While there are definite signs that international relationships in Europe are in a fair way towards betterment, there are also plenty of indications that the policy of apeasement which Mr. Neville Chamberlain has been so earnestly following continues to arouse criticism in some quarters. A notable case is the latest attack by Mr. Lloyd George, during the course of a speech before the Free Church Federation. His contention that the Munich conference brought no promise of peace to Europe and that Britain, instead "of sacrificing its honour" should have gone to war, in which event Herr Hitler's regime would have been crushed, is typical of a certain school of thought which seems to be bent on war at all costs. That type of statesmanship which could contemplate the crush ing of the present regime in Germany, fails to understand all the implications of the present situation, and it is wholly undesirable from a British point of view that Germany should again be crushed. The disappearance of its present government, which it must be admitted would have been a distinct possibility in the event of war, could only make room for one of another complexion, and possibly open the country to that communism from which Herr Hitler, with some justice, claims to have saved it. While the nature of another country's government is not a matter for British concern, it is quite apparent that, if it has to be a choice between Naziism and Communism, there is a very substantial majority in Great Britain which would most certainly choose the former. Taking this reproach of Mr. Lloyd George's, with the additional one that Great Britain had done nothing to protect the Chinese defending the integrity and independence of their native land, it is difficult to see where sheer sentiment commences and real reason ends. For, if he has been reported correctly, he seems to be contemplating the British involved in wars simultaneously in Europe and Asia, and it must be apparent to everyone that the time has long past when Britain could possibly enter into such widespread commitments. during the "COCKTAIL HOUR"
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.