THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 80, 1989
LORD HALIFAX BLAMES REICH
"Impossible To Negotiate With This Government”
London, To-day.
and no more than any other coun-quo unless there is also machinery try can Germany hope to solve her for bringing about peaceful change. economic problems in isolation.
ESSENTIAL UNITY
"To-day, when European nations are forgetful of their common cívi- lisation and are arming to the teeth, it is more important than ever be- fore that we should remind
"Through co-operation and we for our part are ready to co-operate there is ample scope for extend- ing to all nations the opportunity of a large economic life, with all that this means and is implied in the term lebensraum.
"If the world were organised on selves of the essential unity Italy need fear for their own sa- such lines, neither Germany nor European civilisation.
"Truly Europe is divided against can be built [fety, but no su force in a world}
society of nations | itself.
has to spend its substance in pre- which lives in fear of violence and paring to resist it.
our- of
"Our foreign policy must there- fore constantly bear in mind the
immediate present and the more
distant future.
"In the event of further aggression we are resolved to use at once the whole of our strength in ful- filment of our pledges to resist it.” This categorical statement was made by the For- eign Secretary, Lord Halifax, speaking last night at Chatham House to the Royal Institute of International Affairs. Lord Halifax continued: “We read mischievous mis- representations of our actions and our motives, which people in countries holding a different international philosophy think fit to make. “We read them with resentment,mically by her policy of racialism.cognition of every nation's rights knowing they are false and know- "If you deliberately isolate your to free enjoyment of its indepen-tary force is holding the world to ing that those who make them self you can blame nobody but your-dence. know it 'too.
self, and so long as this isolation- continues the inevitable consequen- ces thereof are bound to become stronger and more marked.
}
NOT UNNOTICED
"These things do not pass un- noticed here,
"The last thing we desire is to nor do provocative see the individual man, woman and insults offered to our fellow-child suffering privations, but if countrymen further afield.
they do the fault lies not with us,
"LEBENSRAUM”
(liv
WHEN THERE IS NO PEACE "It is idle to cry peace when there is no peace, or to pretend to reach a settlement unless it can be guar anteed by a reduction of warlike preparations and by assured
re-
"At this moment the doctrine of force bars the way to a settlement and fills the world with envy, ha- tred, malice and uncharitableness.
tions
•
•
TWIN FOUNDATIONS
foundations. One is the
"British policy rests on twin mination to resist force, and the deter- other our recognition of the world's desire to get on with the construc- tive work of building peace.
"But today the threat of mili-
ransom, and our immediate task is to resist aggression.
"I would emphasise that with all the strength at my command, so. that noone may misunderstand me.
DEEDS NOT WORDS
-
"And if we are ever to succeed
real promise of success b verbal undertakings...
cal grievances and economie. - dif- ficulties, whether in the interna tional or the colonial field.
COLONIES
the
"But if the doctrine of force were once abandoned, so that the "I say that Britain is not pre-and it depends upon the German fear of war that stalks the world pared to yield either to calumnies Government, and the German Gov-was lifted, all outstanding ques-in removing misunderstanding and or force.
ernment alone, whether this pro "Every insult offered our people, cess of isolating continues or not, solve, and the nations would then world can trust, it must be upon
would become easier to reaching a settlement which every ridicule made to what we for any day it can be ended by a be in a position to discuss with some basis more substantial value and are determined to depolicy of co-operation."
then fend, only unites us, increases our determination and strengthens our
"It has been said that deeds not loyalty to those others who share
words are necessary. That also is our feelings and aspirations.
our view.
ALIEN TO OUR CONCEPTION "Over a large part of the world, standards of conduct and ordinary human decency are being set aside. Things are being done which we can hardly read about without amazement, so alien are they, to our conception of how men should deal with their fellow men.
"The rules of conduct between nations are over-ridden with the same callous indifference as the rules of conduct between man and
man.
"At a time when our aims have. been constantly misrepresented, it is well to re-state them boldly and with plainness of speech.
TO STOP AGGRESSION
"Our first resolve is to stop aggression, and for that · reason and that reason alone we have joined with other nations to meet the common danger.
solved
Referring to "lebensraum"
"There must be give and take in that this policy was not ing space), Lord Halifax declared
practical form on both sides, for there can be no firm bargains on and could only be solved by wise ties of the colonial problem, or any crete in return for mere assurances." simply by acquiring more territory, "Whatever may be the difficul- the basis of giving something› con“. ordering of the affairs of the coun- other, I would not despair of find Earlier, Lord Halifax had re try at home and by adjusting and ing ways of settlement, once every-ferred to the agreements with Po improving its relations with other body had got the will to settle. land, Turkey, Greece and Rumania countries abroad.
"But, unless all countries do in- and expressed the hope that Nations expanded their wealth deed desire a settlement, discus- negotiations with Russia would very and raised their standard of living sions would only do more harm than shortly come to a successful issue. by gaining the confidence of their good.
He added:- neighbours, thus facilitating the flow of goods between them.
WE REJECT IT
OUR INDEPENDENCE THREATENED
the
"It is moreover impossible to negotiate with a Government whose |responsible - spokesman · brand a
friendly country as thieves and "We assumed these obligations blackmailers, and indulge daily in with a full understanding of their monstrous slanders on British po-causes and consequences. We know in-licy in all parts of the world. that if the security and independ
ence of other countries disappear our own security,
in- dependence will be gravely threatened.;
one
"The very opposite is likely be the consequence of action by nation in suppression of the dependent existence of her smaller "But if that spirit, which is clear- and weaker neighbours, and if le- ly incompatible with any desire for bensraum is to be applied in that a peaceful settlement, gave way to sense we reject it.
something different, His Majesty's
our own
"It is noteworthy that this claim Government would be ready to pool law and order is to be preserved,
to living space is being put for ward at a moment when Germany has become an immigration coun- try, importing workers in large "Those arrangements have no numbers from Czecho-Slovakia, other purpose than defence. They Holland and Italy to m mean what they say no more no
meet the needs of her industry and agricul less.
ture. "But they have been denounced as aiming at isolation, or as it is
"How then can Germany claim to be over-populated? called, encirclement of Germany and
"Belgium, Holland and, to a less Italy, and as designed to prevent extent, our own islands, have already them from acquiring the livingproved timt what is called space necessary for their national population can be prevented existence
productive workma
"What are the facta?
GERMANY ISOLATING
HERSELF"
READY TO CO-OPERATE
Econ
at the arnense
their best thought with others in order to end the present state of political and economic insecurity.
IMMENSE STRIDE
We know that if international we must be prepared to fight in
Its defence.
With every week that passes, our re-armament, effort gains -momen- tum and on every side of life. "If we could get so far, what an political, administrative and in- immense stride would be made. We dustrial-we have abundant evid- should have exorcised anxiety ence of how firmly this national which is cramping and arresting effort is driven and supported by business expansion, and we should the people's will have brought back the atmosphere
of abundente among nations:
"Our next task would be the re- construction of international order on a broader and firmer founda tion.
"Behind all military effort stands the British people, more united than ever, and at their service is wealth. and industrial resources."--Reuter. Trans-Océan adds that Lord Hali- faxs-speech, and the radio - broad- a reference to the League cast to be made by Mr. Neville far of Nations and the Covenant, Lord Chamberlain on Sunday are the Halifax continued: "It is not ugh first steps in a British counter- self to devise measures for preventing prop da campaign agai
the use of force to change the status
Ger