"They have now, without, so far as I know, any communication with the other three signatories of the Munich agreement, sent their troops beyond the frontier then laid down. Even though it may now be claimed that what has taken place has occurred with the acquiescence of the Czechoslovak Government, I
Cannot regard the manner and methods by which these changes have been brought about as at accord with the spirit of the Munich agreement.
"There is a further point I cannot omit to mention. Hitherto, the German Government, in extending the area its military control, has defended its action by the contention that it was only incorporating in the Reich, neighbouring masses of people of the German race. Now, for the firist time, they are effecting the military occupation of a territory inhabited by people with whom they have no racial connection."
Peace Effort to Go On In conclusion, the Prime Minister recalled hís appeal at Birmingham at ihe end of January for a contribution by others to search for peace, which was the aim of his Government, and said it was natural, there-ited fore, that he should bitterly regret what had now occurred. "But," said Mr. Chamberlain, "do not let us, on that account, be deflected from our course. Let us remember that the desire of all peoples of the world still Temains concentrated on hopes of peace and of the return to an atmosphere of understanding and goodwill, which has so often been disturbed.
"The sim of this Government is now, as it always has been, to promote that desire and to' substitute the method of discussion.for the method of force in the settlement of differences.
"Though we may have to suffer checks and disappointments from time to time, the object we have in mind is of too great a significance to the happiness of mankind for us
aide" lightly to give it up or set it on one Labour Opposition View Following Mr. Chamberlain's statement, the debate was opened by Mr. D. R. Grenfell Labour member for the Gower division of Glamorgan, who declared that it was a day of humiliation and sH&me for Great Britain.
"We have allowed the truth to be set aside" he said, "and allowed violence to take the place of reason and justice, and violence has triumphed." thought the problems of Middle Europe, with its mixed nationalities, would have to be far more carefully studied and fully understood than was apparent from anything that the Prime Minister had said. He commented with amazement on what he called "the sense of splendid isolation and detachment" of Mr. Chamberlain's stagement on a situation charged with emotion.
"Pride" he said, "has been humbled and a nation's trust and independence violated."
The Prime Minister, in his simplicity, said Mr. Grenfell, believed that the undertakings in Munich were given in good faith. Mr. Chamberlain had said so.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.