1938-10-04 — Page 19

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1938.

PREMIER DEFENDS MUNICH ACCORD Mixed Reception for Neville Chamberlain' In House of Commons Debate

MIR. ALFRED DUFF COOPER

Admiralty Leader's Statement

Mr. Duff Cooper Tells Why He Rosigned

LONDON, Oct. 3.

MR. ALFRED

ELEMENTS FOR PEACE OR WAR AT CONVERSATIONS

LONDON, Oct. 3.

THE PREMIER received a loud and long ovation

from Ministerial and Government bonchos where he rose to speak at 3.31 p.m. Mingled cheers and hissos came from the Opposition banchas.

The Prime Minister asked to be excused from

Duff answering Mr.

Cooper immediately, "though I have nothing to withdraw, or regret.' Mr. Chamberlain then delivered a long speech on the current situation and the progress of affairs.

"When we gathered here last Wednesday we sat under the shadow of an imminent menace," he declared. "To-day we all join in thankfulness that the prayers of millions have been answered. Upon members of the Cabinet the strain and responsibility of the last few weeks has been almost overwhelming. Some of us will carry marks of it for the rest of our days.

Mr. Chamberlain paid a tribute; to the courage, patience and wisdom of Lord Halifax, whose DUFF

lofty conception of his duty not COOPER, First Lord only to England but to the whole of the Admiralty, was of humanity was an example to cheered by Opposition mem- all,

The Prime Minister continued with bers when he rose in Parlia- jan analysis-of the position when the ment to-day to explain his Munich Conference began and added resignation from

thehut time was the essential factor.

"All the elements were present at Cabinet.

that spot for an outbreak which might have precipitated a catastrophe, und He declared that British it was essential, therefore, that the foreign policy should be made members should reach a conclusion plain to other countries. This, and that this painful and difficult

in the recent crisis, the Govern-operation of transfed out at the

ment had failed to do,

areas should be

the Sudelen

earliest possible thoment." Mr. "We were drifting day by day Chamberlin then proceeded to cani- into a war with Germany," he said, pare the terms put forward by Ger- "We never said until the last many at Godesberg, which were re- moment, and then in an uncertainjected by the Czech Government, and fashion, that we were prepared to the terms of the agreement signed fight. Yet we know that informa-of Munich. tion to the opposite effect was be ing poured into the ears of the Ger man leaders,

"The Government kl language which dictators

not une under- stand. The language used by the Prime Minister and Sir John Simon meant nothing to persons with mentality like that of Herr Hitler or Signor Mussolini."

charged

IL

the

Mr. Duff Cooper Prime Minister with not making the British position plain when he visited Herr Hitler at Berchtesgaden,

"When the British Government did send a message stating its attitude. that message contained at least three qualifying clauses. When Herr Hitler, began to show signs of relaxing his position he hiready knew of the Mobilisation of the British feel.

at

"It is on the difference between these two documents that will depend the judgment whether we were successful in what we sei out to do-namely to find an orderly Instead of a violent method carrying out an agreed decision." (Cheers,)

of

WAS AN ULTIMATUM The

Godcaberg memorandum, though east in the form of proposals, was, in fact an ultimatum with n time limit,

"On the other hand the Munich Agreement reverted to the Anglo- French plan and laid down conditions

for the

Opposition side.

ར

"We

declared Mr. Chamberlain.

"I have nothing to be ashamed of," have received from the Czech Gov- ernment an appeal to help raise a han of thirty million pounds to be guaranteed by the British Govern-

ment.

"The British Government is in- forming the Czech Government that we prepared

are

to Immediately arrange for the advance of ten Imillion pounds which will be put at the Czech Government's disposal for their urgent needs. (Cheers,)

"As far as we are able to ascer- tain the Czech Government has not addressed a similar request to any other Government:

"Hard things have been said about the German Chancellor 10- day and in the past, but I think that to-night the House ought to recognise that it is dimeuli for man in that position to take back he such an emphatic declaration as had already made and consenting at the last moment to discuss with representatives of other Powers those things which he had already decided once and for all. It was a real and substantial contribution to pract.

at

MUSSOLINI'S CONTRIBUTION "Signor Mussolini's contribution was certainly noluble, too, and per- haps decisive.

"It was

Signor Mussolini's sugestion that the final stages of Mobilisation were postponed for 24 hours to give the Powers the oppor- tunity to discuss the situation, and at the Conference itself the Duce and Count Clano were most helpful in

discussions.

the application on the responsi- lastbility of the Four Powers and under to be grateful for the work of the "Europe and the world has reason international supervision, of the main Italians, which contributed to a peace- principle of that memorandum.

