

CZECH CABINET RESIGNS

NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO BE FORMED (Received 16th March. 1.30 p.m.) PRAGUE. 15th March. The Czech Cabinet has resigned. General Gajda was made “Fuhrer of the Czech people." and issued a proclamation announcing the formation of a Czech National Committee, and urging unity and quiet.