REBUFF TO HITLER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20068, 14 October 1939, Page 5

REBUFF TO HITLER

ATTITUDE OF ALLIES BRITISH PRESS COMMENT CHAMBERLAIN LAUDED FIRM AND UNAMBIGUOUS

(Eloc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.)

(British Official Wireless.) Reed. noon. RUGBY, OcL 13

The measured impressive words in which the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, replied in the House ot Commons to Herr Hitler’s Reichstag speech meets with the whole-hearted approval of the British press, and early reports from neutral countries indicate that its firm and unambiguous insistence on the fact that peace conditions could not be acceptable which began by condoning aggression lias made a deep impression.

The final sentences of Mr. Chamberlain's speech, which were received with loud and prolonged cheering in Parliament, receives special prominence in the press, namely, “Either the German Government must give convincing proof of the sincerity of its desire for peace by definite acts and by the provision of effective guarantees of its intention to fulfil ils undertakings, or we must persevere in our duty to the end. It is for Germany to make her choice.” Self-Condemned

The Times says: “Herr Hitler’s socalled terms of peace stand self-con-demned, because they start from the assumption that the successful use of force can exclude from a peaceful discussion the domain in which force has been exercised. Nevertheless, the nations that were seeking the way of peace through all the time that Herr Hitler was threatening and preparing for war will continue to seek it.

“In rejecting the present terms with the dicision that their utter falsity requires, Mr. Chaamberlain was careful to leave the way open for a genuine offer, only lie was compelled to give or repeat a warning. There can no longer be any possibility of coming to terms unless the security for 'their fulfilment by Germany is something much better than HenHitler’s word. I has been given and broken so many times that it has become utterly valueless in the judgment of every statesman of Europe. Herr Hitler’s position in Bohemia, Slovakia, Memel, Danzig, and Poland, is based, in every instance, on a separate betrayal of a solemn pledge;” Sympathies of Audience

The Daily Telegraph says that Mr. Chamberlain has never spoken with greater effect or with more complete command of the sympathies of his audience.

After a close examination of the conditions laid down in the speech for a settled peace, the Telegraph says it is Hitlerism alone that stands in the way of peace. A realisation of that fact has been burned into the consciousness of the British and French nations too deeply to permit of any weakening in the cause they have combined to defend.

The Daily Herald says: “The Prime Minister’s words express the mind of the British people, of the British Dominions, and of the people of France. Britain will not accept an armistice that leaves Herr Hitler still grasping the fruits of aggression.” The News-Chronicle says that Mr. Chamberlain’s statement was far from being a blank negation. “The peace we are determined to secure,” it says, “must be a peace so justly framed that it will be lasting and not an uneasy truce between wars. That peace the Gei'man people can have on one condition. They must show sincerity by righting the wrongs they have done and providing effective guarantees oi their intentions to fulfil future obligations.” Guarantees Required The Daily Mail says: “If Germany wants to talk we shall listen, provided we do not have to accept the word of Herr Hitler and provided we are given firm guarantees that future undertakings will be fulfilled.”

New Zealand newspaper comment warmly endorsing Mr. Chamberlain's speech is quoted in London. The general tone leaves no doubt that opinion is solidly against any peace that does not include most drastic provisions to ensure that promises will be kept and signatures honoured. A Capetown message states that the Cape Times says Mr. Chamberlain expressed the view of every Government in the British Dominions.