"Does Not Mean Nothing Makes Us Fight," Declares Mr. Chamberlain in Tense House of Commons London, Mar, 24. GLRESTED by rousing Ministerial cheers, the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, entered the House of Commons at 3.10 o'clock this afternoon to deliver his momentous speech on the British Government's policy towards European affairs. The House was packed, both the floor and the galleries being crowded.
In the Diplomatic Gallery were the United States, Soviet, Belgian, Chinese, French and Argentine Ambassadors and the Ministers of seven European States, including Czechoslovakia. Also in the Diplomatic Gallery were Mr. Stanley Melbourne Bruce, High Commissioner for Austral la in London, and Mr. Charles Theodore te Water, High Commissioner for the Union of South Africa in London.
'The buzz of conversation among members, which proceeded during the questions, suddenly turned to sober silence' as Mr. Chamberlain rose at 349 o'clock to unfold the attude which the Government had adopted after deep consideration.
The Prime Minister declared that! hho could not im: would change of the British foreign polley, which was the maintenance and preserva: tion of peace. Peace was the greatest interest of the British Empire.
"That does not mean, however, that nothing would make us fight (Cheers)
Siways be to preserve the essential things without recourse to: wer, if it were" possible, ""because we know hain ae here ae no winners" ruin for those involved nothing but suffering and
NM. Chamberlain pointed out that even if Great Britain were involved im war. anywhere it mort reset on her and on her interest Referring {othe problem of has maintain peace. the. Prime. AGnister said that the League of Nations "We are bound by certain treaty obligations which would entail fon us the necessity of fighting if the occasion arose. I hope that no one doubts that we would be prepared to full those obligations. (Cheers)
"There are certain. vital British interests. for which. if they were menaced, we would. fighi—the fence of British territories and vital Speaking of Czechoslovakia, Chamberlain asked:
"Should we, forthwith, assure: France that we will support her military way if she is called on implement her obligations to. that tion, owing to German aggression?
"Or, should we immediately declare our 'Feadiness to act militarily, in resistance, in any forcible interference with the independence and Integrity of Czechoslovakia, and invite "other nations to associate themselves with us in such a declaration'
Under either of these alternatives, the Prime Minister continued, the decision whether Britain should self involved in war would be aittomatically removed from the Brit-{sh Government's discretion. The suggested guarantee would then apply. irrespective of the elreumstances by which it was brought Into operation and over which the Government|, might not have been able to exercise "This posi he stated, "is not British Government sould see its way to accept." (Loud Ministerial cheers)—Reuter
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.