"The joint guarantee given under ful solution. It was they who, very

early in

in the proceedings, produced a the Munich Agreement by the British memorandum which M. Duladier and and French Governments against un- "All the British Government re- provoked aggression on

an essential counter-

relved in return for its 'sweet rea- gives the Czechs an their frontiers 4. were able to accept as a basis of

sonableness was the Berchtesgaden part which cannot be found in the ultimatum,

CRUEL AND REVENGEFUL

the Prime Minister returned "Later, from Godesberg with nothing but the German Memorandum, couched In terms which only a cruel and revengeful enemy could dictate to beaten foc after a long war,

"Only the Mobilisation of the British fleet convinced Herr Hiller that Britain would fight. I tried to swallow the Munich terms but they stuck in my throat.

"The_German_Government, having! got their man down, was not to be deprived of the pleasure of lacking

GW ALSO, Ĉ Memorandum.

took

discussion.

"M. Daladier's courage and readi- ness..

to take responsibility, his per- and unfalling good humour tinacity and Germany and Italy under- were invaluable during the whole

when discussion.' to give

guarantee question Of the

and

TROOPSHIP

ARRIVES

AFTER EVENTFUL TRIP

LIFEBOAT DRILL at South- ampton by the crew of the troop- ship Lancashire, which arrived In Ilongkong this afternoon.

CAGED-AND LIKES IT

Six-months-old Edith Wilson saited from Southampton In the troop- ship Somersetshire which arrived in Hongkong this afternoon. cot is a troopship "issue" lo bables on tropical voyages.

Her cool

Opposition Sees War As Near Possibility

LONDON, OCT. 3.

Opening his reply to the Premier's speech in the House of Commons the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Clement Attlee, declared that while the entire House fell that war had not. come this time, it could not feel that peace had been establish- ed for ever.

LIBERAL DOUBTS

the

"This has not been a victory for reason and humanity but for brute force," declared Mr. Attlee.

"We have scen a gallant civilised and democratic people betrayed and handed over to a ruthless destiny. The events of the past few days have been one of the greatest diplomatic vic- tories-it has been a mendous victory for Herr Hitler. Everyone recognises the great exer- tions of the Prime Minister, every one will pay tribute to him and say that he is the man who saved peace. Yes, but he is the man who brought donger as well."

Benes.

shown

Mr. Herbert Sinclair, leader of the Liberal Party, expressed his respect for the courageous way in which the Prime Minister had carried his responsibilities, but expressed opinion that England would live to ire-rue the day when the British Govern-

ment sold the pass of freedom in Central Europe and laid the way open for Germany's march to Eastern Europe.

CHEERS FOR EDEN

Mr. Anthony Eden, who received Mr. Attlee paid high tributes to the intnisterial cheers when he rose, de- everyone owed to Mr. marvellous courage and self-controlclared that

Chamberlain a measureless depth of "Polish

of Czecho-Slovakia Referring to the United States Mr.

and President Hungarian ininorities were settled, Chamberlain said that the messages

gratitude for the sincerity and per- while there was a declaration by the so firmly and persuasively made by

Unucity he showed in averting the Four Powers, that if the problems of President Roosevelt showed that the

"It is the Czechs who have averted supreme calanilty of war, Mr. Eden these minorities were not settled by views of the most powerful nation in

war. Their President has been as- also paid a tribute to the effort of Mr. calm dignity and agreement between the respective the world could make

sailed in the most shameful language Roosevelt and themselves governments within three months heard, across 3,000 miles of ocean to

In Germany "but his bearing has steadfast courage of Dr. Benes and another Four Power meeting would the minds of men In

In Europe,

the difference

the Czech nation. between 21 be held to consider them.

civilised man and a gangster. "The greatest force one which took

"Greater efforts than a loan

should fresh

day- THE MODIFICATIONS

be made to help the Czech people was not the force of one

grapple with their misfortunes," "Every fair and serious minded It was the unmistakable and

sensible

COMPARISON WITH JEWS among the or woman who takes into con unanimity

peoples of sideration the modifications of the the world that war must be

"The cause of this aggression was averted

not the Intolerable position of the Sudetens but because Herr Hitler decided the Ilme was ripe for un- other step forward in his designs to dominate Europe.

Sapes and grew eldun

him and the German Army was not memorandum must agree that they and the realisation that the peoples to be deprived of its loot."

Referring to the Anglo-German are of very considerable extent. of the British Empire were at one declaration. Mr. Duff Cooper nald "To those who disliked the ultima- | with those of Germany and France, that for Mr. Chamberlain to sign tuin and were anxious for a reason- and that their anxiety and tension

procedure this without consulting his Cabinet able and orderly,

every and intense desire for peace pervaded colleagues, his ullies, the Dominions one of those modifications was a step the whole atmosphere of the Con- or without the assistance of expert in the right direction. diplomatic advisers was not the

why foreign affairs of the Empire should

be conducted.

com-

For the first time we are milled to defend a frantier in central Europe. That being so we should now maintain

an army on a con- tinental basis; we should quicken the rearmament scheme on a broader basla.

