TRANSITION IN GREAT BRITAIN FROM GLOOM TO HOPE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 September 1938, Page 8

TRANSITION IN GREAT BRITAIN FROM GLOOM TO HOPE

Nation Breathing Much More Freely ENTHUSIASM IN PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES BUT DISTRIBUTION OF GAS MASKS CONTINUES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, September 28. The entire country has suddenly passed from gloom and foreboding to hope, after hearing the news of the Munich conference. Mr Chamberlain’s cry to the crowds in Downing Street:. “It is all right this time,” is taken up everywhere as a miracle phrase coming when the nation knew it could not be nearer war and with war preparations and precautions being pushed on day and night. Despite the realisation that Europe’s troubles are by no means ended, everyone again feels able to breathe more freely. The West End went wild with enthusiasm after hearing Mr Chamberlain’s announcement. Matinees were interrupted, audiences greeting a repetition of the Premier’s dramatic words with loud and long cheering. While the country is rejoicing over the respite, the Government has taken pains to make clear that too much must not be hoped. Sir Samuel Hoare made a statement, after the rising of the House of Commons, emphasising that it was in the interests of everyone that precautions, including the distribution of gas masks, the digging of trenches and the organisation of first aid, should be pushed on to completion as rapidly as possible. Having begun ..precautions, England is determined not to be caught unawares while the crisis persists.