ALLIES' COURSE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23160, 5 October 1938, Page 15

ALLIES' COURSE

MINISTER'S DEFENCE HITLER TOLD CLEARLY POLICY FOR THE FUTURE PROBLEMS TO BE FACED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Recoived October 4, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 3 The Home Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, winding up for the Government to-day's section of the House of Commons debate, .said it would 'have been courting fate if, while attempting to mediate, Mr. Chamberlain had engaged in threats and ultimatums. "That is the answer to Mr. Duff Cooper's main charge," said Sir Samuel. "We made our position privately as clear as possible to Herr Hitler, repeatedly." . . Answering criticism as to why. there had been no closer consultations witli Russia, Sir Samuel Hoaro said the Russian guarantee would have operated only when the French guarantee operated. Britain was content to let France take the lead in consulting the Soviet, whose position was analogous to theirs. ■

I "I claim we took the only course I possible,said Sir Samuel. "No critic has yet suggested an alternative." Mr. Attlee: A clear declaration earlier would have saved the situation. Sir Samuel Hoare: I am certain that if we had gone further than we did a world war would be now in progress. The course we took enables the Czech Republic to survive. Sir Samuel defended the guarantee and said he contemplated that all the great Powers would participate, and the new republic would be made as safe as Switzerland. The Government, was making inquries about hostages. ■ The Government had no intention,of diminishing its defence preparations and until an opportunity arose of testing the strength of its conclusions,. it would combine a persistent policy ;of peace with preparations to make and keep Britain -strong. "We may be compelled to face problems that ought to have been faced years ago,'' said the Minister. ; ' HERR HITLER'S PARI 1 .. -' - - ' « -• . . '."lt MUNICH SETTLEMENT !. "A REAL CONTRIBUTION" SIGNOR MUSSOLINI PRAISED British Wireless RUGBY. Oct. 3 Speaking in the House of Commons to-day of other representatives at Munich, Mr. Chamberlain remarked that hard things had been said about the German Chancellor in the past, but he thought the House ought to recognise than in consenting, even though only at the last minute, to. discuss with other Powers things which he. declared he had already decided upon, once and for all, Herr Hitler had made a real and substantial contribution.

Signor Mussolini's contribution was certainly notable, and perhaps decisive. Mr. Chamberlain mentioned that the Italian representatives" early in the proceedings at Munich had produced a memorandum which both he and M. Daladier had been able to accept as the basis for discussion.

M. Daladier's courage and readiness to take responsibility and his unfailing good humour had been invaluable throughout the discussions.

Mr. Chamberlain also referred in appropriate words to the messages of Mr. Roosevelt, and said that, in his view ; the strongest force o£ all was the unmistakable sense of unanimity, among the peoples of the world that somehow war must be averted. \ Mr. Chamberlain said the Dominion Governments had. been kept in the closest touch with events. "I would like to say how greatly I was encouraged on each of the journeys to Germany with the knowledge that I took the Dominion . Governments' good wishes," he remarked.