BRITAIN'S NEW POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1939, Page 8

BRITAIN'S NEW POLICY

FOLLOWING ON SEIZURE OF CZECH TERRITORY > Germany’s Violation of Solemn Pledges ACTION WITH TREMENDOUS REPERCUSSIONS MR CHAMBERLAIN ON GUARANTEES By Telegraph.—Press Association • -Copyright. (Received This Dav, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, May 19. Mr Chamberlain, in the course of liis speech in the in the House of Commons foreign affairs debate, said Britain’s policy had developed along* new lines after" the absorption (by Germany) of Bohemia and Moravia. “I don’t know,” he said, ‘‘whether the German Government itself realised, when it took that action, what tremendous repercussions it would cause abroad. I think that what profoundly disturbed the public mind everywhere, even more than the annexation, was the patent contradiction between those proceeding’s and the assurances which Germany frequently and solemnly g*ave to the world. ‘‘That contradiction completely undermined the sense of security throughout Europe and created a widespread feeling that the independence of no small nation was safe if it stood in the way of German ambition. It was in these circumstances that Britain thought it her duty, in conjunction with France, to intervene and try to supply a new stabilising factor. It was necessary to act quickly, because the apprehension of attack was acute in certain quarters. We took a course generally approved, acted ourselves promptly and gave the steadying support of assurances where these were most needed, ft will therefore be seen that the assurances we first gave Poland, Rumania and Greece were not the end of the measures in mind. ‘‘lt still remains to strengthen them by more permanent arrangements and by trying to obtain additional support from other quarters willing and able to help. This is not a policy of lining up opposing blocs of European Powers animated by hostile intentions against one another and accepting the view that war is inevitable. I shall never regard war ais 1 inevitable until it has beg*un. The policy of opposing blocs seems tons essentially unstable and therefore fundamentally dangerous. There is no element of aggression in our policy, which is one of precaution, operative under conditions under which others have power to make it unnecessary, but this 1 policy seems necessary at present because without it we don’t see any prospect of establishing a sense of security and stability in Europe.”

APPROACH TO SOVIET

MR CHAMBERLAIN DENIES PREJUDICE CO-OPERATION DESIRED & VALUED. SUGGESTED DIFFICULTIES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.4 a.m.) RUGBY, May 19. The Premier . (Mi- Chamberlain) in the course of the House of Commons debate, disposed again of the charge that Britain was impeded by som'e kind of ideological prejudice in her approach to the Soviet, and proceeded to deal faithfully with the suggestion that Britain sought to evade a reciprocity of obligation in the proposals she had put forward in Moscow. He insisted that Britain was not concerned at all with Russian internal political doctrine. She was solely concerned with the best method of building up a peace front and enlisting the co-operation and assistance of the Soviet.

“We want the Soviet’s co-operation and we attach value to it,” he said. He proceeded to ridicule the suggestion that Britain’s attitude was one of dis-; dain for Soviet assistance. He cited M. ; Stalin’s statement that the Soviet’s pol-

icy was support States which were the victims of 'aggression if they were prepared to defend their independence and said that since that was also Britain’s point of view, Britain felt it an indication that the Soviet ‘might be disposed to collaborate in carrying that common aim into effect. But, in approaching the question of such collaboration, Britain was also aware —and this Was a point for which Mr Chamberlain complained his critics made insufficient allowance—that the direct participation of the Soviet in security guarantees might not be altogether in accordance with the wishes of some countries for whose benefit or on whose behalf the ‘arrangements contemplated were be'ihg made. SOVIET DEMAND INSISTENCE ON PACT. GOVERNMENT TO REPLY NEXT WEEK. (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 19. "The Times” says M. Maisky (Soviet Ambassador) again declared that Russia insisted on a Three-Power Pact as the surest means of co-operation in the event of war. The Government hopes to reply to the Soviet next week, after consulting other governments.