London, Feb. 23. 1AN eloquent appeal to the country to support the Government's policy of "peace through strength" was made by the Prime Minister, Mr, Neville Chamberlain, in a speech at Blackburn last night, Much of his speech was devoted to domestic affairs, including unemployment and the position of the cotton industry, but the Prime Minister also dealt with foreign aff and defence. Eight thousand persons were present to hear Mr. Chamberlain, and thousands, more ha' to be turned away for lack of room.
The Prime Minister and his wife were given an enthusiastic reception.
The audience stood, cheered for several utes, and sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."
Elaborate police precautions were taken to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the hall, Wooden barricades were erected outside, and people without tickets were not allowed near the place.
Some women entering the hall were asked to open their handbags for inspection, appar~ ently a precaution against a possible bomb outrage.
It was natural in these days of un+ certainty in international affairs, Me. Chamberlain said, that public-interest should be concentrated largely on external polities and the preparations being made to meet any. possible emergency, 'When huge armaments are being piled up on every hand," Me. Chamberlain continued," "we cannot avoid certain anxiety' lest some incident, perhaps trifling in itself, should set in motion machinery that' would bring them these armaments in operation. "We know if that dread event should come to pass, there is none of us, oF of those who are dearest 10 us, who could count on escaping the consequences, Mr. Chamberlain thanked—the patriotic men and women who had already come forward to participate ahe__Woluheet National Service were, he said, helping the countryin three ways by showing the [world that we here can count upon voluntary service to make compulsion unnecessary; by inspiring the people Jwith confidence that, if trouble came, we should know how to meet it; and Joy actually helping to prevent war, foe cause the better prepared we are, the less likely is it that anyone will There were, however, still gaps to Ail, and he would like to make a fresh appeal for more volunteers.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.