Page
"WE ARE NOT YET AT WAR” -
BUT, PROSPECT WILL EMERGE IN A FEW DAYS, OR WEEKS
London, To-day.
THE CHINA MAIL, AUGUST 25, 1939.
MIRROR OF WORLD
OPINION
UNITED EMPIRE Britain to display her armed might. That might may have been inadequate To-day both peace and freedom are threatened by aggressive and despotic during the September Crisis, but such as it was, it could have been displayed forces, and the Empire is meeting a challenge that must be faced unflinch much more impressively. Behind the words of gentle warning-gentle, not ingly. It must draw on spiritual of sources of strength as well as increase by British standards, but more than its armed power, and the world is gentle, that is to say, weak and irre- there looking to Britain and the Empire solute, by German standards for a leadership which is both moral was almost nothing visible that could
THE ONE DISCORDANT NOTE in the House
Commons debate yesterday afternoon was pro- vided by Mr. James Maxton, leader of the In- dependent Labour Party.
Mr. Maxton declared that the I.L.P. would not sup- outside, this can only be achieved by the British air force achieved formid-
port war.
The next speaker, Mr. Anthony Eden, declared that Mr. Maxton was not alone in hating war, but experience had shown that however far we might go to meet de- mands, the result was more domination and more ruth- less demands.
HALIFAX STATEMENT IN LORDS
as well
by
convince Hitler of this country's de- and material. If the enduring peace
termination. Since then, there has secured within the boundaries of the
only has Empire is to be extended to the world been a great chance. Not preservation of free thought, speech, able striking power, not only have the and action. Meanwhile, the peoples defences against air raids developed so of the Empire must shoulder the res- that no enemy can attack without the risk of losses so heavy that, in the ponsibilities and obligations, as cherish the rights, of free men and long run, they must prove ruinous to the enemy's air power, but this offen- Only by equal sacrifice and women.
displayed in the most unmistakable devotion can we effectively resist the sive and defensive capacity has been manner. The flights of British bomb- aggressive use of these qualities the Dictatorships. To-day pire stands united by common inter- ing planes over France are not a mere The situation, added Mr. Eden, was est, sentiments, and ideals, but these stunt, and not meant to do no more than participate in the celebrations of this can only prevail when strengthened by
strategic as grave and perilous as any
in their July 14. They are serious
and tactical manoeuvres, a grim re- country had faced at any time in its the final unity of service
cause."Sydney Morning Herald."
hearsal, in fact, of aerial operations history.
that may have to be undertaken against Germany before long. It is a mistake the Germans-and to suppose that
aware of Hitler especially are not this."Time and Tide."
"The gravest danger of war at the moment lies in the bellef of the German people that whatever action the German Government may take against Poland, that ac. tion will not result in war with this country or France. "In signing this pact with the German Government
miscalculation.
!
*
удво
the Em-
REACHING A CLIMAX This present week may very well prove to be the most fateful in the his- tory of the world, for it is quite like ly that before its end the decision of whether it shall be peace or war will Russia, have been taken. The crisis in Europe In the House of Lords,
has made over the fate of Danzig is rapidly ap- Hitler They proaching a climax, and Herr where the
decide whether packed, the Foreign Secre- thought that a consequence would be will shortly have to
London, To-day.
galleries were a very grave
*
*
EMPIRE WILL SUPPORT BRITAIN !
In practice almost the entire British
tary, Lord Halifax, yesterday that we would go back on our pledge he will hold his hand or plunge Europe Empire can be relied upon to come to
afternoon made a statement on similar lines to that of Mr. Neville Chamberlain in the House of Commons.
"In regard to Lord Halifax said: the German minority, I would say this. Every country must be concern- .ed to secure just treatment for minor- ities and must naturally feel particu-
to Poland.
"That was unthinkable.
and perhaps the whole world into war, the aid of Britain in the event of a
the
TROUBLE AHEAD
The technique of last year is being STRANGE ERROR
copied. German faithfully "It was strange that the
German about In leaders should know so little
a veritable history--that the greater the odds and press
the whirlwind of hate SO difficulties the greater the stronger becomes our determination to is being displayed pledge against the Poles, stand by those to whom we
and the usual cres- our word."
Mr. McGovern (Independent Lab- cendo of tales of larly interested in minorities allied to our) said he was not dismayed by the atrocities wreaked
"Noone in this country would wish Russo-German pact because he believ- upon Germans in Poland is just about can exercise her most immediate pres-
it by race.
to defend conditions under which such treatment is denied to any minority section.
"But if causes for complaint ex-
că it desirable to know who were our enemies.
He had no use for treachery and double-dealing of any kind. Mr. McGovern added that he took the view last year that one country in the world that desired war Russia.
