MAINIENANCE OF PEACE

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20679, 14 December 1938, Page 7

MAINIENANCE OF PEACE

FOREIGN POLICY OF BRITAIN MR CHAMBERLAIN OUTLINES AGREEMENTS BRITISH AND GERMAN PEOPLES DO NOT WANT WAR (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 14, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 13 Tlie Prime Minister, Mr Neville Chamberlain, in a speech at the foreign press dinner, described how he had faced a situation in which relations with Italy and Germany were rapidly deteriorating. He had come to the conclusion that the only alternatives were to make up his mind that war was inevitable and prepare for it or a prolonged effort to eradicate the possible causes for war and try out a method of personal contact, while pursuing re-armament’for defence. He believed that those who expressed the opinion that the country should have taken the first course were a small minority. He chose the second course. His goal was not only peace, but confidence that peace could be maintained. “And,” he continued, “as long as I am where I am I will never leave off trying.” Proceeding, he instanced his accomplishments, and mentioned the Anglo-Eire, Anglo-Italian, and Munich agreements. The latter was followed by the Anglo-German declaration, also the Anglo-American trade agreement. All were concluded within twelve months. Mr Chamberlain depleted the present tone of the German press, which was one based on an unscrupulous outpouring of vituperation upon the most respected of our statesmen, including the late Prime Minister, Earl Baldwin, and in few cases shows any signs of a desire to understand our viewpoint. Nevertheless he was convinced that the English and German peoples wish never again to go to war with one another.

Coming Visit to Romo Alluding to his coming visit to Signor Mussolini, Mr Chamberlain presumed that again some people would speculate as to who would be the winner or the loser, but that was not the spirit in which he and Viscount Halifax were making the journey. Mr Chamberlain denied the suggestion that because he advocated an understanding with the dictators he favoured the Nazi or Fascist system. “History teaches that no form of government ever remains the same," said Mr Chamberlain. “The change may come by slow degrees or suddenly like an explosion, but change in one form or another is inevitable. It would seem to follow, therefore, that we should be careful not to shut ourselves from contact with any country on account of a system which, in the course of time, may well undergo such modifications as to render it very different from what it is to-day. Re-armament for Defence Alluding to British re-armament, Mr Chamberlain said: “It is the British people's hope that these armaments may never be required. Certainly they will not be required for aggressive purposes, but none will be more glad than 1 to welcome limitation or reduction by an international agreement. “I have recently sustained a certain shock by seeing myself described as ‘that old man,’ but in one respect perhaps the passage of years has left its mark—in recognition of the futility of ambition if ambition leads to a desire for domination, for again history teaches that attempts at domination are never long successful and have never added to the happiness of the nations which attempted It. “Past experience has shown that there is an innate resistant force arising from fear of loss of liberty, combined with the ever-present passion for national self-expression, which makes domination difficult and precarious. “It is the absence of peace of mind which to-day weighs upon the world, and by destroying confidence prevents the reaping of the material advantages of human progress.” Appeal to Nations He concluded by appealing to the nations, through the press, to realise that happiness can only be attained if we cease seeking for points of difference. We should search instead for points of agreement. He described the relations with France as so close as to pass beyond mere legal obligations, since they are founded on identity of interests.

PEACE OF THE WORLD THE GREATEST GUARANTEE ANGLO-GERMAN CO-OPERATION (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 12 The President of the Board of Trade, Mr Oliver Stanley, in a speech, said he regarded a real agreement with Germany as the greatest guarantee we could have for the peace of the world. He did hot regard as an agreement a method whereby one side did all the giving and the other all the tai : ng. If the people of Britain were prepared to pay a heavy price for peace they were entitled to expect fhfct the Germans, in their turn, should be prepared to pay their price. Referring to the trading methods of the totalitarian States by offering to put the whole force of the State behind exporters, Mr Stanley said this raised a great problem. In the old days the British manufacturer could compete on level terms with the foreigner: to-day he had to compete firm against industry, or possibly firm against, country. That, was a form of competition which was no longer fair. Must Have Fair Deal Britain was determined that in the neutral markets of the world her tiaders should have a fair deal from those countries. Tf they would not meet Britain by the methods of peace and in the ways of fairness or by means of negotiation, then she should have no alternative but to fight. Britain was organising herself to fight: and if it came to a trade and commercial fight between the organised industries of Britain and the industries of other countries of the world, he had no doubt whatever what the result would be. THE ROYAL AIR FORCE BIG INCREASE IN RECRUITING (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON; Dec. 12 The Air Ministry announces that 612 recruits joined the Royal Air Force in the past week, compared with 221 in the corresponding week of 1937. This brings the total acceptances of pilots, observers, airmen and boys since April 1. 1938, to 21,940, compared with 10,681 for the corresponding period of 1937.