Approval of Herr Hitler's Speech

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 February 1939, Page 6

Approval of Herr Hitler's Speech

REFERENCES TO VISIT TO ROME FASCIST RETIREMENT FROM SPAIN ANTICIPATED (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.18 a.m.) RUGBY, January 31

The House of Commons was crowded in anticipation of the foreign affairs debate, which was opened by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr C. R. Attlee) immediately after questions. Mr Chamberlain, commenting on Herr Hitlei s speech, sai -I do not pretend to have had time to examine with care every phrase in it but I can say this-I very definitely got the impression that it was not the speech of a man who was preparing to throw Europe into another crisis.” , The Prime Minister welcomed passages in Herr Hitlers speec regarding his desire tor mutual confidence and co-operation between Britain and Germany and gave an assurance that these sentiments were fully shared by the British Government and people No negotiations, he said, were at present contemplated with the German Government, but the British Government had been glad to observe that discussions on various industrial matters had taken place recently between representatives of industries in both countries. Replying to a point raised by Mr Attlee, Mr Chamberlain reiterated his belief that intervention in Spain was unwise and would tend to extend conflict in Europe. He also stated that he had received assurances (from both Germany and Italy that these countries had nothing to seek from Spain once the civil war was over. Mr Chamberlain declared that the Government’s rearmament efforts were now beginning to result in Enormous additions to the armed strength of Britain. “Our( prestige abroad has never been higher than it is today, and our friendship has never been more eagerly desired," Mr Chamberlain said. “It is not true that appeasement had failed.• On the contrary, it is succeeding steadily. The Rome visit strengthened Anglo-Italian friendship without weakening our relations with France, which are closer and more animated than within memory and are based on mutual confidence.”