PEACE. OVERTURES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 June 1940, Page 6

PEACE. OVERTURES

RIDICULED BY MR CHAMBERLAIN Britain Absolutely Unitea and Resolute DENIAL OF DIFFERENCES WITH MR CHURCHILL NO TRUTH IN AMERICAN REPORTS (By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.26 p.m.) NEW YORK. June 28. The American Press features a copyright United Press interview with Mr Neville Chamberlain. “We are just at the beginning of the struggle,” Mr Chamberlain said, “and this would be the worst possible moment to enter’ on peace • negotiations, just when Hitler seems to hold all the cards. We do not believe he holds all the cards. We are going to put that to the test I know that no section of the Conservatives wants peace. We are absolutely united.” Mr Chamberlain waved aside reports that Sir Samuel Hoare had suggested that General Franco should sound out Hitler regarding peace terms and denied American reports of differences with Mr Churchill “most emphatically. There is no word of truth in that. Our relations are harmonious and cordial and our minds run in the same channel.” Mr Chamberlain said that if he resigned the Conservative Leadership, the party would unhesitatingly elect Mr Churchill. He added that he had no intention of resigning.. Mr Chamberlain heatedly ridiculed foreign reports that he was intriguing against Mr Churchill and said: “I have been scoffed at for saying so, but I still believe that time is on our side. Hitler is gambling on a short war. He is not sure of his people’s morale if they have to go through another war time winter, but in order to win he must conquer this island. That is a formidable undertaking, requiring reckless audacity. He will be very rash if he tries, but I think he will try. He will find us a tough nut to crack—too tough. We have a fighting spirit in this country. We not only are fighting for ourselves, but feel ourselves to be the trustees of civilisation. The Germans have no civilisation. It is medieval barbarism. We are not going to disgrace our ancestors by allowing that to sweep the world. ’ ’ Mr Chamberlain agreed that the tempo of British war preparations had increased since May 10, but said Hitler was the chief factor in this. “I always knew,” he said, “that we should not get a hundred per cent effort here until the bombs started falling. By invading Belgium and Holland, Hitler changed the war from static to dynamic. Every workman suddenly realised that the necessary supplies depended upon his individual efforts. The man at the bench, if he puts all into his work, has done more than any Government or Minister in speeding up production.”