ANXIETY AND RESENTMENT IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 147, 17 March 1939, Page 9

ANXIETY AND RESENTMENT IN BRITAIN

Setback To Returning Feeling Of Confidence CHAMBERLAIN CENSURES GERMAN ACTION IN COMMONS Not In Accordance With Spirit Of Munich Pact (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 15. Public opinion in London has been deeply shocked by the developments in Central Europe, and the news of the entry of German troops into Prague has increased feelings of anxiety and resentment. A crowded and expectant House of Commons today listened to a statement by the Prime Minister concerning events in Central Europe, in the course of which Mr. Chamberlain said that the moral guarantee to Czechoslovakia given last October had) now lapsed thi ough the disintegration of that country. Mr. Chamberlain added that the Bank of England had been instructed to suspend any further payments under the credit of £10,000,000 advanced to Czechoslovakia, and that the trade visit of Mr. Oliver Stanley and Mr. R. S. Hudson to Berlin would not take place.

“The Munich agreement constituted a settlement which was accepted by four Powers, and Czechoslovakia, of the Czechoslovak question. It provided.for the fixation of the future frontiers of Czechoslovakia and laid down the limits of German occupation, which Germany accepted.

“Germany now, without, as far as I know, any communication with the other three signatories at Munich, has sent its troops beyond the frontier then laid down. Even though it may be now claimed that what has taken place occurred with the acquiescence of Czechoslovakia, I cannot regard the maimer and methods by wliich these changes liave been brought about as in accord with the spirit of Munich. “There is a further point which I cannot omit to mention,” said the Prime Minister. “Hitherto the German Government, in extending the area of its military control, has defended its action by the contention that it was only incorporating in the Reich neighbouring masses of people of the German race. Now for the first time it is effecting the military occupation of territory inhabited by people with whom it has no racial connexion.” Bitter Regrets. In conclusion, Mr. Chamberlain , declared that the events be had described to the House could not fail to cause disturbance to the international situation and administer a shock to the confidence which he had said was beginning to revive. He recalled his appeal in Birmingham at the end of January for a contribution by others to the search for peace which was the aim of his Government, and said it was natural, therefore, that he should bitterly regret what had now occurred. “But,” said Mr. Chamberlain, “finally, do not let us on that account be deflected from our course. Let us remember that the desire of all the peoples of the world still remains concentrated on hopes of peace and of a return to the atmosphere of understanding and goodwill which has so often been disturbed.

“The aim of this Government is now, as it always lias been, to promote that desire and to. substitute the method of discussion for the method of force in the settlement of differences. “Though wo may have to suffer checks and disappointments from time to time, the object we have in mind is of too great significance to the happiness of mankind for us lightly to give it up or set it on one side.”

NO SECURITY LEFT IN EUROPE

M.P.’s Denounce Nazi Aggression (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 15. .Mr. D. R. Greufell (Labour), opening the debate in the House of Commons following Mr. Chamberlains statement, said he thought that the problems in Middle Europe, with its mixed nationalities, would have to be far more carefully studied and fully understood than was apparent from anything Mr. Chamberlain had said. He commented with amazement on what he called the sense of splendid Isolation and detachment of Mr. Chamberlain’s statement on a situation charged with emotion. Pride had been humbled and a naiton’s trust and independence violated. This incident, he contended, was simply one of a sequence of crises to which Europe had been treated and which would be repeated on suitable occasions for some time to come because Britain had not been seized with the yeal significance of jthe events of

Proceeding to consider the policy of the Munich settlement Mr. Chamberlain said that, having regard to the alternatives open to them at that time, he had no doubt that the course which Britain took was right, and he believed that it had received the approval of the vast majority of world opinion. That settlement, however, had not proved final. Czechoslovakia, to which they had hoped to give a more stable future, had disintegrated. That might or might not have been inevitable.

“I have so often heard charges of breach of faith bandied about which did not seem to me to be founded on sufficient premises,” he said. “I do not wish to associate myself today with any charges of that character, but I am bound to say that I cannot believe that anything of the kind that has now taken place was contemplated by any of the signatories to the Munich agreement.

the last few years in Europe. He agreed that little could have been done since Munich, but he charged the Government with failure to cope with the situation before Munich. Immediate Dangers. Mr. Grenfell said that Ministers h,ad stated last October that under the Munich Agreement Czechoslovakia would enjoy greater security than before, and asserted that Mr. Chamberlain’s credulity passed all understanding. The fact was that they were now; entering upon a period fraught with immediate and terrible dangers to aIL There was no security left in Europe. The smaller nations were in a state of apprehension and fear, and even large nations were not free from it. He asked the Government to seek before It was too late to assemble for co-opera-tive effort the peace-loving forces of Europe and the world. Sir Archibald Sinclair, leader of the opposition Liberals, said that the methods of aggression employed by Herr Hitler’s Government in Czechoslovakia would almost certainly be used again elsewhere, and he, too, appealed to Mr. Chamberlain to gather likeminded nations under British leadership in defence of the principles of law in international relations. Mr. Eden’s Plea. Mr. Anthony Eden (Con.) also urged upon the Government the necessity for rapid actions to safeguard the position of refugees in Czechoslovakia. He elicited from Mr. Chamberlain an intimation that there was no intention to cancel the rest of Mr. R, S. Hudson’s tour of the northern capitals. Proceeding, Mr. Eden said that the hopes which some people had been able to repose last October in the results of the Munich conference had been falsified, and no one could doubt that there would be only a brief respite before further demands were made and another victim arraigned which, like its predecessors, would be confronted with the alternatives of resistance or surrender.

New Military Position.

Mr. Eden concluded with a fervent appeal for the co-operation of political parties in convincing the world of the strength of the nation and of its determination to make an effort without parallel in its history. “There is a time when a great nation must take a great decision and I believe that such a time has come now,” he said. Mr. Eden said that such a Government of all parties would have to examine the new military and strategic position and consult with all likeminded nations, wherever they might be and whatever they might be, on what their common policy should be — where they should make their stand and how they should give effect to their decision.

Dr. Hugh Dalton (Labour) declared that Mr. Chamberlain’s policy was now visibly in ruins. If events had taken the Government by surprise it was a reflection on the diplomatic service. “We should make contact with the Soviet and the United States,” he went on. “There is yet time to collect forces which may make even Hitler think.” Amazing Megalomania.

Replying for the Government, Sir John Simon said he resented the attacks made on Mr. Chamberlain. He declared: “It is no reflection on our Ambassador that he was unable to predict the sudden decision of a single man. There is general agreement that the extinction of Czechoslovakia is a terribly and wholly indefensible event. The method whereby it was accomplished is the very opposite to that contemplated at Munich.” Lord Halifax’s recent warning to the totalitarian Powers, “Halt, Major Road Ahead” said Sir John, represented the major determination of the whole British peoi>le. It was mistake to suppose that they would tolerate any domination. Sir John Simon pointed out that history showed that alien races under the domination of conquerors were often a source of weakness. He suggested that Austria and the Sudetenland might not prove a source of strength to Germany. “We are witnesses of the most amazing megalomania,” he said, adding that he was sure of the British people’s power of resistance if anything of the kind were attempted at their expense. The debate concluded.