GRAVE QUESTIONS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 149, 20 March 1939, Page 9

GRAVE QUESTIONS

Analysis of Germany’s Intentions COMPLETE DISREGARD OF PRINCIPLES LONDON, March 17. Mr. Chamberlain, in his speech in Birmingham, said that events this week were in complete disregard of the principles laid down by the German Government itself and seemed to fall into a different category from the methods adopted in the Rhineland and in Austria and Sudetenland. “They' must cause us all to ask ourselves,” he said, “Is this the last attack upon a small State or will it be followed by others? Is this a step in the direction of an attempt to dominate the world by force?

“Those are grave questions. I am not going to answer them tonight, but I am sure they will require grave an’d serious consideration, not only by Ger-

many’s neighbours, but also by others, perhaps even beyond the confines of Europe. “Already there are indications that the process has begun and it is obvious that it is likely now to be speeded up. We ourselves will naturally turn first to our partners, in the British Commonwealth — (cheers) —and to France — (cheers) —to which we are so closely bound. I have no doubt that others, knowing that we are not disinterested in what goes on in Sotith-eastern Europe, will wish to have our counsel and advice. “In our own country we must all review the position with that sense of responsibility which its gravity demands. Nothing must be excluded from that review which bears on tiie national safety. Every aspect of national life must be looked at again from that angle. Never Surrender Liberty.

“I do not believe that anyone will question my sincerity when I say that there is hardly anything I would not sacrifice for peace,” said Jlr. Chamberlain. “But there is one tiling that I must except and thtft is the liberty which we have enjoyed for a hundred years and which we will never surrender. (Cheers.) “That I. of all men. should feel called upon to make such a declaration is a measure of the extent to which these events have shattered the confidence which was just beginning to show its head, and which, if allowed to grow, might have made this year a memorable one for the return of all Europe to sanitv and stability. “With the lessons of history for all to read, it seems incredible that we should see a challenge to dominate the world by force. I feel bound to repeat. that while 1 am not prepared to engage this country by new and unspecific commitments operating under conditions which cannot now be foreseen, yet no greater mistake could be made Ilian to suppose that because it believes war to be senseless and cruel this nation has so lost its fibre that it will not, to the utmost of its power, resist such a challenge if it should ever be made.” (Prolonged cheers.) Sharpest Shock. Jlr. Chamberlain declared that publie opinion throughout the world this week had received a sharper shock Ilian had even previously been administered l<> it,' even under the present regime in Germany What might lie Ihn ullim.-Hi- rl’’--—» (»_••« nrofound dis-

turbanee of meffis minds could not yet be foretold but he was sure it must be far-reaching. After defending his visits to Germany as being completely necessary in order to save the peace at the time, •the Prime Minister stated that if the appeasement sought were to succeed it was essential that no Power should seek to obtain general domination of Europe and that each should be content to obtain reasonable facilities for developing its own resources and securing its own share of international trade and for improving the condition of its people. Though this might mean Ta clash of interests, it was felt that difficulties could be resolved by discussion. Mr. Chamberlain asked what had become of the assurances Herr Hitler had given and what regard, was paid to the principle of self-determination which Herr Hitler had so vehemently argued in Berchtesgarten. “Fomented From Without.” “Now, we are told that this seizure was necessitated by disturbances in Czechoslovakia and disorders threatening the peace and security of her mighty neighbour,” said the Prime Minister. “If there were disturbances, were they not fomented from without? (Prolonged cheers.) Can anybody outside Germany take seriously the idea they could be a danger to that great country or provide justification for what happened? Doesn’t the question inevitably remain in our minds that if it was so easy to discover a good reason for ignoring the asurances so solemnly and repeatedly given, what reliance can be placed upon other asurances from the same source? (Cheers.) “I share the disappointment and indignation of the great majority of the British people that these hopes have ■ been so wantonly shattered. How can this week’s events be reconciled with those assurances? Surely, as a joint signatory at Munich, I was entitled, if Herr Hitler thought it should be undone, to have been consulted, as was provided in the agreement. (Cheers.) Instead be took the law into his owu hands.” Mr. Chamberlain was cheered fulsome minutes at the-conclusion of his speech. Responding to a vote of thanks, he declared: “We need not be down-hearted. This great nation is far more powerful than it was eyen six months ago, and acts of violence and injustice will bring, forth sooner or later their own reward. Every one of these incursions raises fresh dangers for Germany in the future. I venture the prophecy that in tire end she will bitterly regret what her Government has done.”