STAND BY BRITAIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20060, 5 October 1939, Page 5

STAND BY BRITAIN

REMOVAL OF FEARS SURRENDER OF SPOILS GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED BRITISH PRESS OPINION j (Klee. Tel. Cony right—United Press Assn.) (British OfTicin! Wireless.) Reed. noon. RUGBY, Oct. 5. The Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, said that when the Ger-man-Russian peace proposals were received they would receive consideration, but they must conform to two single conditions.. They must not require us to condone tile act of brigandage committed at the expense of Poland. On the contrary, they must repair the damage already done. And they must give, not only to us but to all Europe, an adequate assurance that the peace concluded will be durable and will not be disturbed by continual threats of Nazi aggression by which the whole continent has been assailed at almost regular intervals in recent years. “And here it unfortunately is necessary to gay,” Mr. Chamberlain explicitly said, “that neither the word nor tne bond of the present rulers of Germany constitutes any such assurance. They have been trusted again and again. They have betrayed their trust and can be trusted no more. On no conditions falling short of these can Britain and France even consider terms of peace.” The Daily Herald says: “If Germany is prepared, to withdraw from Poland and Czechoslovakia as an earnest of her future good intentions, then there might be a basis for discussion. But there can be no peace negotiations founded on a proposal that Britain and France should simply acquiesce in leaving to Germany the fruits of that policy of aggression which is responsible, and alone responsible, for bringing Europe to war.” Country Determined The Daily Telegraph says: “The Prime Minister has proclaimed the determination of this country, in alliance with France, not to swerve from the purpose which it set out to achieve whatever effort or sacrifice is demanded. That purpose is to make an end of the rule of violence and secure that henceforth the word of Governments, once pledged, shall be kept. He could not have expressed the mind and the heart of the nation more truly and more emphatically.” The Manchester Guardian says: “Whenever this war ends, whether soon or late, a new Europe will emerge. The vital interests of every people of Europe are at stake at this moment, for if a new Europe is to be a Europe dominated by Germany, there is an end of liberty and self-respect. Let anybody contrast the free tolerant conditions of Sweden and Switzerland with the unspeakable conditions in which the Czechs and Slovaks endure their underground existence if he wants to understand what this struggle means to every small people of Europe. All these look to the Western Powers, for they know that if we flinch from this struggle Europe passes into a prison. If the argument for going to war a month ago was strong, the argument for continuing war to-day is much stronger.” Rid World of Hitlerism The Daily Mail says: “Herr Hitler has got his answer. Mr, Chamberlain says Britain and France will not be bamboozled by any fake peace plan nor frightened by veiled threats. The British nation welcomes and endorses the firm statement o£ the Prime Minister. Wc will fight on and rid the world of Hitlerism. Peace, when it comes, will be on our terms.” Mr. Chamberlain’s statement is heartily approved by the French press to-day. Reports of the speech held first place in the newspapers. L’Oeuvre says: “Mr. Chamberlain pronounced firm and precise words which expressed the considered determination of the British people to hold out until that threatened liberty shall be saved and peace shall no longer be at Herr Hitler’s mercy.” “Pertinax,” writing in the Nationalist l'Oeuvre, declared: “The Nazi diplomats can no longer have any doubts as to the fate reserved for their ‘offer.’ ” The Petit Parisien says: "Mr Chamberlain replied with a strength and clearness that leaves no room for ambiguity. If Herr Hitler, MStalin, Herr von Ribbentrop, and M. Molotov had any illusion that their joint declaration might shake the firmness of French and British solidity that illusion must now be totally shattered.”