Evening star., 1938-10-04

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chequer. (Ministerial cheers.)
pass from that subject and would
like to say Z few words In respect
Of the various other participants be-
sides ourselves In the proceedings at
Munich.
Hard things have been said about
the German Chancellor today and in
the past, but do feel that the House
ought to recognize the difficulty for
= man in that position to tske back
such an emphatic declaration a. he
had already made and to recognize
that In consenttng. even though it
were only at the last minute, to dis
cuss with the representatives Of other
powers those things which he had
declared he had already decided once
and for all, was . real contribution
on his part. ministerial cheers and
opposition cries Of "Why?").
Praises Mussolinls Part,
As regards Signor Mussolini, his
contribution was certainly notable and
perhaps decisive. It was on his sug-
gestion that the final stages of
mobilization were postponed for "a
hours to give us an opportunity of
discussing the situation and wish
to say that at the conference itself
both he and the Italian foreign secre-
tary, Count Ciano. were most helpful
in the discussion.
1t was they who, very early in the
proceeding. produced q memorandum
which (French Premier) Daladier and
I were able to accept as basis of dis
cussion. Uronical opposition laughter
and ministerial cheers.)
think Europe and the world has
reason to be grateful to the head of
the Italian government for contribut-
ing to peaceful solution. ministerial
cheers)
Daladiers Task Difficult.
Daladier had, in some respects, the
most difficult task Of the whole four
OF us because Of the special relations
uniting his country and Czechoslo-
vakia, and I should like to say that
his courage and his readiness to take
responsibility, his pertinacity and his
unfailing good humor were unvsrying
and invaluable throughout the whole
Of our discussions.
There Is one other power which
was not represented at the conference,
but which we felt to be exercising a
constantly increasing influence.
refer. Of course, to the United
States. ministerial cheers)
These messages Of President Roose-
welt, 30 firmly yet so persuasively
phrased, showed how the voice Of the
most powerful nation in the world
could make itself heard across 5000
miles Of ocean to sway the minds Of
men in Europe. ministerial cheers)
In my view, the strongest force Of all
was the unmistakable sense of
unanimity among the peoples Of the
world that war somehow must be
averted.
Wish for Peace Stressed.
Therein the peoples of the British
empire were at one with those of Ger
many, France and Italy. Their ankle
ties. their intense desire for peace. per-
vaded the whole atmosphere of the
conference and believe that that and
not threats made possible the con-
cessions which we were able to get.
(Cheers)
Throughout these discussions the
governments Of the Dominions have
been kept in closest touch with the
march Of events by telegraph and by
personal contact.
I would like to say how greatly I
was encouraged on each Of the Jour-
neys made to Germany by knowledge
that I went with the good wishes of
the governments of the Dominions,
(Cheers)
They shared all our anxieties and
all our hopes. They rejoiced with us
when peace was preserved. With US,
they looked forward to further efforts
to consolidate what has been won.
Ever since assumed my present
ONCE my main purpose has been to
work for the pacification of Europe.
(Cheers.) For the removal of those
suspicious and animosities which have
50 long poisoned the air.
The path that leads to peace is a
long one and bristles with obstacles.
Czech Question Most Dangerous.
This question of Czechoslovakia is
the latest and, perhaps, the most dan
gerous. Now that We have got past
1t feel that it may be possible to
make further progress along the road
to sanity.
Mr.. Duff Cooper (Alfred Duff