WAR OR SERVITUDE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23693, 28 December 1938, Page 7

WAR OR SERVITUDE

FRENCH SOCIALIST PARTY SENSATION AT CONGRESS SPEECH BY M. BLUM (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) PARIS, Dec. 27. M. Blum caused a sensation at the Socialist Congress at Montrouge in a two-hour speech in which he brushed aside the traditional Socialist peace ideals and advocated a national policy in a manner that could be expected from a Right Winger. He proposed a resolution urging no more concessions to totalitarian States and committing the Socialist Party fully and without reserve to national defence against any aggression threatening the integrity of France’s territory, the fulness of its sovereignty or its political independence. The motion declared that if the nation had to choose between servitude and war the Socialist Party would not advise servitude. M. Paufaure has a counter-motion favouring continuance of the Munich policy. . . The discussion will be continued to-morrow. ENGLAND AND FRANCE COLLABORATION ESSENTIAL PARIS, Dec. 26. (Received Dec. 27, at 6.30 p.m.) M. Blum said he was not influenced by the anti-Jewish violence in Germany. The Socialist Party in the past had even denied the idea of national defence, but now everything must be done to avoid being faced with the alternative of submission or war. The League of Nations had neither the force nor the authority necessary for imposing peace. “We are faced to-day by a dangerous Europe. The only question is the means to avoid war, and it is impossible to adopt an attitude of indifferent onlookers., Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini have divided the world between them. The Italian dictator is allotted the Mediterranean and North Africa in exchange for abandoning historical tradition, and the Italians’ position in Central Europe. Don’t forget that Signor Mussolini has received nothing yet.

Italy has now voiced claims to Tunisia. If I thought giving her certain satisfaction in this connection would result in disarmament, I would not hesitate, but what I am prepared to do for peace I am not prepared to do when I am certain such a policy would only increase a war power which can turn against us. France is menaced and can no longer be certain of assuring her defence alone. Collective security as advocated by the League of. Nations no longer exists. The only solution left is the arranging of pacts of mutual assistance.” M. Blum stressed the necessity for close collaboration between England and France. THE MOTION ADOPTED PARIS, Dec. 27. (Received Dec. 28, at 1 a.m.) The Socialist Congress adopted M Blum’s motion with 4322 votes. The counter-motion received 2837 votes.