OPINION OF PUBLIC

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19919, 22 April 1939, Page 5

OPINION OF PUBLIC

DISTRUST OF DICTATORS UNEASINESS IN BRITAIN LONDON, April 13, The swiftness and finality with which public opinion has influenced the recent diplomatic moves is one of the most .important and interesting features of the latest phase of the European crisis. Wildly speculating newspapers have completely underestimated this factor.

To anyone listening to street, cafe or bus conversation for days past, it was evident that opposition to renewing trust in the dictators had. become deep-rooted, even among those who are usually not the most critical sections. . .

Typical comments are: "Where are we going?" "We- can't keep giving in." "Mr. Chamberlain is being foiled."

It is likely that Cabinet has also been informed of the probable repercussions of opinion in France, where, according to the Paris correspondent of the Dailv Telegraph, there is an undercurrent of fear lest Mr. Chamberlain may again be outmanoeuvred. The- man-in-the-street sees French policy .as "a cart firmly attached to the British horse." and he is, therefore, anxious to know whether the horse is going in the right direction. The French diplomatic commentator, Pertinax, writing in L'Ordre, comments: "Mr. Chamberlain is shilly-shallying and hesitating while the days pass. His decision can be efficacious only through naval movement."

Members of the House of Commons have aprjarently had their ears closer to the ground than the newspapers, hence the result of the inquiry through th« Government Whips to ascertain public opinion and also opinion among members of Parliament.