PRIME MINISTER DEFINES BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 April 1939, Page 7

PRIME MINISTER DEFINES BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE

Full Support in Event of Attack During Interim Period

FRANCE TAKING SAME STAND

(British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) RUGBY, March 31

The Prime Minister’s promised statement on the international situation was made to a crowded House of Commons this afternoon. Mr Chamberlain said: “The British Government has no official confirmation of rumours of any projected attack on Poland and must not therefore be taken as accepting them as true. lam glad to take thi§ opportunity of stating again the general policy of the British Government. We have constantly advocated an adjustment by way of free negotiations between the parties concerned of any differences that may arise between them. We consider this is the natural and piopei. course where differences exist. “In our opinion, there should be no question incapable of solution by peaceful means and we would see no justification for the substitution of force or threats of force for a method of negotiation.

“As the House is aware, certain consultations are now proceeding with other Governments. In order to make perfectly clear the position of the British Government in the meantime, before those consultations are concluded, I now have to inform the House that during that period, in the event of any action which clearly threatened Polish independence and which the Polish Government accordingly considered it vital to resist with its national forces, the British Government would feel bound at once to lend the Polish Government all support in its power. We have given the Polish Government an assurance to this effect. I may add that the French Government has authorised me to make it plain that it stands in the same position in this matter as the British Government.”

Replying to a supplementary question, Mr Chamberlain said: “I think the statement makes it clear that what I have said is meant to cover what I may call an interim period. The Government, as already announced, is in consultation with various Powers including, of course, the Soviet Government, and the Foreign Secretary saw the Soviet Ambassador this morning and had a very full discussion with him on the subject and I have no doubt the principles on which we are acting are fully understood and appreciated by that Government. As the House is aware, we are expecting a visit next week from Colonel Beck and there will then be an opportunity for discussing with him various, further measures that may be taken in order to accumulate the maximum amount of co-operation in any efforts that may be made to put an end to aggression, if aggression were intended and substitute for it more reasonable and orderly methods of discussion.”

The Prime Minister added that the Dominions had been kept fully informed.

After Mr Chamberlain had spoken Mr Thurtle (Labour) said: “There may be another Prime Minister who can take charge of affairs of this country in this grave hour but if Mr Chamberlain is genuinely and sincerely convinced, _without mental reservation, that it is necessary to pursue a new policy of rallying the friends of peace, I think, in view of his world reputation as a man of peace, he is probably the best man for the job.” (Ministerial and some Labour cheers) The House adjourned.