GREAT TRIBUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23161, 6 October 1938, Page 13

GREAT TRIBUTE

EARL BALDWIN SPEAKS VIVID MEMORIES' OF 1914 MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S ACTION - v NOJHING ELSE iPOSSIBLE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless ■ RUGBY, Oct. 4 In his maiden speech in the House of Lords, where the debate on the Munich agreement was continued, Earl Baldwin paid a great tribute to Mr. Chamberlain for his conduct of the recent negotiations to ensure peace.

"When he took the decision to go to Berchtesgaden there was nothing else on earth he could have done,", said Lord Baldwin. "I thank God he was able to do it". "I do not believe there is another man in this country who could have brought about what he brought about, or could have done what ho did when ho got into those discussions in Germany. It was an action for which his country owes him much." Lord Baldwin went on to attack tho fallacy of the doctrine of inevitable war. War was never inevitable. Ho described how last Wednesday he sat in the gallery of the House of Commons next to the Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, while Mr. Chamberlain was making his'speech. "I do not believe there was any thought by anyone present but that war was inevitable," he continued. "My mind went back to that day in August, 1914, and I have never forgotten Edward Grey's face —the face of a man who looked as if he had been through hell —and I thought the skies were completely black. Rainbow Across the Sky "Prayers of nations had been ascending night and day not only in this country but in other countries, and no answer had come. In the middle of the speech Lord Halifax was handed a telegram and heMiowed it to me. It was the answer to Mr. Chamberlain's appeal. "It was just as if the finger of God had drawn a rainbow once more across the sky and ratified again His covenant with the children of men. The children of all nations," Lord Baldjpn concluded, "have their part to play now in these fleeting hours that are before us. May the rulers of all nations be guided with understanding and with knowledge."

The labour peer Lord Strabolgi hoped that more would be hoard about the Franco-British guarantee to Czechoslovakia. He and his party would resist it because it would lead to more anguish". The alternative to the fourPower Pact was a world pact. The Labour Party thought there should be a colonial settlement as part of a general settlement and not as a sop or surrender to armed force. "I" believe the surrenders made already will bring dishonour -without peace," he added.

BONDS TIGHTENED _ BRITAIN AND FRANCE M. DALADIER'S MESSAGE LONDON, Oct. 4 Thanking the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, for his message of Sunday, the French Prime Minister, M. Daladier, stated: "Your message profoundly touched the French nation. Your feelings correspond with mine. France, during the crisis, felt that the bonds of cordial friendship and esteem between Britain and France were still tighter. "Like my compatriots, I admired your burning desire for peace,- and your great and firm comprehension of vital Franco-British interests in France's particular obligations. Our collaboration does not exclude any other understanding. I am'convinced it will remain the surest pledge for the future of peace."