GRIM FACT
was
ist, let them not be made the ground for such embitterment of the atmos phere as must make any settlement a hundred times more difficult, but let them fairly and dispassionately be
Mr. L. S. Amery (Conservative) brought to examination so that be-
declared the situation was one which fore the public opinion of the world called for action. In all sobriety he some ground may be established for thought we ought to face the their consideration and redress."
fact that we were almost certain to be confronted within a few days or a few weeks with the prospect
"MOST BRAVE"
Lord Snell (Labour) described Lord Halifax's statement as "most brave," and said the Labour Party was only no words would be concerned that used which would give any sort of
war.
grim
of
That being so, it would be madness on our part not to take every mea- comfort to those who were hoping to sure that would be required if war,
see in England a disunited people.- Reuter,
PRESSURE
ON STERLING
New York, To-day. Pressure put on forward Sterl- ing on the New York foreign ex-- changé market yesterday, espe- cially on near-by months, was intensified in the afternoon coin- cident with 'rumours of impend- the ing drastic restrictions on London foreign exchange mar- ket.
Discount is the widest since Britain suspended the gold stan- dard.
Weakness was most pronoun- ced and the Sterling cheok-rate is now quoted at 1-1/8 per cent.— Reuter.
For anchoring their sampáns within at 100 yards of Stonecutters Island 9.10 a.m. yesterday, four sampan owners were this morning fined $5 or 10 days each by Mr. E. Himsworth at Kowloon.
came.
Mr. Amery declared that the Prime Minister should equip himself with a small Cabinet of men capable of facing the appal- ling task with which they were likely to be confronted.
1
"We have plenty of trouble to look for, both in Europe and In Asia."Mr. Cordell Hull.
war. The only Dominion both willing and able to remain neutral is South Africa.
Ireland would like to be neutral but probably will not be able to be- cause it is on Ire- land that England
Canada must be expected to reaching the utmost fortissimo pos- sure. sible in the German controlled news- hurry to England's side more or less papers. There is no likelihood of the quickly, while "Red" New Zealand is world accepting a fait accompli with likely to join in from the very begin- regard to Danzig, if Poland cares to ning for ideological reasons. resist. If Danzig is left alone there fluence of the pro-English upper class will be no war; if it is sought to in- should ensure India's assistance, though clude it in the Reich and Poland de- the anti-English lower class might cides to fight, there will be war, but render the assistance partly ineffec- the real decision rests with Herr Hit - tive.. ler, and to abandon his present posi- tion would be to admit a defeat.- "North China Daily News."
*
*
IRONY AT GDYNIA
The in-
Australia in the case of a purely European war, will see her way to making some gesture on behalf of London. If the conflict extends to the Pacific, however, Australia will try to keep herself out of the line of fire.-- "National Zeitung," Essen.
*
悟
雅
BRITISH FLAG
INFURIATES
Everybdoy, even the British, know,
One of those ironies which are per- haps more entertaining than instruc- tive, and yet are instructive too, smiles The German press is opposing the grimly out of the Danzig controversy. argument, recently officially accepted by Britain, that Danzig is vital to Poland by pointing out that Poland has another port in Gydnia, and that, indeed, Poland's rpose in building that the British flag flying over the
paralyze Danzig. Rock of Gibraltar up Gdynia was No doubt many purposes lay behind Spaniards Replying to the debate, Mr. Cham-Polish development of Gdynia-ope of other berlain said: "We are not yet at war. which quite naturally was to insure an do Perhaps we may escape war, but outlet for Polish goods on the Baltic their house what we wanted to do was to show should Danzig ever cease to serve as a blonde
time of such. But one of the original motivat- the North Sea. to the world that in this
As in our
maining factors for the construction of a
as long crisis we
Spain
weak, port at Gdynia is authoriatively re-
of Gibraltar was a source of strength to purpose.
"I, who at this moment carry per-corded to have been the refusal haps a greater responsibility than any Danzigers to handle arms and ammuni- Britain. Now that Spain is rapidly when that turning into a military power of the you to tion supplies for Poland member of this House, ask conclude this debate and get on with country was threatened with a Bolshe- first rank Gibraltar is becoming
vik invasion.
UNITED NATION
are united
the action that we are here to take to give the world that notice of our unity which we desire to give." Reuters!
DANZIG ARRIVAL
Danzig, To-day, The former German battleship "Schleswig-Holstein," now a cadet training ship, will arrive in Danzig harbour at 8 a.m. to-day.
The warship will anchar. In harbour canal at Neufahrwasser. Trans-Ocean.
infuriates the and annoys all the Mediterranean peoples, who not see why, the door of should be kept by people with a house
source of weakness.
was
on
2
Gdynia therefore seems to have more Without writing Gibraltar off com- claim to being an anti-Comintern city pletely, it may safely be said that 50 per cent. of its than has Danzig and therefore would it has lost appear to be more "eligible" for in- defensive value and from 70 to 75 clusion in the Greater Reich! But per cent. of its offensive value. perhaps it is too early to talk of that.
“Christian Science Monitor."
#
We
do not believe that the air-raid shelt- ers which Britain is feverishly · con- structing at Gibraltar. and the new batteries with which she is, equipping A STRONGER BRITAIN
the Rock can balance the concrete One of the reasons for the catas- factors of the new situation in the of Mediterranean created by the imperial the trophe that goes under the name
"Munich" (a name that has become ambitions of the new Spain. -"Popolo generie) was the failure of Great d'Italia," Rome.