BRITAIN'S STAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 April 1939, Page 5

BRITAIN'S STAND

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY PRESS Complete Reversal of Policy (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 1. Press comment in London on Mr Chamberlain’s statement in the House of Commons is unanimously approving. “The Times” points out that the Nazi violence of method has created an intense conviction, particularly among the democratic countries, that international dealings will degenerate into the habits of the jungle if differences between larger and smaller nations continue to be settled by reliance on threats or the use of brutal force. The paper emphasises that the historic importance of the British Government’s declaration is that it commits them to stand for fair and free negotiations. “Mr Chamberlain’s statement, continues "The Times,” involves no blind acceptance of the status quo but the stand which Britain and France are making is simply for a return to decent and normal methods of diplomacy..

“Any statesman at present who takes up an attitude differing ever so slightly from what is expected of him in Berlin runs the risk of being notdd as an enemy of the Reich and marked down for harsh treatment if German influence should ever become dominant in his country. This crude terroristic argument will, it may be hoped, now lose most of its efficacy and the minor States of Europe, associating themselves with the movement started by Britain, France and Poland, may henceforth feel that they have a solid safeguard for fair negotiation. This country has never been an advocate of the encirclement of Germany, but other States have the right to live their own lives. They have the same claim as the Reich to be free.” The “Daily Telegraph” says: "Here is a plain proclamation that the frontier of this country is no longer the Rhine but -the region of the Vistula and that we shall regard an attack upon that frontier as an attack upon ourselves. A more complete reversal of policy tenaciously adhered to over many decades it would be impossible to imagine. A military commitment, which we refused even to France, our next door neighbour and political ally, before 1914 and after 1918, and indeed right down to January of this year, we now grant outright to a country at the other end of Europe. Thus have we finally broken the last link with the 1930 era of splendid isolation and now for the first time do we assume military as well as political engagements on the Continent.”

The “News Chronicle” says that Mr Chamberlain’s announcement is welcomed with great relief.

CLEAR MEANING

FOREIGN OFFICE STATEMENT. NO DESIRE TO INFLUENCE POLISH CONDUCT. By Telegraph —Press Association —Copyright LONDON, April 1. The Foreign Office today issued a statement declaring that official quarters are surprised at attempts made in London to minimise Mr Chamberlain’s statement in the House of Commons. It is regarded as being of outstanding importance, its meaning being perfectly clear and categorical.

Official quarters feel no doubt that the Polish Government will wish to keep the British Government fully informed though Britain does not seek in any way to influence Polish conduct or her relations with Germany.

The Polish Ambassador conferred for an hour with Lord Halifax today.

MR EDEN’S APPROVAL

IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT WITH DECLARATION.

APPEAL FOR GREATER UNITY.

LONDON, April 1

Speaking in Newcastle today, Mr Anthony Eden expressed complete agreement with Mr Chamberlain’s statement on Poland, and said that he was convinced that it would be endorsed by the whole nation.

“I warmly resent the intolerable suggestion that in anything I have said I nave sought to imply the existence of differences between those responsible for the conduct of foreign affiairs,” added Mr Eden. He closed his speech by appealing for a still greater measure of national unity.

Lord Samuel, speaking in Yorkshire, expressed the Liberals' approval for Mr Chamberlain’s statement, and said that there was no desire to hem Germany in economically. He was sure that the statement would be warmly welcomed and approved by the whole people, irrespective of party.

Mr Morrison, a Labour member of Parliament, speaking in Taunton, said that the statement of the Prime Minister was all in the right direction. “I hope that the smaller Powers will be willing to play their part in this new development,” he added.