BRITISH POLICY OUTLINED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21127, 29 August 1938, Page 7

BRITISH POLICY OUTLINED

JUST PEACE IN EUROPE UNCHANGED ATTITUDE TO CZECHS British Official Wireless (Received August 28, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, August 27. In a speech at a National Government demonstration at Lanark, sir John Simon (Chancellor of the Exchequer) almost entirely devoted his remarks to foreign affairs. Problems of the Czechs At the end of a general exposition of the present Government’s foreign policy, Sir John Simon turned to the particular case of Czecho-Slovakia, which, he said, was very much in the public minds at the moment. He recalled that Britain’s position had been fully and accurately defined in the Prime Minister’s speech in the House of Commons on March 24. Sir John Simon added: “That declaration holds good to-day. There is nothing to add, or to vary, in its content.” Contributions From All Sir John emphasised that a solution of the controversy in Czecho-Slovakia required contributions from all concerned. The Government had recognised that there was a real problem tn Czecho-Slovakia, needing urgently to be solved, but he was convinced that given good will on all sides, a solution could be found that would be just to all legitimate interests. Lord Runciman’s Mission Referring to Lord Runciman’s mission to Prague, Sir John Simon said the good wishes of all the world, which realised how much hung upon Lord Runclman’s success, were with him in the task he had undertaken with such public spirit—going to Prague, not as an arbitrator nor judge, but as a mediator and friend. He was there in no sense as representative of Britain, but as representative of all men everywhere who desired justice and who loved peace. “I am convinced,” Sir John added, “that all reasonable people in every nation must desire to assist rather than hamper Lord Runclman’s endeavours to bring the several elements of the Czecho-Slovakia problem to a Just settlement. Meanwhile it is the duty, not only of us, bu.t all others—and all are concerned in world peace—to do nothing to Imperil a satisfactory conclusion, and as I have already said, we firmly believe, if the right spirit prevails, a peaceful settlement, reconciling all Interests, claims and good will will be attained.” “War Not Inevitable” Sir John Simon went on to say that the international situation gave His Majesty’s Ministers little respite. He defined the general policy of the Government in foreign policy, as a positive policy of peace. It had been a year of great anxiety and difficulty, and in nothing had Mr Neville Chamberlain’s leadership been more marked than in the resolute and positive efforts he and Lord Halifax had made to reduce the tension and promote appeasement. “For my part,” Sir John added, “I repudiate altogether the attitude which was tempted to say that war is inevitable. I would rather proclaim the view that if all nations alike would do their utmost to remove the causes that might lead to war, and would try to meet in a fair spirit all difficulties from whatever quarter they came. War

was never inevitable. There were great countries in Europe with a system of government very different from the British, which, not one of them, brought up in the traditions of parliamentary democracy, would accept for themselves, but that was no reason why they should conduct foreign policy as if friendship were impossible with these states of widely different political systems. “War Solves Nothing” With reference to the ideal of peace and the position of the League of Nations, Sir John Simon said: "All the efforts of Britain have been directed to the strengthening of the foundations of peace and the adoption of argument and reason in the settlement of International differences. For we are convinced that true solutions cannot be found by the use of violent measures. Apart from loss, suffering and death which accompany such measures, their adoption in any good Instance, ma,, easily have repercussions which might in certain circumstances, involve others besides the parties at first concerned. Once this process is begun who can say where it may end. It is the realisation of this that led to the adoption of the Ideals and principles forming the basis of the League of Nations and it has been a matter of profound regret to Britain that the absence of a number of important nations has so gravely weakened the League. If, however, as an instrument, it had been found, on occasion, not capable of bearing the strain imposed upon it, that does not mean we should abandon its principles.” Britain’s Position Defined Concluding his speech, Sir John Simon said: "Tire 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 destruction and how many would be called on to extinguish it. While Britain would fight to discharge her duties and protect the interest of the Empire people we will always bring our whole weight and influence to prevent war anywhere in the world.” "IF WAR IS AVOIDED” LORD LOTHIAN’S HOPES FOR THE FUTURE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright SYDNEY, To-day. Lord Lothian, leader of the British delegation to the British Commonweal! Relations Conference, said he thought that if a general war could be avoided in the next year or two the world would be brought back to stable conditions. He believed that the United States was beginning to appreciate that the British Empire was the outer ring of American security. SAFER AIR JUMPS SOVIET’S AUTOMATIC CONTRIVANCE United Press Association—Bv Hflectrlc Telpe r anh Cnrvrfeht (Received August 28, 6.30 p.m.) MOSCOW, August 27. Two hundred experimental Jumps proved the success of the automatic parachute opener, invented by two Soviet engineers. The mechanism resembles an alarm clock which opens the envelope between five and 128 seconds, as desired.