Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1939 BRITAIN’S POLICY FOR PEACE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 13 June 1939, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1939 BRITAIN’S POLICY FOR PEACE

MR CHAMBERLAIN’S recent speeches indicate clearly that the British Government’s policies are peaceful and ameliorative, however provocative the foreign policies of other Governments may be. Ihe British Prime Minister said that his policy is “to find out the possible causes of war, and to try to remove them.*’ He had said previously that it was the firm desire of the British Government that the British and German nations “should never go to war with one another again,’’ and' that they should avoid unbridled competition. But he concluded by saying that “he regretted that

declarations, whether official or otherwise, should be made in Germany, which do nothing to assist in creating such an atmosphere, as would create good feeling, and strengthen peace. At the same time Mr Chamberlain, I the British Government and people, no less than the Government ! ar, d people of France, are determined to make whatever contribution is necessary to uphold their way of life, and defend their position in the world.” Though these words were addressed to the British public, there is no doubt that they were intended also for the Governments and nations living under Dictators. The fear in Europe is that the Totalitarian States, whose leaders have absolute power, may by an aggressive move in defiance of warnings, pick a quarrel with the Democratic States, and promote strife. This is the explanation of Britain’s comprehensive plans for defence. Left to themselves, Britain and France will have no inclination to break the existing peace, but thej' are apprehensive lest the Dictators should suddenly decide upon substituting the law of force for the existing methods of diplomacy which control international relationships, and should plunge Europe into a state of chaos. No other reason exists for Britain’s phenomenal expenditure on armaments, especially on the ; creation of aerial defence. We are j told to-day that the output of ! British planes is now 750 monthj ly and that aircraft production is ; proceeding at an ever-increasing pace although there are large sources of production which have not yet come into activity Lord Nuffield’s specially-equipped factory, for example, from which great things are anticipated. To suggest as Herr Hitler has done that these preparations and the formation of a peace-front against aggression are part of the policy of an envious Britain scheming to prevent the legitimate expansion of a potential rival is, as Mr Chamberlain has said, fantastic. As President Roosevelt has declared: “There is no such thing as encirclement or threatening or imprisoning a peaceful nation by other peaceful nations.” The only possible encirclement of Germany is that which she may herself construct out of those of her neighbours who fear an attack upon their independence. The British Prime Minister is sincere in his earnest desire to maintain peace, but he cannot forsee the future policies of the Dictators, who have at their disposal great forces, both military and aerial, and the character of the powerful factions which support them cannot be said to contribute to the tranquillity of Europe. Hence the apprehensions of the French, and the extraordinary precautions of Britain. Those precautions, though not complete, are strongly developed, and on them and France’s preparedness the peace of Europe mainly depends. It is interesting, therefore, to note that it is reported from Berlin that Herr Hitler is planning definite proposals to Britain, France, and the United States “for the settlement of the problems which are causing worldtension.” Much will depend on the nature of those proposals, but, provided that they are reasonable and unprovocative, it is a foregone conclusion that Britain will carefully consider them. The same may be said of Herr Hitler’s reported appeal to the Pope with a view to Flis Holiness using his influence with a view to persuading the Poles to settle the dispute over Danzig amicably. Unfortuntunately provocative actions by the Nazis do not tend to create a friendly atmosphere.

On the subject of the Danzig differences, Lord Halifax, Foreign Minister, said in the House of Lords yesterday that he could not do better than emphasise Mr Chamberlain’s recent words: “Our assurances to Poland are clear .and precise. Although we should be glad to see the differences between Germany and Poland amicably settled by discussion, if an attempt were made to change the situation by force in such a way as to threaten Polish independence, that would inevitably start a conflagration in which this country would be involved.” I his reiteration of the Prime Minister’s statement was caused by certain suggestions—apparently emanating from France—that there had been some changes in Britain’s foreign policy. The Foreign Minister emphasised that there had been no change. He went on to state that Britain, while making no threats, wanted to make it clear to the world, that if force were used, those who used it must count upon force beina met by force. Britain wished to

keep clear of that. !f there was no attempt or intention to resort to force, then the whole influence of Britain, which, as Lord Halifax said, is not negligible, would rightly be thrown on the side of reaching a fair settlement by negotiation. There can surely be no misunderstanding as to British policy except by those with sinister designs.