THE ALLIED WAR AIMS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20952, 3 November 1939, Page 5

THE ALLIED WAR AIMS

STATEMENT BY VISCOUNT HALIFAX CONFIDENCE DESTROYED BY GERMANY THREATS TO FREEDOM MUST BE REMOVED (Official Wireless) (Received Nov. 3, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 2 Following a suggestion of an extended presentation of the Allied war aims by Viscount Cecil in the House of Lords to-day, \ iscount Halifax said he thought that all recognised both the difficulty of detailing the war aims and also the broad purposes of the Allies. But he urged that the essential foundation in mind, when progress towards peace was found possible, was confidence. The confidence which the present German Government had destroyed must be repaired. The German Government were the only people who could repair that confidence. Britain had declared that an assurance by the present German Government was not enough, and in a statement on October 12 Mr Chamberlain had suggested that if that Government was prepared to make a real effort to repair the destroyed confidence it was “for ihem and not for us to consider how that can be done.” It was not reasonable or possible at this stage to define in advance at what moment or why the British purposes could he achieved. No one could forecast the prevailing conditions existing when the attempt to make peace came. What would be the state of Europe at the end of the war depended upon the length and intensity of the struggle. Neither was the question one for Britain alone. The Governments of the Allies and the Dominions also were concerned. The time may come when it might be possible and right to state in greater detail what would he the fulfilment of the purposes for which Britain took up arms. The primary aim was to win the war by defeating those who “have by their repeated violation of European order and threats to freedom obliged us to take up arms.” Instinctively all wanted European men and women to have a chance of leading a decent, orderly life. Although some of the broader purposes might be incapable of achievement at once, if the purpose was clear, the direction right, and the people united in the defence of their principles, the outcome would correspond with the convictions of those who desired to create world order which would enlist the cooperation of all nations, based on equality, self-respect and mutual co-operation and tolerance. “Nothing but good,” Viscount Halifax concluded, “could come from the contributions to this great problem and every proposal ought to he considered through which the hopes and aspirations of the people could be brought nearer to fulfilment. But there should be no departure from the task of securing conditions which, as far as humanly possible, would protect the world against a repetition of the tragedy.”