Much was made last week by certain news agencies of the possibility of a split in the British Cabinet in connection with the Anglo-French scheme for the settlement of the (Czechostovak crisis. At the very most all that could be discerned was that there was Some difference of opinion amongst Mr. Chamberlain's immediate following over reposals, the terms of which are not yet own officially, but which may be taken as representing a very big departure from any of the policies Which had been enunciated up to the time of the Prime Minister's quick visit fo interview Herr Hitler. Those differences seem to have been overcome, and there are indications that even if the whole of the British Cabinet is not enthusiastic over the jew scheme,—end if all that is reported about it is correct, that is not to be wondered at,—it has at least for the time being determined to present the front of unanimity to the world. That is not the case with the various other Parliamentary leaders, and the letter of Mr. C. R. Atlee, of the Opposition to Mr. Chamberlain asking for the reassembly of Parliament without delay to debate the Anglo-French proposals, is a sign of the anrest which prevails, not only in the House of Commons, but throughout the country. The Prime Minister's reply is the only one which could be given in the circumstances: "To summon Parliament now, and to require me to take part in debates while these negotiations are still in progress Would make my task impossible." He did, how-aver, promise that necessary steps would be taken to summon a special meeting as soon as matters have proceeded far enough io enable him to make a full statement. It s probably one of the best things that has aappeneá in connection with this present crisis that Parliament had gone into recess before the time came for the making of those grave decisions which have still to be made, for it is not difficult to appreciate ihe effect upon international politics in the condition they are, if the various prominent men in the House of Commons had, in debate there, used the language which some 5f them have been using in the country.
Judging from all that has been said, it is clear that, if the Edens, Churchills, Atlees and Pollitts had any great say in steering the policy of the British Government in conditions such as at present prevail, there would already have been war in Europe. There are two very definite schools of political thought in Great Britain regarding the attitude which should be taken towards Germany and the manner in which the foreign policy of that country is being pursued. Mr. Chamberlain is following a wise, and strong line in an endeavour to prevent the whole of Europe being subjected to another bath of blood, in the hope that his policy of appeasement may be brought to fruition. If in the long run it transpires that his policy has been brought io permanent success he will rank as one of the greatest figures in British history and an outstanding benefactor to more nations than his own. If he fails he will have done no great amount of harm, iMdeed, may even have done good in affording Great Britain a longer time to be prepared against eventualities. It may very well be that the present Anglo-French Scheme comes as a disappointment to those who see in it a retreat from his former definite stand, and a betrayal of Czechoslo~ yak hopes based on earlier and very definite: pronouncements. There are many, a very great many who feel that, judged in the light of what has happened, those earlier' pronouncements ought never to have been made, but this is a state of affairs in which er post facto wisdóm is likely to be of Bittle avail. Tf Mr. Chamberlain succeeds in ending this continual sabre-rattling, and putting in its place a desire for the discussion of outstanding problems in more peaceful circumstances, no one will, for ome. moment, contend that it will not have been the wisest course to pursue. There are millions of European youth in the glory of life, who may, unless wise courses are followed, soon be weltering in the shambles of death, and a man who, in. face of the not do his very utmost to avert it, is not only not worthy of leadership but not even of his manhood.
Where would Europe have been had Mr. Eden not been dropped as he was? It is Aot uhressohable to suppose that, judging wy what has actually ced ùp people whom it is @readful a fate. Mr. Bach following the inevitable eeptatice Of ideals denied by a ct the World. The Pollitts of world are not dominated by the same consideration. Their péliey calls for the destruc of the Nazi and Fascist totalitarianism, probably With the idea that oùt or the wreckage of this present civilization something more in accordance with their concepts would be constricted. There is that third class of ópponent to Mr. Chamberlain which believes that if the nettle has to be grasped it is better to do it now, and, once and for all, destroy this continual menace to the peace of Europe and the world. They have much to be said for their argument. It is bold in concept and probable of success. But what would success mean? At the very least it would probably entail the destruction of the political systems in both Germany and Italy, and encourage the growth of communism which is just as much io be feared as the doctrines of the other totalitarian states, and at the very most might mean the general collapse of everything in the nature of individual liberty which after all is still the mainspring of the lives of untold millions on this earth. There might be even worse, a drawn war and in its settlement all the seeds of another hideous struggle. It is for these reasons that it is suggested that, unpalatable as it may be in certain of its aspects, the policy of Mr. Chamberlain is the one which should be adopted until it has definitely proved to have failed. That proof may not cóme out: of the immediate fate of Czechoslovakia but out of future developments, and if it then becomes necessary to adopt the bel-hoose policies of the Prime Minister's present critics no great deal of harm will have been done, but possibly much good.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.