"Mr. Chamberlain belleves he can rely on the good falth of Herr Hitler whom he thinks only interested in the Germans.

ference.

We

" belleve that, and not threats "In giving a verdict on this issue we should be well advised to nvold made possible the concessions describing it

it as a personal or national | heard to-day. triumph for anybody.

DOMINIONS' Ains

"The real triumph is that it has shown' that the representatives of the Four Fowers can find it possible to agree on a way to carry out difficult, and delicate operation by "Ever since I assumed my present discussion instead of with loss of position my main purpose has been life, and thus they averted a to work for the pacification of Europe. castastrophic which would have ended civilisation as we know it, (Cheers.)

"I acknowledge the encouragement and good wishes I received from the Dominions Governments.

(Cheers.)

"No State on

the continent of

i

"The so-called Fourth Czech plan not wrecked from within but was was vetoed from without," Mr. Eden .declared.

The Anglo-French proposnis offered more than full satisfaction for all the

Sudetens' cluims.

CO2-

"Among the Sudotons in siderabla minority who do not desire union with the Relch. Whatever our rellet, we have felt a sense of humillation when we have read of Europe has treated its minorities those proposals. I had hoped the time limit for the delimitation of better than has Czecho-Slovakin.

the frontler might have been extend- "A comparison of the conditions of those minoritics with the treated, because there was a panic flight ment mcled out to Jews and of German Jews and Social De- Catholics and Socialists

In Ger, mocrats. many is a comparison of Heaven to liell. "Herr Hitter

successfully asserted the law of the jungle and the whole of Europe is now under the constant menuce of armed force. "I am not putting all the blame on the British Government, because there has been grent vacillation by the French Government. If Czecho of Elve Slovakia was not going to be sup- ported she should have been told so,

hos

"I agree that the Munich proposals show some modification compared with the Godesberg plans, but it is possible not to feel grave anxiety for the future of Czecho-Slovakia.

MERE BREATHING SPACE "There is a difference in the view of whether

the rece

recent events con- stitute the beginning of better things mere breathing space perhaps of six months before the next crisis le upon us.

The foreign affairs debate lá ex- pected to last for three or four daya and the Munich agreement will be attacked more fully from the Opposi~ ilon benches.

To remove the suspiclons and animosities which have so long pol- "Mr. Chamberinin believes he con

The relief at our escape from this zoned the air has been thy desire. come to a reasonable settlement of peril had been mingled with a pra- The path that leads to appeasement

is where the betrayal came. all outstanding questions with Herr found feeling of sympathy for a bristics with obstacles. The question Hitler.

small and gallant nation in the hour was perhaps the most dangerous. of Czecho-Slovakia in the latest, and

With regard to colonies, suppose Herr Hitler only asks for the Belgium "Ile may be right. I hope and of their national grief and loss.

Congo or Dutch Sumatra. The Four "In the name of this House and Now that we have got past that it pray he is, hut as I cannot believe

further that, it is better I should go." the propic of its country I say that might be possible to make

Power pact would be dangerous be Czecho-Slovakin has earned Rester.

our progress on the road to

cause Britain would be the junior The first day's debate closed with sanity. admiration and respect for her "In my conversations with Herr partner in the pact against liberty.speech by Sir Samuel Hoare restraint and magnificent discipline Hiller last Friday I entered into no "The British people will not have which be stated that the Premier had in the face of such a trial as few pact and made no new commitments. It. Sooner or later we shall be over made the British position quite clear nations have been called upon to There is no secret understanding and

the abyss into which we have been to Herr Her and that it was now meet. (Cheers,)

obvious from the conversations that our conversation was hostile to no

looking in the nart few days. During his speech Mr. Chamother hallon.

"This is no time for Four Power Herr Hitler has taken full account Pacts but for a new was subject to

***The object of that conversation, const

all-in pence of the danger of a world war and dersbla Interruption

conference, thà | fór which Herr Hitler asked, wik to.

In this regard let here was no doubt that owing to Labour -- benehos- and amid pro- | try, anä' extend, a little the contact us call in the good offices of the the geographical conditions around us

United States and not exclude the

Wan prepared to undertake such a longed, Ministerial cheers the cry he had with me, for this contact I of "Shame” wih hurled back at the

(Continueil on Paga 1.)

Soviet," declared the Labour leader. move-fleuter.

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