APPEAL TO REASON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 August 1939, Page 6

APPEAL TO REASON

BROADCAST BY BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER i EUROPEAN ISSUES DISCUSSED NEED OF RESISTING POLICY OF FORCE. CAUSE OF JUST DEALING BETWEEN NATIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, August 24. “1 earnestly hope reason will prevail in face of the consequences of a resort to force and before an unretraetable step is taken. I pray that the Pope’s and President Roosevelt’s appeals may find a response in the hearts of men,’’ said the Foreign Minister (Viscount Halifax) broadcasting throughout the world along the lines of Mr. Chamberlain’s statement in the House of Commons. Tracing the history of the GermanPolish minority dispute, Lord Halifax said if causes of complaint existed, let them be coolly examined before world opinion was worked up to make a settlement a hundred times more difficult. "I am confident,” he continued, ‘‘that the Poles arc ready at all times to discuss their differences with Germany free from the menace of force. The problem ought not to be incapable of settlement, but the real difficulty springs from deper causes. It must be remembered that the life of all nations depends on mutual respect for each other’s rights. Britain throughout her history has felt bound to oppose the attempts of one Power to dominate Europe at the expense of another, for which reason we pledged our assistance to threatened countries, including Poland. It is not the British way to go back on obligations now that a possibility of conflict exists. We have made our position perfectly clear. The twin foundations of British policy are a determination to resist force and a desire to push on with the constructive work of building peace. This cannot be achieved until the gospel of force is abandoned. The adjustment of differences by negotiation instead of force, and respect for the pledged word are the principles we shall defend if trouble comes. We never have had nor have today the remotest intention of attacking Germany. If German policy could only be directed to restoring confidence by a willingness to negotiate, we should ask nothing better than to help her to resolve her difficulties and our own and world problems needing solution.” Lord Halifax continued: • ‘‘lf the British-German misunderstanding is to be removed, there must be some certainty about the future of Europe. Therefore, we feel obliged to resist an attempt to alter the map of Europe by force. If we fail to uphold the liberties of others, we run the risk of betraying the principle of liberty, our freedom and independence. I have no doubt that those on whom rests the issue of peace or war will measure their responsibilities to present and future generations before precipitating a struggle involving many nations of Europe, the duration of which cannot be foreseen and from which those standing aside from active participation will be vitally affected. "I feel certain that the Government's attitude will meet with the unanimous approval of the people. I have no doubt that the whole country will support the measures we may be obliged to take in defence of the cause of just dealing between nations and the preservation of honourable freedom in the world.” PRELIMINARY MOBILISATION ORDERED IN HOLLAND. (Received This Day. 9.40 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, August 24. Holland has ordered a preliminary mobilisation.