PEA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 October 1938, Page 7

PEA

FRENCH CI ; VOTE OF ; PREMIER G DEFENCE OF . By TelegraphCop. (Received This P. Cabinet has deci< ment for plenary fi> ■ meet mobilisation cot The Chamber of De vote of confidence in L by an overwhelming majo. : A crowded Chamber ga\ . tion to M. Daladier, who aecia: have saved peace.” He defin Government’s attitude during the < is, as animated by two equally stroiV-: sentiments —firstly, a desire not to be compelled to take military action and seconded the wish to fulfil its word. “If that hope was disappointed,” M. Daladier said, "we had the alternative of saying no to the German demands and thus pushing the Czech Government into obstinancy and the German Government to aggression, thereby provoking a conflict which would have rapidly destroyed Czechoslovakia, or trying to find a compromise. We chose the peace resulting from the AngloFrench plan, which, despite painful propositions, was submitted to Czechoslovakia. and secured a British guarantee. M. Daladier was loudly cheered when he paid a tribute to Mr Chamberlain’s efforts for peace. Further cheers greeted a statement by M. Daladier that he did not regret accepting Herr Hitler’s invitation and his praise for the Czech sacrifices. Ho said: “I was aware of German esteem for France when I went to. Munich. We must feel esteem for a great people, our neighbours, who were our enemies, but with whom’we should be able to live in a durable peace. It is not our intention to substitute new for old and tried friendships, but we want to make new friendships.” He added regarding Czechoslovakia: “Certainly the Munich agreement made her territory smaller, but the Czech Republic can freely pursue its life. We will help it.” He emphasised the need for working out a basis of general settlement. In order to maintain peace, Frenchmen must consider themselves permanently mobilised. A number of deputies demanded a debate on M. Daladier’s statement, which M. Daladier'refused, saying he would make i't matter of a vote of confidence.