MR CHAMBERLAIN COMMENTS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22518, 28 September 1938, Page 11

MR CHAMBERLAIN COMMENTS

“ PROMISES WILL BE

CARRIED OUT ”

UNDERTAKING OFFERED BY BRITAIN

fUHITBD PEES 9 ASfIOCIATTOW —COPTmIfIHTA (Received September 27, 8 p.m.) LONDON. September 27. The British Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain) in statements made at midnight and early this morning said; “I have read the speech by HenHitler and appreciate his references to my efforts to save peace. I cannot abandon those efforts since it seems to me incredible that the peoples of Europe who do not want war against one another should be plunged into a bloody struggle over a question on which agreement has already been largely obtained. “It is evident that the Chancellor has no faith that the promises made will be carried out,” Mr Chamberlain added. “These promises were not made to the German Government direct, but to the British and French Governments. “In the first instance, speaking for the British Government we regard ourselves morally responsible for seeing that the promises are carried out fairly and fully. We are prepared to undertake that they shall be so carried out with reasonable promptitude, provided the German Government agrees to a settlement by discussion and not by force. '“I trust that the Chancellor will not reject this proposal,” added Mr Chamberlain. “It is made in the same spirit of friendliness as that in which I was received in Germany, and which, if it is accepted, will satisfy the German desire for the union of Sudetenland in the Reich, without the shedding of blood in anv part of Europe.” It ic stated in official quarters that Mr Chamberlain during the last week tried with Herr Hitler to find a way of settling peacefully the Czechoslovak question. It is still n jssible to do so by negotiation. The German claim to the transfer of the Sudeten areas has already been conceded bv the French. British. and Czech Governments, but if, in spite of all the efforts made by Mr Chamberlain, a German attack is made upon Czechoslovakia, the immediate result must be that France will be bound to come to her assistance, and Britain and Russia will certainly stand by France. It is still not too late to prevent this great tragedy and for the oeonles of all nations to insist on a -ettlement by free negotiations.

OFFERS OF HELP FROM CANADIAN VETERANS

'Received September 27, 8.30 p.m.)

OTTAWA. September 26

From Toronto the Canadian Corns Association of, the Great War veterans, has made an offer to the Government to recruit and train a division for service in Europe. It urged the nationalisation of industries and the mobilisation of resources to supply Britain without nrofit.

Colonel W. W. Foster, of Vancouver, president of the Great War Veterans, declared that civilisation deserves to perish if it plunges the world into another war If the 20.000.000 who fought in the last one could be heard there would be no conflict.