FACING REALITIES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21184, 3 November 1938, Page 7

FACING REALITIES

POLICY DEFENDED BY MR CHAMBERLAIN SCOPE OF BRITAIN’S GUARANTEE British Official Wireless (Received November 2, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, November 1. In his speech in the House of Commons, on the Munich agreement, the Prime Minister joined with Mr Attlee in expressing his sympathy for the refugees, and mentioned that authority had been given for temporary admission to the United Kingdom of 350 refugees, who were actually in danger, and whose maintenance while In England had been arranged for. This would be extended to their families if similar undertakings for their maintenance were forthcoming. He also announced that the Government had appointed Mr R. J. Stockford, who accompanied the Runclman mission, to report on the number and condition of refugees in Czechoslovakia and the progress of relief measures. Mr Chamberlain slid that he was not yet In a position to make a fuller statement on the proposed guaranteed loan to Czechoslovakia, but an advance of £10,000,C00, which had already been made, could be drawn upon for the maintenance and settlement of refugees. The Inter-Govern-mental Commission, which was dealing with refugees from Germany, had made It clear that involuntary immigrants of German origin from Sudetenland would be put In the same position as the other involuntary immigrants with which the committee was concerned. Replying to Mr Attlee’s questions regarding the offer of a guarantee for the new Czech frontiers, Mr Chamberlain said that he was not yet in a position to add anything to Sir Thomas Inskip’s statement on October 4. The position could not be cleared up until the whole uestlon of minorities in Czechoslovakia had been settled. Room for Britain and Germany The Prime Minister rebuked Mr Attlee for his remarks regarding Dr. Funk’s Balkan tour, and suggested that the attitude typified by them war largely due to want of confidence in Europe. Mr Chamberlain showed that closer economic relations between Germany and the countries of South-eastern Europe were based on the exchange of raw materials for manufactured products. This was a natural beneficial development > be welcomed by Britain, which had no desire to obtain exclusive possession of the market' of South-eastern Europe. There was room for both Britain and the Germans, and surely there was no necessity for economic warfare. He reminded the House that what it was witnessing in Europe was a readjustment of Versailles by peaceful means instead of by force. Mr Chamberlain also twitted Mr Attlee for being too glocmy about British trade prospects in China. China could not be developed without a great deal of capital, for which Japan would have to go to other countries, including Britain. The fact that so much capital was now being destroyed in China meant that even more capital would be wanted when the war was over, and it was quite certain that whoever reconstructed China could not do it without some help from Britain. Value of Declaration After dealing with Britain’s plans for rearming, the Prime Minister said: "This brings one to the joint declaration I made with Herr Hitler after the Munich conversations, which seemed to have dropped out of sight. Yet I my.self feel that in that declaration, if properly followed up, lies the chance for a new era of peace in Europe. I

believe; indeed, I am convinced, that Herr Hitler meant it when he signed it. I am equally convinced that the views expressed are the views of the majority of people, both in Germany and in this country. That being so, let there be no mistake as to our policy and our intention. It is our firm determination that there will be no sitting still and waiting for peace to come.” Mr Chamberlain added that Germany, geographically, must occupy a dominant position in Central and South-Eastern Europe. “She did do so now," he said, “and we do not wish to block Germany from these countries, or encircle her economically. We intend to maintain our own interests there.” Goodwill to be Consolidated "We shall not wait until a crisis becomes acute,” said 1-r Chamberlain. “We shall try to consolidate the goodwill of the four Powers which assembled at Munich and endeavoured to restore European confidence by the removal of fears and suspicions. We will not get far unless we get the Idea that the democracies and the totalitarian States are not to be ranged against each other in opposing camps, but that they can, if they choose, work together, not merely for the settlement of differences after they have arisen, but also in consideration of a constructive programme which will facilitate the international exchange of goods and improve international relations in various ways for the good of all. That is what is sometimes called a policy of appeasement. That is the policy to which the British Government intends wholeheartedly to devote itself.” "Puzzled and Bewildered" Sir Archibald Sinclair (Leader of the Opposition Liberals), who followed Mr Chamberlain, urged the Government to

extend more general asylum to the refugees from Sudetenland. Sir Archibald Sinclair like Mr Attlee argued that the House of Commons ought to think carefully before deciding to give a guarantee to Czechoslovakia, in the new circumstances which had arisen out of the Munich settlement. He said Mr Chamberlain’s speech left him puzzled and bewildered. Mr Chamberlain had no right to ask them to have faith In Herr Hitler’s signature to the Munich declaration, as long as the German and Italian signatures to the non-intervention agreement were unimplemented. Colonial Issue Raised Sir Archibald Sinclair next asked about the Government’s policy on colonies. Were they going to raise the question, or wait until Herr Hitler raised It. The solution of the colonial problems must be founded (1) on the principle of trusteeship for the natives; (2) all Powers with colonial interests must be consulted; and (3) a solution must be part of the general settlement, and the acid test of sincerity, in regard to which would be a measure of general disarmament.