DEEP CONCERN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19584, 16 March 1938, Page 5

DEEP CONCERN

BRITAIN’S VIEW TREATMENT OF GROUPS JEWS AND SOCIALISTS ASSURANCES RECEIVED INTENTIONS OF ARMY (Klee. Tnl. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. March 10, 11 a.m.) LONDON, March 15. Speaking in the House of Commons, tlie Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. RA. Butler, said it was impossible tc express how solemnly tlie Government felt on the subject of the withdrawal of troops from Austria, and the position of Roman Catholics, Jews and Socialists.

The Government had received reports that tlie German Army would be withdrawn after a certain period, when tlie normal position was restored, said Mr. Butler. He added that the Government had received assurances that every effort would be used to ensure a sense of moderation in the treatment of Roman Catholics, .lews and Socialists.

Britain, while recognising frankly the limitations of the League of Nations, was determined to do all that was possible (to extend the League's influences. It would be prejudicial to tlie League’s interests to bring Austria before it. “The Government does not intend to introduce some form cf industrial conscription,” said Mr. Butler. “The Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, has no such intention. What he desired to convey was that if the Government decided that an extension or acceleration of the air programme was necessary, it would doubtless have to ask employers and employees to accept, in the national interest, certain inconveniences and perhaps sacrifices. All that Mr. Chamberlain meant to say was that all concerned should abstain from making difficulties. *

Display of Naked Force

The Leader of the Opposition, Major C. R. Attlee, linked what he called the display of naked force in the events of Friday to a long series of unchecked breaches of international good faith, dating from the Japanese action in Manchuria in 1931, and resulting in progressive deterioration in the world situation.

What was needed to-day, he thought, was not an attempt to bolster up peace by separate bargaining with separate dictators with whom, in his view, persons could not deal on the assumptions usually prevailing in the intercourse of States. What was needed was a return to the League principles and policies.

He expressed the sympathy, he believed, of all sections of the House, with those who might be in peril in Austria, Roman Catholics, Socialists or Jews, or any others who might be in danger or suffering for their beliefs or their past records. Collective Security Sir Archibald Sinclair, Leader of the Liberal Party, expressed the view that British rearmament, though esential, was not enough to ensure peace unless combined with an organisation of collective security. Mr. Winston Churchill (Conservative, Epping) said that he welcomed Mr. Chamberlain’s affirmation of the rights, interests, and duties of Britain in Central Europe. He asked for an early declaration of foreign policy, which would be clear and precise, and understood, for good or ill, by all countries and all parties.

The gravity of Friday’s events could not be exaggerated, Mr. Churchill added. Europe was confronted with a programme of aggression nicely calculated and unfolded stage by stage. The House of Commons would certainly sustain the Government in playing a great part in an effort to preserve peace in Europe, and if it could not .be preserved, to preserve the freedom of the nations of Europe. Adherence to League

Mr. Churchill said that they could not confine themselves only to renewed efforts at rearmament. The Government should express in the strongest terms adherence to the covenant of the League, and resolve to procure by international action a reign of law in Europe. He agreed entirely with what had been said by the leaders of the two Opposition parties on that subject. The Berlin correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that the version of Mr. Chamberlain’s speech to the German press deletes all reference to violence and illegality in the annexation of Austria. Mr. Chamberlain’s introductory review was distorted, and the Nazi version concluded with the statement that the speech was characterised by a noticeable lack of acquaintance with the course of events. Paris messages report that France was somewhat disappointed at Mr. Chamberlain’s speech, which, it is considered, leaves England’s intentions too equivocal. M. Leon Blum, the Premier of France, announced to-day that in view of the gravity of the situation he had decided to seek extra credits to expand the arms programme. M. Blum appealed to the Trade Union leaders to speed up the production of arms.

LONDON DEMONSTRATORS POLICE KEPT BUSY LONDON, March 15. A large crowd of demonstrators assembled outside the House of Commons to-night, many shouting:— “Chamberlain must go!” The police were busy dispersing them until midnight.