World Can Judge.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 255, 28 October 1939, Page 7

World Can Judge.

Mr. Chamberlain suggested that Herr von Ribbentrop's statement might be thought to have significance, since it followed long consultations between the Nazli leaders. “I do not propose to waste time commenting on many details of this performance,” he said. “No one in Britain will be deceived by its distortion of the truth. There is already abundant evidence that Herr von Ribbentrop has been no more successful in his attempt to mislead impartial observers in other parts ot the world Indeed, 1 even cherish the hope that , despite all suppressions and falsifica- j Lions there are still some in Germany itself who see where the real trutn lies. "The main thesis of his speech i.> that it is England and not Germany who has desired and plotted for wai. The whole world knows this is not 1 true. 'The whole world knows that no I Government ever sought more ardent- ' ' ly to avoid war or took greater risks 1 to preserve peace than tne Govern- ; ment of Britain. We hate already < published with full frankness all the essential documents relating to the 1 causes of the war. We are content to 1 oe judged by the facts and know that i the verdict of the great majority of : ’ neutral observers is in our favour. Minister's Mistake. "The British Ambassador in Berlin, Sir Nevile Henderson, in his linal report, referred to the encouragement given Herr Hitler in his designs on Poland by Herr von Ribbentrop, who apparently advised him up to the last moment that Britain would not fight. Yet Herr von Ribbentrop now asserts that the whole object of British policy since 1938 has been to concert a war against Germany. 'One ot the questions historians in the future will have to consider is how far the great tragedy of our times was the result of the lailure of Herr von Ribbentrop to comprehend either I he policy or the character of the British people. "I will make one other comment ' upon Herr von Ribbentrop’s speech. He desires, it seems, to invite the Soviet to join in tne crusade against the British Empire. Why. what a change is here!" exclaimed Mr. Chamberlain, amid cheers. “Let me read two sentences from Herr von Ribbentrop's address to the Press when h? first I came to England in 1936: “Disease of Communism." I "Germany wants to be friends with Britain, and I think the British people also wish German friendship. The Fuhrer is convinced that there is only j one real danger to Europe and the ’ British Empire as well; that is the spreading of Communism, this most | terrible of all diseases." 5 The laughter which the citation ; ’I 1