“LIKE FIRE IN HIGH WIND”

Southland Times, Issue 23599, 29 August 1938, Page 7

“LIKE FIRE IN HIGH WIND”

WAR IN MODERN WORLD BRITAIN’S DESIRE TO AVOID CONFLICT FOREIGN REACTION TO POLICY STATEMENT (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received August 28, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 28. Concluding a speech on foreign affairs made at a National Government demonstration at Lanark, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon) said that the beginning of a conflict was like the beginning of a fire in a high wind: it was impossible to say how far it would spread, the extent of the destruction and how many would be called on to extinguish it. “While Britain will fight to discharge duties and to protect the interests of the Empire and people,” he said, “we will always bring our whole weight and influence to prevent war anywhere in the world.”

Comment by German Government officials on Sir John Simon’s speech is limited, says a message from Berlin. The opinion is expressed that the speech is vague, “although its eagerness for peace is identical with the policy of Herr Hitler, who is aware that the Germans’ anti-war mood will not precipitate a conflict.” The Germans refuse to accept the speech as a warning to Germany against war, preferring to regard it rather as a warning to Czechoslovakia.

Czech Government circles regard Sir John Simon’s speech as more important that Mr Neville Chamberlain’s, as it reaffirms the British attitude after the Czech mobilization in May. It is believed in Prague that the speech will restrain German pressure, enabling the Government and Viscount Runciman, the British mediator, time to develop a new plan. Officials of the French Foreign Office interpret Sir John’s speech as a veiled and timely warning to Germany, as it involves support of France if she is obliged to enforce her treaty obligations.

Sir John Simon’s speech is welcomed in Rome, as it does not herald a fresh pledge to France, which was expected. Italy nevertheless believes that it is a warning to Germany. The United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hutt), commenting at Washington on Sir John Simon’s speech, said the American record for similarity of thought with the British in the preservation of peace spoke for itself. EUROPE "REMINDED OF PLEDGES KELLOGG-BRIAND TREATY POWERS (Received August 28, 7.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 28. On the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Kellogg-Briand Treaty the Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) reminded the signatories of their obligations to maintain peace. In the face of the grave European situation, said Mr Hull, “the governments and people cannot be unmindful of their obligations and responsibilities for the observance of the pledges made 10 years ago.” Mr Hull in his statement mentioned the countries present at the signing of the pact—the United States, Germany, the British Empire, Italy, Japan, Poland and Czechoslovakia—thereby appearing to point directly to the current European situation. The correspondent of the British United Press at Washington indicates that officials of the State Department feel that Mr Hull’s timely reminder to the European nations of their pledges not to go to war might have a Beneficial effect, steadying the situation by keeping alive evidence that the United States’s vital interest in the maintenance of peace. DANGER OF GERMAN MOBILIZATION MR WINSTON CHURCHILL’S VIEW LONDON, August 27. Mr Winston Churchill, addressing his constituents at Theydon Bois, said: “War is certainly not inevitable, but Germany is mobilizing one million and a-half men when she is not menaced. It is a very grave step. They are not placed on a war footing without the intention of reaching that conclusion within a very limited time.”