That the setbacks which Mr. Neville Chamberlain has recently received to his policy of general appeasement have in no way daunted him is clear from the speech which he made on Tuesday night at the dinner of the Foreign Press Association. His remarks were a clear exposition of what he has in mind, and though there may be criticism of the means he has employed—criticism which cannot be wholly justified—there can be doubt of neither his determination nor his transparent honesty of purpose. He placed the issue fairly and squarely before his listeners when he summed it up as follows Two courses were open: one was to make up one's mind that war was inevitable, and to throw the whole of the country's energies into preparing for it, and the other was to make a prolonged and determined effort to eradicate possible causes of war and to try out methods of personal contact and discussion, while, gt the same time, proceeding with the armament necessary to restore the power of defence.
In other words his policy is one of working for peace, but preparing against the even-triality of war. In that statement is to be found a complete answer to those who ask why, if Mr. Chamberlain believes in the effectiveness of the Munich Pact, Great Britain should be rearming at the rate she is. It is in the interests of peace that Great Britain should be fully prepared to defend herself, for a weak Britain would undoubtedly be a direct enticement to war. That need not necessarily mean that Britain is any more war-minded now than she as been in the past, or that the loyalty to the ideals of peace has in any way been diminished, for it must be realized that, when the potential threats of danger which have been manifested of recent months are taken into consideration, it would be the height of foolishness not to get into a posture of effective defence as speedily as possible. In this connection it is of interest to note that preparations of defence have now proceeded far enough for him to say with confidence that Britain is in a position to honour her obligations to those for whom she is responsible within the Empire as well as the allies. That is all the more comforting when the revelations of unpreparedness prior to and after the Czechoslovak crisis are remembered, and it is gratifying news to learn that those adjustments which have been made entitle him to make such a claim.
The denial of aggressive purposes on the part of the British Government is of a piece with the whole of the British policy. It has been stated time and again that the present rearmament is for the purpose of defence only, but it has to be taken to such a degree that aggression by other nations will not only be rendered profitless but actually dangerous to them. A weak Britain, in conditions such as they are, would be a direct menace to the peace of Europe. Mr. Chamberlain's reference to the recent attacks of the German Press and particularly that made upon Earl Baldwin was but natural when all the circumstances are taken into consideration. Much complaint has been made of references to German leaders in the British Press, and a considerable amount of susceptibility displayed, but the tirade of abuse poured out upon Earl Baldwin must inevitably have called forth the dignified protest which the Prime Minister made on Tuesday. If as it is suggested it was this passage which led to the absence of the German diplomats and correspondents, it must be pointed out that it compares very favourably indeed with much that has appeared in the German press, in which connection the significance of the behaviour complained of is to be found in the fact that the German Government can exercise a control over its journals, which has not yet by law been vested in the British Government, and is unlikely to be unless some cataclysmic change occurs in the Constitution. That the contents of a document, which was supposed to be completely confidential until the speech was made, should have been divulged is an entirely different matter with which the Foreign Press Associa-. tion may very well seek to concern itself. The communication of speeches to the Press beforehand is a common practice to be commended as tending to the convenience of the journalist, but it is unlikely to be continued if breaches such as these occur.
Perhaps the most important portion of the speech was Mr. Chamberlain's reference to Britain's friendly relations with the United States and France. It is unthinkable that conditions should ever arise which would bring Britain and America into hostility. The recent signing of the Anglo-American Trade Agreement with the consequent settlement of many causes for friction is an earnest of the of the relations between the two countries and a consolidation of the position in world affairs which two such demeeracit. *hould occupy. The Prime Minis-founded on an identity of interest." much of significance in that sentence. It is split the Entente or Great Britain end France stend as solidly side by side in European, and other matters as if their relationships were regulated by the most rigid and compendious agreement. Indeed such a document would be unnecessary in the conditions which prevail; for once the principles underlying the Entente are accepted, it is obvious that their application must be capable of the widest interpretation. The Prime Minister concluded his address with a declaration of belief that it is possible to attain the goal he has in view, provided Britain kept its purpose firm, its courage undaunted and its faith untarnished,—in other words if Britain to herself remain but true. But there is still much suspicion and prejudice abroad in the world, and their removal will prove a task of some difficulty. Taken in its right sense Mr. Chamberlain's speech should prove a valuable contribution to the successful accomplishment of that task. There is a real desire on the parts of the British and German people for a_ better. understanding. It is evidenced by the fact that certain passages of his address have been welcomed by political circles in Berlin, and, if Mr. Chamberlain can carry through the policy to which he has irrevocably committed himself, he will have done much to bring it about.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.