WAIT FOR REPLY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20033, 4 September 1939, Page 8

WAIT FOR REPLY

CALL TO BERLIN WESTMINSTER REVIEW ANGLO-FRENCH WARNING KEEPING OF OBLIGATIONS UNITY 01'' PARTIES (British ODicial Wireless.) RUGBY. Sept. 2. Both Houses of Parliament resumed their sittings to-night after a brief adjournment to hear Ministerial statements of the crisis. The Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain in the House of Commons and the Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, -in the House of Lords, said:

"The British Ambassador at Berlin, Sir Nevilc Henderson, was received by the German Foreign Minister, Herr Von Ribbentrop at 9.30 o'clock last night when he delivered the joint Anglo-French warning message which was read in the House of Commons yesterday. Herr Von Ribbentrop replied that he must submit the communication to Herr Hitler.

“Sir Nevile Henderson declared his readiness to receive the Chancellor s reply, but lip to the present no reply has been received. The delay has possibly been due to the proposals meanwhile put forward by Italy that hostilities should cease, aucl that there should be a conference between the five Powers—Britain, France, Poland, Germany, and Italy. "While appreciating Italy's efforts. Britain for her part would not find it possible to take part in the conference while Poland has been the subject ol invasion, her towns arc under bombardment and Danz'a has been made the subject of an unilateral 1 settlement by force. Limit of Time “Britain is in communication with France as to the limit of time necessary for Britain and France to know whether Germany is prepared to effect such a withdrawal. If Germany should agree to withdraw its forces, ‘hen Britain would be willing to regard the position as being the same as before the German forces crossed the Polish frontier —that is to say, the way would be open to discussion between Germany and Poland on the matters at issue between them, on he understanding that the settlement arrived at was one that safeguarded .he vital interests of Poland and was secured by international guarantee. “If Germany and Poland wished that other Powers should be associated with them in the'discussion, then Britain, for her part, would be willing to agree.

“The international status of Danzig as a Free Stale was established by treaty to which Britain was a signatory and the Free State was placed under the League of Nations protection. ■ The rights given to Poland in Danzig by the treaty are defined and confirmed by the agreement concluded between Danzig and PolandThe action taken by the Danzig authorities and the Reichstag yesterday is the final step in an unilateral repudiation of this international instrument, which could only be modified by negotiations. Britain, therefore, did not recognise either the validity of the grounds on which the action of the Danzig authorities was based, or the validity of this action itself or of the effect given it by Germany.” Opposition Attitude Mr. A. Greenwood, deputy leader of the Opposition, in a speech, which was obviously inspired by anxiety lest the absence of an announcement of an immediate decision in Mr. Chamberlain’s speech might create a false impression abroad of vacillation, "at a time when Britain and all Britain stands for in human civilisation is in peril,” said he hoped the Prime Minister might be able to tell the House when it meets to-morrow what the final decision is and whether our promises are in the process of fulment for. 'to his mind, there could be no escape from the dilemma in which we had been placed. “This is the turning point in human history,” said Mr. Greenwood, "The die is cast. We are facing a new situation. Labour stands by its pledged word, and will share whatever cost in the interests of the liberty of the world. We shall use all our resources to defend ourselves and others igainst aggression. “We are building hopes on sand to think that the German Government is going to give any kind of favourable response to the appeal made. Acts of aggression already have occurred. “Herr Hitler has put himself grievously in the wrong and has become the arch-enemy of mankind. lie is guilty of the basest treachery to all people to whom in the past he had given promises. “We have no quarrel with the German people, but we enter the struggle with grim determination to overthrow and destroy a system of Government which trampled on freedom, crucified men and women, and brought back the jackboots of old Prussianism. “Out of the smoking ruins a new order will arise. The dictatorship will be destroyed forever and I know that liberty will prevail.” Sir Archibald Sinclair, leader of the Liberals, said that to-day’s session would not have been held in vain if it demonstrated that the British Parliament would not tolerate delay in the fulfilment of our obligations to Poland. He was sure that Parliament felt a reply must be demanded from Germany unless the advance of the German armies was promptly stopped. It was, of course, vital that we should march in. step with out French allies. “Let not the confidence wc feci in our French allies waver if, indeed, they wish to await the decision of their Chamber,” said Sir Archibald. Mr. Chamberlain, replying, said he thought the House recognised that the Government was in a somewhat difficult position. “I suppose it must always be difficult, lor allies who have to communicate with one another by telephone to synchronise their thoughts and actions quickly, and I should be horrified if

he House thought for one moment lint the statement ! made to-night betrayed the slightest weakening in Ihe attitude, either of this Government or France,” he said. “I would have been very glad if it had been possible for me to say to 'he House now that France and ourselves had agreed to make the short'd. possible time limit when action should be taken by both of us. It is very possible that the communications which we had with France, will receive a reply from them in. the course of the next few hours. 1 understand that France is in session at this moment. “I feel certain that I can make a s'alemcnt of a definite character to 'lie House when it meets again tomorrow. I am the last man to neglect any ounorlunitv which I consider of ihe slightest chance of avoiding the great catastrophe even at the last moment.”