BARGAINING METHOD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 27, 3 February 1939, Page 7

BARGAINING METHOD

THE WAY TO PEACE ARMAMENTS LIMITATION CHAMBERLAIN’S STATEMENT AGREEMENT BY POWERS [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, Feb. 1. The passage In Mr. Chamberlain's speech which has attracted most attention is that in which he replied to the desire expressed by Herr Hitler on Monday night for a restoration of confidence and co-operation between the great Powers. Mr. Chamberlain welcomed the idea of frank discussion of aspirations and grievances, but noted that before formal discussions took place it must be certain that all the participants had a genuine desire for a peaceful settlement, and had no sinister idea in their minds. “What we want is not only words which indicate a desire for peace,” he said. “Before we can enter upon that final settlement we shall want to see some concrete evidence in willingness, let us say, to enter into arrangements for, at any rate, a limitation of armaments. If that time comes and if we can find a spirit corresponding to our own elsewhere, then I know that this country will not be unsympathetic and we shall be ready to make our contributions to general appeasement in Europe.” No Relaxing of Defence Plans The Daily Telegraph, referring to this hint about the need for a final settlement of anxieties that now perennially beset Europe, says: “If there are to be any hopes of success there will have to be much more thorough preparations than preceded the disarmament conference of 1932, and a much more favourable atmosphere for discussions than exists at present. If and when the time comes, this country, as Mr. Chamberlain said, will be ready to make its contribution, but it wifi necessarily be a contribution based on the assurance of our invulnerability by sea and air. In the meantime we cannot for a moment relax the efforts we are now making to overtake our deficiencies, especially in the air arm.”

The News Chronicle describes Mr. Chamberlain’s statement as a realistic reply to Herr Hitler's vague hints. The Daily Mail, while emphasising that there will be no more one-sided disarming by Britain, regards Mr. Chamberlain’s statement as being of the most far-reaching importance, and agrees that a halt to intense competition in war preparation by agreement among the Powers could be the basis for a settlement of outstanding pro- | blems and is an essential preliminary to appeasement. A Lesson Learnt The Times says: “There can be no! slackening of the great effort now be- i ing made to prepare the nation for any and every emergency. We have , made our practical experiment in disarmament by example, and found that j our example was not followed. We : cannot now be reproached for falling J back on the method of bargaining, i and in order to bargain for limitation i of the armaments of others we must i have at least equivalent armaments of our own as counters. Herr Hitler has expressed himself in favour of the principle of disarmament. He may be assured that claims which he still wishes to urge upon Britain have in this country their best chance of sympathetic consideration.”

GERMAN COMMENT NO ATTENTION TO ARMS LIMITATION FULL MILITARY SUPPORT FOR ITALY BERLIN, Feb. 1. Morning newspapers give prominence to Mr. Neville Chamberlain’s reference to Germany, but pay little or no attention to his armaments limitation proposal as a preliminary to general appeasement. One newspaper declares that the German viewpoint was fixed for a certain period in Herr Adolf Hitler's speech, and if Mr. Chamberlain now demands preliminary conditions for the start of negotiations, including

a new German contribution, it* is difficult to see how the talks will begin. A highly-placed official, clarifying Herr Hitler’s pledge to Italy, declared that the interruptions abroad were false. If Italy were involved in a war, whether it attacked or was attacked, Germany would give full military support without an inquiry, taking it for granted that if Italy were the, aggresor she would be forced to take such a step to secure her rights. The Daily Chornicle's Berlin correspondent points out that such a wide power of attorney involves corresponding duties, such as consultation before action is taken.

ITALIANS PLEASED TRIBUTE TO CHAMBERLAIN’S JUDGMENT. Received Feb. 2, 10.5 p.m. ROME, Feb. 1. Mr. Chamberlain’s speech in the House of Commons has satisfied the Italians from every point of view. The Press pay tributes to his judgment, honesty and political sagacity. RETURN OF COLONIES FIRST. Received Feb. 2, 9.5 p.m. BERLIN, Feb. 1. Official circles state that an AngloGerman understanding is impossible before a return of colonies. They cannot envisage a useful conference for consi ’eration of disarmament before a solution of relations between Italy and France.