OPINION OF PUBLIC

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 19 April 1939, Page 7

OPINION OF PUBLIC

INFLUENCE ON MOVES 1 DISTRUST OF DICTATORS UNEASINESS IN BRITAIN LONDON. 13th April. The swiftness and finality with which public opinion has influenced the recent diplomatic moves is one of the most important and interesting features of the latest phase of the European crisis. Wildly speculating newspapers have completely under-estimated this factor.

To anyone listening to street, cafe or bus convert.ations for days past, it was evident that opposition to renewing (rust in the dictators had become deeprooted. even among those who are usually not the most critical sections. Typical comments are: “Where are we. going?” -We can’t keep on giving in. Mr Camberlain is being fooled.” It is likely that the Cabinet has also been informed of the possible repercussions of opinion in France, where, according to the Paris correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” there is an undercurrent of fear lest Mr Chamberlain may again be outmanoeuvred. 7he man-in-the-street sees French policy as “a cart firm'y attached to the British horse,” and he is, therefore, anxious to know whether the horse is going in the right direction. The French diplomatic commentator, Pertinax. writing in “L’Ordre,” comments: “Mr Chamberlain is shilly-shal-lying and hesitating while the days pass. His decision can be efficacious only through naval movement.” Members of the House of Commons have apparently had their ears closer to the ground than the newspapers, hence the result of the inquiry through the Government Whips to ascertain public opinion and also opinion among members of Parliament.