BRITAIN AND GERMANY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23274, 17 February 1939, Page 11

BRITAIN AND GERMANY

NEED FOE UNDERSTANDING AMBASSADOR'S SPEECH NOT POLITICAL ANTAGONISTS BERLIN, Feb. 15 The Ambassador to Germany, Sir Nevile Henderson, in a speech at a dinner of the Anglo-German Society, laid stress on the necessity for an understanding between Britain and Germany based on respect for Germany's vital interests as a Continental Power, and -Britain's as an overseas Power.

The foundations of peace and understanding were laid at Munich. It was contrary to common sense to regard Britain and Germany as politically antagonistic. They were complementary.

Germany was a great Continental Power and Britain a, great maritime Power, which did not imply that Britain was not interested in the Continent or that Germany was not interested overseas. There was ample scope for both economically and in a civilising sense. It was only political competition which was dangerous. Commercial competition might be strenuous, but was neither hostile nor peace-disturb-ing. Evolution must ultimately lead to solid friendship between Britain and Germany, otherwise Europe would founder.