Mr, Stanley Baldwin has taken up the challenge to his leadership and In response to calls for his reslgnation has intimated his intention, to remain Prime Minister mn more dig-rifled but none the less unmistak~ able terms than those used by Mr, Gregsbury in addressing "My dear; Pugstyles" on a famous occasion. On his native heath, as it were, Mfr. Baldwin thas refuted the notion that the Government is divided on the major issues of foreign policy. He makes a firm effort to give coherency that policy at atime when the intricacy' of conflicting alms Is specially marked, Peace through colfective action can be secured only by the Possession of the power to enforce Its principles. On that tronnd the Prime Minister and his Colleagues are putting the full weight their influence behind the rearmament of the British forces on sea, fon land and in the air. The virtual Admission of the League's failure is qualified by the contention that the League can only be made to function when it Is all-embracing. Support of the League is the policy on which the "Government has received a mandate from the electorate, but it] cannot be maintained unless meas-tres for strengthening the League be frankly faced and adopted. It is futile to single out any nation for speds blame for the situation now produced, The need is to discover means for rebuilding. To that end the proposals made by the German and French Governments are under con sideration, Mr, Baldwin accepts the responsibility in the name of Great Britain, In so doing he tenders to Herr Hitler a friendly invitation which is framed with a keen appreclation of the basle sentiments of most nations in Europe to-day: abhorrence of any action calculated to plunge the continent into the abyss of wai Herr Hitler has strongly affirmed his own desire for peace. He has had practical proof of Great Britain's Feadiness to reciprocate. Not less evident is the existence of the same sentiment in France, although the form of expression may be different the special circumstances of France's position. Since the event of March 7, the restraint of the French nation has been eloquent. Even now, with a national election pending, the note of petulance is markedly lacking from public pronouncements French statesmen, The reason is not far to seek. The French people are reluctant to abandon the hope. that peaceful solutions can be found for What, in the light of past experience, might be regarded as menacing com: plications, Although, in these vital days ahead, to use Mr. Baldwin's epithet, there is ground for anxiety, there fs also a solid basis of goodwill Jon which statesmanship should be able confidently to proceed. M. van Zee-Jand, in the name of Belgium, has signally Illustrated the prevalence of this sane determination to press the search for a peaceful solution to the' utmost limit. Will Herr Hitler be able to respond?
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.