1939-03-21 — Page 9

THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 21, 1939

DISILLUSIONMENT

BRITISH

OF

GOVERNMENT

LORD HALIFAX'S PLAIN SPEAKING IN THE LORDS

London, To-day.

"1.

SIX YEARS ESPIONAGE TERM

Los Angeles, To-day. Michael Gorin, manager of the Los Angeles branch of Intourist, the Soyict tourist agency, was yesterday sentenced to six years imprisonment and a fine of $10,-. 000 on a charge of espionage.— Reuter.

ARBITRARY ACTION

A NEW PHASE?

Lord Halifax recalled that Hitler in September appealed to the prin- ciple of self-determination. That principle was now rudely contradict- ed by a sequence of acts which deni- ed the very right on which the German attitude was based.

Whatever was true about the treatment of 250,000 Germans, it was impossible to believe it could only be remedied by the subjuga- tion of eight million Czechs.

"Are we to believe that German policy has entered a new phase directed at domination of non- German peoples? Such grave ques- tions are being asked in all parts of the world.

freedom and self-government. Our] **The German occupation of record had nothing in common with Czecho-Slovakia has been furthered the suppression of liberty.

by new methods. The world has lately seen more than once a new True" we had always recognised departure in the field of interna- South-Eastern Europe than we that Germany was more interested tional technique...

“In the face of the grave issues with which we are concerned, party differences seem to dis- appear," declared the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, amid cheers when making his state- ment on Central Europe in the House of Lords yesterday. It was quite true, he continued, that recent events had been a profound shock to all thinking people in this country and far outside it. Lord Halifax observed that it was "surely not with-in

out significance that two towns were occupied ourselves, but the position entire encouragement of separatism, not by German S.S. detachments on the evening of changed when we were con-only in the interests of separatist fronted with the arbitrary sup-elements but in the imperial inter- March 14 while the President and Foreign pression of an independent sover-ests of Germany. Minister of Czecho-Slovakia were still on the eign State by armed force and in way to Hitler and before any discussion had of international conduct. taken place.”

violation" of the elementary rules

"Countries are now faced with

STANDS WARNED "These methods are simple, and with growing experience quite un- mistakeable.

"Have we any

assurance that

Goy-

Referring to the Opposition state- ment that Mr. Chamberlain's policy Dealing with Hitler's procla- presented with an ultimatum, un-at Munich was a personal policy, mation declaring the former der the threat of violence, and that Lord Halifax said that if by that they will not be employed else- where? Every neighbour of Ger- Czech territory under German they capitulated in order to save was meant it was a policy to which protection, Lord Halifax said:

many is now uncertain of to-mor- their people from the horrors of the Premier had given every, ounce "It should be noted that while swift, destructive aerial bombard-of energy, imagination and resolu-values national identity and sover- row, and every country which the head of the administration] ment."

tion he possessed, he would not dis-eignty stands warned against the now to be set up is said to hold Lord Halifax maintained that agree. the rank of head of State, and the plea that Germany was in some "But if it is suggested that

danger from within inspired from it without. while the Protectorate is said to danger from Czecho-Slovakia could was a policy pursued without the

"I am glad the Rumanian be autonomous and self-govern- not be seriously maintained in any fullest co-operation of myself as ernment has denied that report that ing, there is to be a Resident in quarter.

Foreign Secretary and every mem-went so far as to speak of an ulti- Prague with full powers of veto He added: "I could wish that ber of His Majesty's. Government, matum, but it is not surprising that on legislation.

instead of the explanations which then I must take leave to oppose a the Rumanian and other Govern- DISMEMBERMENT COMPLETE have been issued, and which carry most emphatic contradiction.".

ments view with gravest misgivings "Foreign affairs and the pro-scant conviction, German superior (Loud ministerial cheers in which the happenings of the

past tection of nationals abroad de-force had been frankly acknow- Members in the Commons gallery days." volve on the German Government,]ledged as the supreme arbiter that joined).

Lord Halifax described the mea- which will maintain a military in fact it was.

