Nelson Evening Mail SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1939 A LEADER IN THE CAUSE OF PEACE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 15 April 1939, Page 6

Nelson Evening Mail SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1939 A LEADER IN THE CAUSE OF PEACE

I I is only natural that more should be known in a British community concerning the career of the Prime Minister of Great Britain than that of the head of the French Government. At a time of world unrest when the two leaders are working in such close collaboration in pursuance of a united foreign policy whose main objective is peace, it is of special interest to place on record some details of the career of the Prime Minister of France, who on Thursday made a statement on the dangerous international situation on the same lines as those followed by Mr Chamberlain in the House of Commons. Ldouard Daladier has been largely instrumental in bringing

about the good understanding which exists between Britain and France. It has been said that if a Frenchman is to succeed ip politics he must be born of humble parentage, must be industrious and studious, must join a political coterie of the Left, give proof of administrative capacity, discriminate between the abilities and weaknesses of colleagues, and wait for the tide of political fortune which will permit the development of aspirations into accomplished facts, and turn ideals into achievements. It is even possible for him to change from the Left to the Right side in politics —and that, it seems, is what Daladier did, and without damaging his political reputation; but in justice to him it is only fair to say that it is possible for him to maintain his political status as an independent politician, and not as the delegate or representative of a faction or parly. That is the i course which has been pursued by

many French statesmen, and j usually with success. Clemenceau belonged to the Left in politics in the days of the Second Empire he had been a scourge of the early conservative Republicans. Briand followed the same path; but the break was not so definite —he used to say that he did not forsake the Socialists, because it was they who threw him out. In the early part of his political career Millerand was a Republican of the reddest type, but he ended by “stealing the thunder” of the Right on many important occasions, instead of using the method of Clemenceau and Briand, which was to use the Right for the purpose of forwarding personal policies, which otherwise might not have become operative. Other French statesmen followed a similar course to a less extent > Pierre Laval was primarily of Communistic tendencies, but after the war he appears to have become orthodox, for he was Prime Minister; and evolving along classical lines, his political future seemed assured, but we read that he grew rich as he traversed the political road, and made enemies among the State’s officials. It has been said that but for these mistakes Laval’s political career would have lost nothing of its brilliance, and that to-day he would be where Daladier is, and that Daladier would probably be Filing a minor political position. But when the time came for radical changes, and it was necessary for some valiant member of the Left to step out of the ranks, join hands with the Right, and so help to form a working partnership, Daladier was the man to play the complex part. He first went to the War Ministry (that was at the end of 1932) and the j military chiefs were full of apprehension, for they imagined that the new-comer would upset the routine to which they were accustomed, and would interfere j with their methods and manner of doing things. In a very short space of time, however, they learned that the man who had served in the ranks of the army, who had been promoted to be a sergeant, and subsequently became a captain—in all he served seven j'ears in the army, four of them the years of the Great War—was an adaptable man, who knew how to introduce innovations without upsetting the balance and energy of those who had been accustomed to established methods. In a few weeks he had gained their confidence, and in a few months generals, marshals, and men were exclaiming, “Lie may be Left, but Daladier is all right.’’ As a boy he delivered bread from house to house; as Minister of War and Premier he has been responsible for the well-being and safety of France. When the weakness of the League of Nations became apparent, Daladier perceived that the fortunes of France and Britain must be united, if their future is to be assured. Nevertheless he went to Munich in a spirit of appeasement, ready to establish a good understanding among the Great Powers. To-day there is evidence that the Dictators have -etained their faith in the law of force, and the spirit exhibited at Munich has* not only evaporated but has been succeeded by a spirit ->f distrust and fear. There is, however, nothing contradictory in f he attitude of Daladier. As Minister of War he may have ordered more and more aeronlanes, abundant ammunition, and comnlete equipment for the army, not for the purpose of making war, but to prevent war. In order to discourage the proponents of war (who seem to dominate Middle Europe) from plunging the Continent into strife, it is necessary for the Western nations to be strong, and M. Daladier is fully aware that if France is to enjoy 1 sense of security and the blessings of peace, they are best attained through the Dictators and their followers being in no doubt of her ability to defend herself. Daladier not only believes in his country being amply prepared, but he believes it is France’s best nterest that she should maintain

'■*e best possible relations with Britain, and at the same time foster friendship with the United States. France, Britain, and America, that is the great peacebloc of the world: also those are the three richest nations of the world, and are territorially immensely great. Furthermore they are the upholders of peace, the advocates of settling international disputes and differences by consultation and agreement. Daladier, Chamberlain, and Roosevelt are in accord in their desire to maintain the peace of the world, and behind them are upwards of two hundred millions of people, while in the Central Powers of Europe

there are one hundred and seven j millions of people. Numbers and i wealth rest with the Western Powers, and moreover they have at their disposal the resources of the world, rendered accessible to : them by the great sea-routes, ! powerful navies and air forces.