THE AIMS OF BRITAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20589, 29 August 1938, Page 7

THE AIMS OF BRITAIN

OUTLINED BY SIR JOHN SIMON POSSIBLE REACTIONS OF WAR (Official Wireless) RUGBY, August 27 A speech by Sir John Simon, Chancellor of the Exchequer, at a National Government demonstration at Lanark was almost entirely devoted to foreign affairs. At the end of a general exposition of the present Government’s foreign policy, Sir John turned to the par-

ticular case of Czechoslovakia, which he said was very much in the public mind at the moment. The Chancellor recalled that Britain's position had been fully and accurately defined in the speech of the Prime Minister, Mr Chamberlain, in the House of Commons on March 24 last. Sir John Simon added: “That declaration holds good to-day. There is nothing to add or to vary in its content.” Solution Can Be Found Sir John emphasised that a solution of the controversy in Czechoslovakia required contributions from all concerned. The Government had recognised that there was a real problem in Czechoslovakia, which needed urgently to be solved, but it was convinced that, given goodwill on all sides, a solution could be found that would be just to all legitimate interests. “There is no need to stress the importance of finding a peaceful solution, for in this modern world there are no limits to the possible reactions of war,” continued the Chancellor. “This very case of Czechoslovakia may be so critical for the future of Europe that it would be impossible to assume a limit to the disturbance which a conflict might involve. Everyone in every country should consider the consequences and bear that in mind.” They would all have read the striking speech made the other day by the American "Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, which laid stress on the widespread reatcions of war and on the necessity for substituting for the use of force in international relations methods of friendly co-operation. What Mr Hull had said, and what Mr Roosevelt said a few days later in Canada, must have wakened a responsive echo in many British hearts. Mediator and Friend Referring to Viscount Runciman’s mission in Czechoslovakia, Sir John §imon said the good wishes of all the world, which realised how much hung upon Lord Runciman’s success, were with him in the task lie had undertaken with such public spirit—going to Prague not as an arbitrator nor a judge, but as a mediator and friend. He was there in no sense as a representative ol' Britain, but as the representative of all men everywhere who desired justice and who loved peace. • - I am convinced that all reasonable people of every nation must desire to assist rather than hamper his endeavours to bring the several elements of the Czechoslovakian problem to a just settlement.” said Sir John. “Meanwhile* it is the duU» not ol us,

but of 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 that if the right spirit prevails a peaceful settlement, reconciling all interests and claims, will be attained.” Positive Policy of Peace The international situation had given the British Cabinet no respite, said Sir John. He defined the general policy of the Government in foreign affairs as a positive policy of peace. It had been a year of great anxiety and difficulty, said Sir John, and in nothing had Mr Chamberlain’s leadership been more marked than in the resolute and positive efforts he and the Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, had made to reduce tension and promote appeasement. For his part, said Sir John Sirnon, he would repudiate altogether the attitude which was tempted to say war was inevitable. lie would rather proclaim Ihe view that if all nations alike would do their utmost to remove causes that might lead lo war, and would try to meet in a fair spirit 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 no one of his hearers, brought up in the traditions of parliamentary democracy, would accept for themselves; but that was no reason why Britain should conduct her foreign policy as if friendship were impossible with these Stales of widcly-different political systems. Position of the League 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 strengthening 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 the loss, suffering and death which accompany such measures, their adoption in any good instance may easily have repercussions which might in certain circumstances involve others beside the parties at first concerned. Once this process has begun, who can say where it will end? “It was the realisation of this that led to the adoption of the ideals and principles forming the basis of the League, 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 has been found on occasion not capable of bearing the strain imposed upon it, that does not mean we should abandon its principles. Hatred of War “I believe that just as the people of this country have a deep and abiding love of peace and a corresponding hatred of war, so have the people of all other-nations,” concluded Sir John. ”1 believe that everywhere the man | in the street desires to lead his life i in an atmosphere of quietude and J security, looking forward to the eni joyment for himself and his children j of" the good tilings of life and hating and dreading the awful consequences which modern war brings upon all alike.” WAR NOT INEVITABLE GERMANY'S GRAVE STEP | United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright LONDON, August 2S ! Mr Winston Churchill, addressing ; his constituents at Theydon Bois. j Essex, said war was certainly not i inevitable, but Germany’s action in mobilising 1,500.000 when not menj aced was a most grave step The German Army had not been placed on a war footing without the intention of reaching a conclusion j within a very limited time, said Mr ' uhurchiiL