GUARANTEE OF PEACE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 October 1938, Page 5

GUARANTEE OF PEACE

FRIENDSHIP OF BRITAIN & FRANCE ADDRESS AT GATHERING IN LONDON HOPES OF AVERTING WAR By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. RUGBY, October 19. The benefits resulting from friendly co-operation between France and Britain and the need for continued co-op-eration were emphasised at a dinner yesterday of the United Associations of Britain and France. Lord Derby, a former ambassador in Paris, sent a message urging the need for strengthening these bonds and adding, “The friendship of our two countries is to my mind the sole guarantee of peace.” Sir Eric Phipps, the present British Ambassador in Paris, said that he fervently hoped and believed that the friendship between the two great countries would long continue. The closer it was, and the stronger each of the partners was, the more chance there would be for an extension, of that friendship to other and yet more different lands. Then perhaps would at length prevail that spirit of understanding and general co-operation for which all European peoples now yearned.

Lord Bessborough, after referring to their Majesties' visit to Paris, said that the two countries had passed through many critical times together, but that nothing would separate them now. Their friendship was at root the relations of two peoples. It was engraved in their hearts. The Marquis de Vogue, president of the Association France-Bretagne, said that a thorough understanding between Britain and France was indispensable for peace, and indeed for mankind at large. They had shown that, if they could win a war when united, they could also —which was better —prevent one.

There were extremely powerful links uniting the French and British people in the worship of the same ideal. They meant to keep true to their eternal faith in honour, justice and liberty.