BRITAIN WAITS GRIMLY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 August 1939, Page 6

BRITAIN WAITS GRIMLY

NO WAVERING IN ANY QUARTER Attitude of Dogged Defiance PEOPLE WEARY OF PERSISTENT THREATS TO PEACE NATION UNITED AS NEVER BEFORE (British Official Wireless.) fßeceived This Dav, 10.10 a.m.) RUGBY, August 28. British opinion remains firm and resolute behind the Government. There lias been no wavering' in any quarter and the Press assumes that today’s reply to Herr Hitler will confirm again Britain’s undertaking to Poland, which would be honoured with all her armed forces immediately an attack on her vital interests was resisted by Poland. “The Times.” after recalling Ministerial declarations that there was nothing at issue which might not be settled by negotiotion unhampered by threats of force, it confidence existed that fhe resulting settlement would be honoured, says the British position is absolutely clear. The main decision was taken long ago. The defection of the Soviet from the peace front has rallied old friends and brought some new ones. It has not affected in the slightest degree the pledges to Poland of Britain and France, which were never dependent on Russian help. The “Manchester Guardian” says Britain is more united in opinion today than in 1914. The “Daily Telegraph” says no compromise at Poland’s expense can be' entertained. Discussing the possibility of negotiation, it adds: “An agreement to be worth while must look beyond a temporary settlement of the Polish problem. The nations as a whole must know where they stand for the future.” The “Daily Herald” says: “In Its determination to honour its pledges even to the ultimate test of war. this nation is united as it never has been before.” Preparedness for Emergency While in every sphere of activity, official and unofficial, measures are proceeding apace, designed to place the country in a state of complete preparedness for an emergency, and more particularly in respect to civilian defence and air raid precautions, the public here awaits tomorrow’s meeting of Parliament and the Premier’s statement with a calm which seems to'arise from a feeling, confidently held, that Britain is ready for a trial of strength if it comes, and that the decision as.to peace or war lies elsewhere. Observers of popular sentiment are impressed by the way in which the deep abhorrence of war, so long uppermost with the British people, has been overlaid with an attitude of grim and dogged defiance, which is the reaction of a people who have become weary of repeated and persistent threats to peace and io the quiet of Europe. Discussion of what British policy is or should be has disappeared from the newspapers. It is now taken for granted, and even the former isolationist Press leaves its readers in no doubt, that the independence of Poland is an issue affecting the security of ail other European States, including Britain herself. There was a complete rehearsal of the evacuation of London school- children- today. Prolonged conferences took place today between Mr. ‘ Chamberlain, Mr, A. Greenwood (Deputy Labour Leader) and Sir A. Sinclair (Liberal Leader). It is understood that tomorrow’s meeting of Parliament is likely to be brief.