EFFORTS FOR PEACE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 August 1939, Page 8

EFFORTS FOR PEACE

BROADCAST BY FRENCH PREMIER DEFENCE OF THE RIGHTS OF SMALL NATIONS. HOPES THAT WISDOM & REASON MAY PREVAIL. (Received This Day, 12.1 p.m.) PARIS, August 25. The Premier, M. Daladier, broadcasting to the nation, said: “All my efforts are being directed towards averting war and I still believe that by free and loyal negotiations the worst will not happen. The Danzig question has menaced peace only because it affects the life and liberty of Poland. If we permit the murder of small countries and allow a spirit of domination in Europe it would soon be directed against France. "It is necessary to assure the liberty and independence of all nations. If this were refused, it would be a crime against humanity and honour. Britain and her Empire are assembling their forces just as we are ourselves. France and Britain form a single bloc to defend liberty. Let us hope, in this solemn hour, that despite everything, wisdom and reason will prevail, but if all efforts are useless we appeal to the courage and will to undergo hardships of all Frenchmen.” M. Daladier paid a tribute to Britain's resolution and commended the appeals for peace of King Leopold of Belgium, the Pope and President Roosevelt.

ACTIVE DEFENCE MEASURES OF PRECAUTION IN BELGIUM. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) BRUSSELS, August 25. Cabinet has decided on immediate security measures in order “to place the country in a condition of active defence.” MAKING FOR HOME MANY BRITONS RETURNING FROM CONTINENT. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, August 25. Air liners are crammed with Britons returning from the Continent. Those coming from Germany are optimistic, and say nothing will happen until Poland starts shooting. AVERTING WAR ITALY TO CONTINUE EFFORTS. (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) ROME, August 25. Signor Virgino Gayda, in the “Giornale d’ltalia,” states that Italy has not exhausted diplomatic moves to avert war. He adds: “Italy will continue to operate to the last useful hour for a return to reason and justice.” All Italian line ships are remaining in their ports. The banks have banned the cashing of sterling cheques, fearing that the British banks will not honour them in the event of war. FRENCH COMMUNISTS PARTY BREAKING UP. SEVERAL LEADERS RESIGN. (Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) PARIS. August 25. The police have confiscated the Communist newspaper “Le Soir.” This action is believed to be on account of trie newspaper lauding the RussianGerman agreement. The French. Communist Party is reported to be breaking up. Several leaders have resigned. After the police occupation of the “Le Soir” building the Communist headquarters were searched. BRITISH TERRITORIALS I LEAVING LONDON WITH FULL WAR EQUIPMENT. ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS PROMINENT (Received This Dav. 12.45 p.m.) LONDON. August 25. Territorials are leaving London depots in full war equipment, in which new anti-aircraft guns are prominent. The telephones are choked. The heaviest delays occur on long distance lines while it is increasingly difficult to raise the Continent. Many big Lon- i don buildings, including the Mansion ' House, are sandbagged. Hundreds of i ' the members of the Womens Auxiliary 11 Array have been called up. I <