WAR AND PEACE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23985, 7 December 1939, Page 9

WAR AND PEACE

BRITAIN’S AIMS STRESSED SECURITY FOR ALL PEOPLES NO SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Dec. 5. Replying to the debate in the House of Lords on war and peace aims, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Lord Halifax, said he would summarise what the British war purposes appeared to him to be. He continued: “We desire the peoples who have been deprived of their independence to recover their liberties. We desire to redeem the people of Europe from this constant fear of German aggression, and we desire to safeguard our own freedom and security. It is quite true to say that we do not seek aggrandisement and do not desire to redraw the map in our own interests, and still less are we moved by any spirit of vengeance. On the contrary, if Germany is able to restore the confidence which she has destroyed we aim s.t a settlement which will encourage her to take her rightful .place in Europe, and we wish to create an international order in which all peoples will be secure under a reign of law in which they might determine their political and economic life free from interference by more powerful neighbours. To this we would willingly give our best in full co-operation with other nations, including Germany, to the work of reconstruction politically and economically. Only by that means do we believe an ordered international life in Europe can be preserved, That general framework will be found in the speeches of members of the Opposition, just as much as in the speeches by thoss who speak for the Government, and in the views expressed in statements made on behalf of the dominions. It will be found in the declaration of M. Daladier and the ■ French leaders of all parties, and I do not believe it will meet with dissent In any Allied quarters.

“This declaration represents the essential principles of a satisfactory and lasting peace. I most devoutly hope that the sacrifices of this war will lead to a truer appreciation of Christian values.

“As to the precise terms upon, which this country would ,be willing; to end the war to-day, his Majesty the other day, in answering the: peace proposals of the King of the Belgians and the Queen of the Netherlands, said it was not hin wish, nor that of his Government, for the war to continue a day longer than was necessary.” * Wrongs to be Righted Proceeding, Lord Halifax said the answer to the question on what conditions this country would lay down, arms was given by 'M. Daladier in a speech he made a few days ago. M, Daladier' said the French (and he might have added the United Kingdom) would lay down their arms! when they could treat with a Government whose signature could be trusted. France would treat when the wrongs caused to weaker nations could be righted and lasting security established, and he went on to indicate that France must have confidence that this security would endure. Referring to the suggestion made in some quarters that’ an armistice should be proclaimed and a conferj ence summoned, Lord Halifax said: “ The success of any conference depends on the conditions of its meeting. The conference method was followed in September, 1938. We were willing to follow it again immediately before this war if Germany would have abandoned her intention of invading Poland and would have withdrawn her troops. Did the Munich conference secure lasting peace in Europe? Agreement was reached, the most solemn assurances were given, and only six months afterwards Herr Hitler changed his mind, and, as he so often shows, he can always find excuses satisfactory to himself to justify action which completely contradicts the assurances given earlier. “ That kind of right-about-turn after solemn undertakings does show that no conference can surely be accounted a success 'unless that habit of disregarding assurances is abandoned. There is little use of indulging in wishful thinking about conferences unless the primary lesson has been learned that force is a bad plan. There is evidence that the German Government has not yet learned that primary lesson. “ The two prerequisites for conferences are: First, that the German Government is willing to accept terms corresponding to the purposes for which we took up arms; and, secondly, that there should be security that any settlement reached will be respected. On any other basis a conference, in my judgment, would achieve nothing, and would only be likely to enable the leaders of Germany to make their people believe that, on .the whole, the old method of force had not worked too badly.” Admiration for Finns Lord Halifax added that the practice of aggression grew, and in the last few days they had witnessed an inexcusable act which had been condemned. Open towns had . been bombarded and women and children mutilated and done to death on the pretext that a nation of under ?S?n°Snn ad m. ost i le . desi * n against 180,000,000. The British people had experienced two deep emotions. They had been, profoundly shocked by the circumstances of the Soviet attack, and they had profoundly admired the magnificent resistance of the £ inns. At the meetings of the League Council and Assembly his Majesty s Government would make its position plain. Commenting on this unhappy exsaid*°“ Th r conflict. Lord Halifax said. The Russian attack on Finland seems to me to be the direct consequence of the German policy By agreement which he thought Poland RI Tt e i/ ree hand t 0 att ack HitS-baS K° U * Id l een ? that Herr fyti® had bartered what was not his property to barter, namely the th b P er !i eS ° f the Baltic peoples.’ and the sequence of events has shown opened” 3B6 ° nCe the floodfiates are