APPEASEMENT SUCCEEDING

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20719, 1 February 1939, Page 7

APPEASEMENT SUCCEEDING

DEBATE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRIME MINISTER’S CONTENTIONS FUEHRER’S DESIRE FOR PEACE EXAGGERATED FEARS AND PROPHECIES BELIED (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 1, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Jan. 31 The House of Commons was crowded to-day on its reassembly after the Christmas adjournment in anticipation of the foreign affairs debate which was opened by Mr C. RAttlee, Leader of the Labour Opposition, immediately after questions. The public and private galleries were full, and there was a large attendance of the diplomatic corps. The speech of Mr Chamberlain who replied at once to Mr Attlee, was notable for its declaration that the policy of appeasement was steadily succeeding and for his references to Herr Hitler’s speech.

No negotiations are at present contemplated with the German Government, but the British Government has been glad to observe the discussions on various industrial matters that have recently taken place between the representatives of industry in both countries. The Spanish Situation The Prime Minister began his speech by replying to Mr Attlee’s demand for the restoration of the right to buy arms to the Spanish Government. He said he was quite satTsflefl that the policy of non-interven-tion had been all right all along, and now was not the moment to change It, because, while he did not consider the situation in Spain was at this moment a menace to the peace of Europe, he did most emphatically consider, If Intervention took place now on any considerable scale that would be a menace to European peace by inevitably leading to the extension of the conflict in Europe. The British Government would not reverse Its policy of nonintervention. Referring to a suggestion made by Mr Attlee that General Franco's victory might be a strategic threat to Britain, Mr Chamberlain twitted him for disbelieving the assurances given by Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler, and reminded him that only the other day in Rome, Viscount Halifax, British Foreign Minister, and himself had received fresh and repeated assurances from Signor Mussolini and Count Ciano that they had nothing to seek from Spain once the eitil war was over, and that a similar assurance had been given him by Herr Hitler. Regarding the suffering of the Spanish refugees, Mr Chamberlain said the British Government had done, and would continue to do what it could to help. He hoped it would be possible to obtain from General Franco that immunity for neutral safety zones for women, children and the injured, which the French Government was, he understood, endeavouring to arrange with the Spanish Government. Accusing the Opposition of taking the worst possible view of motives and intentions of the leaders of the totalitarian Slates, and frightening themselves by feeding their imaginations on improbable hypothesis, as well as exaggerated deflciences in British strength, Mr Chamberlain declared that the Government’s rearmament efforts were now beginning to result in enormous, and even more rapidly increasing, additions to the armed strength of Britain. British prestige never before stood as high as it did to-day; and never before had the friendship of Britain been so sought after. In conclusion Mr Chamberlain said that while he believed there were no questions between the nations, however serious, which could not he settled by discussion, he must add as a qualification that it was no use to embark on a discussion for the settlement of differences, the satisfaction of aspirations, and the removal of grievances unless the atmosphere was favourable and unless those who undertook them were convinced that those who sit round the table wanted a peaceful settlement and had no sinister ideas at the back of their minds. A MIXED RECEPTION ACCORDED PRIME MINISTER 'United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received 'Feb. 1. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 31 Upon entering the House of 'Commons at the re-assembly of Parliament, the Prime Minister, Mr Chamberlain, was acclaimed by the Ministerialists, the Opposition shouting: "Three cheers for Barcelona!”

THE ROME VISIT PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT OPPOSITION NOT IMPRESSED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 1, 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 31 Mr Chamberlain dealing with the Rome visit said: "Although I am unable to state that we are in agreement with Signor Mussolini on all points, we achieved our purpose as he gained a clearer insight of the other standpoint. "Signor Mussolini, for the first time had made it clear that Italy’s policy was peaceful. He had also declared that the Rome-Berlin axis was an essential point of Italian policy, but Italy could be friendly with Britain and other nations when circumstances were favourable.” Mr Chamberlain added: "I made it plain that close Anglo-French cooperation was the basis of the British policy and Signor Mussolini said he would stand loyal to the Mediterranean clauses in the Anglo-Italian agreement. We agreed to have an early discussion about the East African boundaries. Signor Mussolini had pressed the view that General Franco should immediately be granted belligerent rights. He also favoured the approach of qualitative disarmament when conditions were more favourable.” Mr Attlee’s Reply Mr Attlee described the Rome conversations as ineffective; the only value of Mr ’Chamberlain's visit was the revelation that the Italian peoples desire better relations with the British people. There was a growing feeling of disgust at the Government's attitude throughout the Spanish struggle. All attempts to minimise Italy’s contribution of the Catalan offensive was absurd in view of the declarations of Italy itself. FRIENDLINESS EVIDENT IN ITALY AND GERMANY HERR HITLER’S SPEECH (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 1, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Jan. 31 Mr Chamberlain, referring to the progress of appeasement said the Rome visit had strengthened the feelings of friendship between Italy and Britain, while the relations with France were never more intimate or cordial. The British Government had seen with the greatest satisfaction the recent Franco-German declaration, and now the exaggerated fears and prophesies which had been published in some sections of the press in advance of Hitler's speech had been belied in events. Regarding that speech, Mr Chamberlain said-: "It was a long speech; it touched a great many topics, and covered a wide field. I do not pretend that I have had time to examine with care every phrase in it, but I can say this: I very definitely got the impression that it ware not the speech of a man who was preparing to throw Europe into another crisis. It seemed to me there were many passages in the speech which indicated the necessity for peace for Germany as well as for other countries. " We all have our domestic problems, our economic or financial problems, or unemployment in one country and other problems in other countries; none of us could be unsympathetic to Hie idea that the statesmen of various countries should devote themselves for a time to I lie improvement of the conditions of their own people.” Confidence and Co-operation This reference to Herr Hitler’s speech had been preceded by another, in answer to which the Premier gave at question time and in which lie said: "I welcome the passage in Herr Hitler’s speech regarding his desire for mutual confidence and co-operation between our two peoples, and I should like to take this opportunity to repeat that these sentiments are fully shared by the British Government/ and by the people of this country.”