PURPOSES OF MUNICH sures to relieve the refugee situa- garrison and establishments in the "In these circumstances His Ma-

There were two purposes of the tion, and said the Government would Protectorate.

jesty's Government thought it fit Munich settlement, first to effect a continue to do whatever they could "The Protectorate ́is bound to immediately to take certain action."

settlement as fair as might be in all to mitigate the consequences of re- Germany by a customs union,

POSTPONEMENT OF TALKS the extremely difficult circumstan- cent events, but it is quite plain. and the German Government can

Lord Halifax then referred

to ces.

that the success of anything

"As a result of these several actions the dismemberment of Czecho-Slovakia may therefore be said now to be complete."

NOT INDEPENDENTLY

few

we

issue decrees and take any mea- the immediate suspension of the "I have no doubt whatever that attempt depends on the attitude of sures for the preservation of visit to Berlin of Mr. Oliver Stan- the Government were right in the the German Government.. peace and order.

ley (President of the Board of light of all information available Trade) and Mr. B. S. Hudson (Se- to them to take the course

PROFOUND SHOCK they

"In years past the British people cretary for. Overseas Trade), "by did." (Cheers).

desired to be on friendly terms with means of which it had been hoped The second purpose was to bring the German people. Our people His Majesty's Government could more. security for the people of were not backward in recognising directly intervene in those unofficial Europe on the basis of freely ac-some of the mistakes of the Ver- Dealing with the grounds on contacts of industrial representa cepted consultations as a means by sailles Treaty, which needed re- which the Germans attempted tives which were taking place at which all future differences might medying, but each time in the last to justify their action, Lord, that very moment.

be adjusted.

few years that there has been 4 Halifax said:

"We felt and feel now that in "That long-term purpose has chance of making progress in un- "I find it impossible to believe the circumstances, any developbeen, as we can all observe, disas-derstanding, the German Govern- that the sudden decision of cer-ment of our efforts in that direc-trously belied by events."

ment has taken action which made tain Slovak leaders to break off tion was frankly out of the ques- As to the charge of too readily progress impossible. from Prague was reached

in-tion, and that and many other believing Hitler's assurances, Lord "Shortly after Munich,' measures dependently of outside influence." things had to be and must remain Halifax said that neither the Pre- were taken by Germany which gave

After giving a further narrative indefinitely postponed.”

mier nor Himself had failed to be a profound shock to world opinion. of events, Lord Halifax. declared: SUPPRESSION OF LIBERTY acutely conscious of the difference "All initiative towards closer "It is difficult to avoid the conclu- After referring to the recall of between beliefs and hopes.

economic collaboration has been sion that the bulk of incidents that the British Ambassador to report, HITLER'S PRINCIPLES frustrated by Germany's action last occurred before the German inva- Lord Halifax said: "I think we can "We have always acted with, the week, and it is difficult to say when Fion were deliberately invoked and claim that we have left the German knowledge that only with time can it can easily be resumed. the effects greatly magnified. Government in doubt as to the our hopes be converted into sure "The British Government have.

"It is not necessary to say much attitude of His Majesty's Govern- bellefs."

not failed to draw a moral from about the assertion that the Czech ment, and although I do not cherish Turning to Hitler's actions, Lord these events, and have lost no President freely assented to the any exaggerated hopes of what may Halifax said: "In his actions, un-time in placing themselves in close. subjection of his people.

be the effect, it was right that pro- til after Munich, a case could have practical consultation with the THE SUPREME, ARHITER tests should have been registered" been made that Hitler had been Dominions and other governments "In view of the circumstances in Lord Halifax then referred to the true to his own principles-the ex-concerned on the issues which which he went to Berlin, and of the German apologists trying to justify clusion of non-Germans from the have suddenly been made so plain. occupation of parts of Czecho- their action by reference to the past Reich and so forth-principles he "History records many attempts Slovakia which had already taken history of the Empire.

has now overthrown.

|to impose domination .on place, most sensible people would He said the principle on which the "In the inclusion of eight million but all have terminated in disaster. conclude that there was little pre-British Empire was conducted was Czechs under the German Reich he The German people, if history is tence at negotiation, and that it was self-government, and wherever we had surely been untrue to his old any guide, may regret the action more probable that the Czechs were had been we had left a trail of philosophy.

against Czechá Stovakis.

"

Europe