NO ACTUAL PACT WITH HITLER

Southland Times, Issue 23634, 8 October 1938, Page 7

NO ACTUAL PACT WITH HITLER

MEANING OF SIGNED DECLARATION MR CHAMBERLAIN AGAIN DEFENDS ACTIONS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received October 7, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 6. “The agreement Herr Hitler and I signed was not a pact and, as far as the question of never going to war was concerned was not even the expression of the two people signing it. It was in their opinion the desire of their respective peoples,” declared the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain), concluding the debate in the House of Commons. “The document was not drawn up by Herr Hitler but by the humble individual now addressing the House. It must be remembered that the great self-governing Dominions are affected' by peace and war and that the Dominions have a right to consultation before we take a step which might have incalculable consequences for them.

“I do not think that war is inevitable. The strongest argument against it is the universal aversion to war on the part of the peoples of the world. I believe that the people of Britain desire the removal of the causes of war by discussion in a spirit of collaboration and goodwill. That means that the establishment of personal contact with the dictators must have a reasonable prospect of success before a world conference can be held. I sincerely believe that we may yet secure peace in our time, but I have never suggested that it could be achieved by disarming, which means weakness unless we can induce others also to disarm.

“The crisis has thrown a light on our preparations. There must be the fullest inquiry to enable the deficiencies to be made good as soon as possible. I cannot help feeling that had war come the people of Britain would have lost their spiritual faith altogether. Now we may well have a spiritual revival everywhere. There is a strong desire to serve; I would like to take advantage of that.” NO CONSCRIPTION Mr Chamberlain stated that his previous statement that the Government would not introduce conscription and compulsory national service in peace time still held good. On the motion for the adjournment the Leader of the Labour Opposition (Major C. R. Attlee) maintained that the House should continue closely to watch file situation. The Liberal leader (Sir Archibald Sinclair) suggested a meeting on October 18, which Captain Harold Macmillan (Conservative) supported, declaring that many were shocked at the House taking a holiday during such a period. The House of Commons,_ he said, was treated more like the Reichstag, meeting only to hear orations and register Government decrees. Mr Chamberlain said the House could be summoned should the occasion arise. “I think that is a sufficient safeguard,” he said. * - Major Attlee, winding up, said the Government’s motion implied that peace could be achieved by the methods followed during seven,years, yet the only result thus far had been apprehension about the future of Britain and of civilization. Sir John Simon, he said, had repudiated the idea of a fourPower pact, yet no other suggestion of future policy had been made. The Labour amendment was defeated by 369 votes to 150 and the motion of confidence was carried by 366 votes to 144. It is understood that 19 Conservatives and a Government Labour member abstained from voting, including Mr Winston Churchill, Mr R. A. Eden, Major A. Duff Cooper and Mr L. C. Amery.