NEW WORLD WANTED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 October 1939, Page 7

NEW WORLD WANTED

BRITISH PARTY LEADERS ON PEACE AIMS PRIME MINISTER SUPPORTED. CHOICE OFFERED TO GERMAN PEOPLE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 12. Endorsing in the House of Commons Mr Chamberlain’s reply to Herr Hitler, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr C. R. Attlee) said: "Britain went to the extreme limit of forbearance before it took up arms. It has shown abundantly its desire for peace. It has shown its willingness to discuss every grievance. At any time, if Herr Hitler had wished, he could have discussed the problem of frontiers, the problem of colonies, the problem of raw materials, or the problem of disarmament. He chose instead the path of violence and force. “I think the German people should know that at any time they can get peace, but they must abandon methods of aggression.’’ Having said that Labour adhered to the party’s declared policy of disarmament and collective security, Mr Attlee added: — “We must get a new world. We must get a new Europe, in which the rights of all nations are recognised. I was glad to hear the Prime Minister say that we should do it in consultation with the German people. "We are standing for a Europe in which, while the German people will have their rights, all other nations will have their rights, too. We believe we can build up a new world, but it must be a new world which is based on the principles of democracy and which demands of peoples that they should regard the rights of others as well as their own rights. "I think we should let the German people know the choice before them. It is not a choice of being defeated in the war and disappearing as effective members of the European comity of nations. They have the choice of stopping this war, and they have the choice of contributing to a better Europe. "We must pursue the struggle with resolution, because a patched-up peace would only lead to another war and leave the uneasy world staggering under a huge burden of armaments. 'We must see that we come out of this struggle with nothing less than a new world.” "We have a right and a duty to condemn manifestations of barbarism, but it is not for us to chastise another people for its form of government,” said Sir Archibald Sinclair (Liberal leader). "The German people must have the means of setting their own house in order, but they must cease to impose their tyranny on their neighbours. "The Prime Minister has today proclaimed that we are fighting for the liberation of Europe from Nazi tyranny. I would like him to add also the liberation from the burden and danger of national armaments and for the rebuilding of the European order based on law. justice and good faith. ’ OPINION IN FRANCE HITLER’S REPORTED DECISION. ALL MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO PROSECUTE WAR. LONDON October 13. The French Press praises Mr Chamberlain’s speech, singing out his declaration that the war must continue unless Germany gives effective guarantees for peace. The Italian wireless stations gave long summaries of the speech and one newspaper published the full text in a special edition. The German stat inns last night ignored the speech.

The Berlin correspondent of .the Swedish newspaper, “Tidningen” says that Herr Hitler has decided that the speech constitutes a definite “No” to his peace offer, and he has therefore taken “all measures to prosecute the war.” Orders have already been issued to all large Rhineland towns to prepare for evacuation. The newspaper adds that Herr Hitler’s decision followed a lengthy conference in the Chancellery at which Herr Hitler and the Nazi leaders carefully studied Mr Chamberlain’s speech. Mi’ Chamberlain was considered to have “torpedoed Herr Hitler’s peace efforts,” and Berlin therefore believes that peace is no longer possible and responsibility for continuing the war lies with Mr Chamberlain.

An official wireless message states that on October 21 the greater number of 250,000 men in Britain who have been made liable for military service by the calling up of the age groups 20 to 22 years will attend at local labour exchanges to register.

Mr Chamberlain will broadcast on Saturday on the latest phase of the international situation.

The "New York *Times” and the "New York Herald-Tribune” appear with eight-column headings declaring that Herr Hitler has now ordered the war to begin in earnest, a radio report states.

The "Chicago Tribune” comments that the Allies prefer to sit tight. They seem to calculate that that is the one thing Herr Hitler cannot do, and they count on him doing something foolish ajid making still another mistake. Other United States newspaper comment says that Mr Chamberlain has talked to the German people over Herr Hitler’s head. It is a strong, simple and shrewd statement. As for HenHitler, he has never offered peace. . The “Toronto Globe” says that the speech has left no margin for quibbling. Till the German Government gives. a prompt demonstration of its intention to live peacefully with its neighbours the Allies have no alternative but to continue the fight.

Rome and Scandinavian comment is that the speech contains no surprises. The Rome comment adds that it is not a definite refutation of the possibility of peace, though it maintains a definite point of view. / "The Times" says that Mr Chamberlain had not made his speech without a solemn sense of responsibility and without full consciousness of its full implication. It, adds: "This generation has resolved to sacrifice itself in order to secure a tolerable existence for posterity.”

French comment is that the speech does not close the door to peace, but none of the conditions laid down by Herr Hitler could permit the Allies to lay down their arms without loss of honour.