Evening star., 1938-10-04
Text of Chamberlain Address

C1 1dlA AuulCSS
which could not be called predomi-
nAntly German in character.
According to the oodesburg memo-
rardum the occupation of plebiscite
areas by German and Czech troops,
respectively. was to continue up to
the time of the plebiscite, when they
were to be withdrawn while the plebi-
scite was being held. =
Under the Munich agreement these
plebiscite areas are to be occupied at
once by an international force.
The Godesburg memorandum did
not indicate on what kind Of areas
the vote would Be based. Accordingly
there were fears entertained on the
side Of the Czechs that large areas
might be selected which would operate
to the disadvantage of Czechoslovakia.
In the Munich arrangement. 1t Is
stated that the plebiscite is to be
based on the conditions Of the Saar
plebiscite. That indicates that . vote
is to be taken by small administrative
areas.
Under the Munich arrangement, the
Czech government, while it IS bound
to carry out the evacuation OF the
territory without damaging existing
installations, is not placed under the
conditions of the Godesberg memo-
randum, to which much exception was
taken in that they provided that no
foodstuffs, goods, cattle or raw ma
terial were to be removed.
Under the Godesberg memorandum,
the detailed arrangements before the
evacuation were to be settled by the
Germans and Czechs alone.
Under the Munich agreement, the
conditions Of evacuation are to be laid
down in detail by an international
commission. (Cheers.)
Includes Valuable Provisions.
Again. the Munich arrangement in
cludes certain very valuable provisions
which found no place at all In the
I think every fair-minded and every
serious minded man or woman who
takes into consideration the modifica-
tions of the memorandum must agree
that they are Of very considerable ex-
tent and that they are all in the same
direction. Uronical Labor cheers)
To those who dislike an ultimatum,
We are anxious for a reasonable and
orderly procedure and every one OF
these notifications is q step in the
right direction.
1t is no longer an ultimatum. 1t is
a method which is carried on largely
under the supervision OF an interna-
tional body.
Now, in giving a verdict upon the
agreement, we should do we'll to avoid
describing it as a personal or q ma
tional triumph for anybody.
The real triumph is that it has
shown that the representatives of four
great powers can find it possible to
agree on a way Of carrying out .
difhcult and delicate operation by dis
cussion instead of by loss Of life.
They have averted a catastrophe
which would have ended civilization
as we have known it.
Laborites Cry SHANE"
Relief at our escape from this great
peril Of war has everywhere been
mingled in this country with profound
feelings Of Nabor cries of Shame!
Shame!").
I have nothing to be ashamed of.
cloud cheers from government sup
porters)
Those who have may hang their
heads.
We must all feel profound sympathy
for small and gallant nation in the
hour OF their national grief and loss.
I say in the name Of this House
and of the people of this country
that Czechoslovakia has earned our
admiration and respect for her re-
straint and dignity, for her mag
nificent discipline in the face Of such
trial as few nations have been
called upon to suffer.
Gen. Syrovy (Jan Syrovy, premier
Of Czechoslovakia) said the other
night in his broadcast that his gov
ernment could have decided to stand
up against overpowering forces, but
1t would have meant the death of
millions.
The army, whose courage no man
has ever questioned, have obeyed the
order Of their President as they
would equally have obeyed had he
told them to march to the trenches.
Hopes for Greater Security.
1t Is my hope and my belief that
under the new system OF guarantees
the new Czechoslovakia will find q
greater security than it has enjoyed
hitherto
We must recognize that she has
been put in position where she has
got to reconstruct her own economy.
In doing so she must encounter diff
ficulties which it would be practically
impossible for her to solve alone.
We have received from the Czecho-
slovak government through their Min
lister in London an appeal to help them
to raise loan of 100000 ($I50,-
000,000) by a British government
guarantee. (Cheers)
I believe that the house will feel
with the government that that is an
appeal which should meet with a SYM
pathetic and even generous response.
So far as We have yet been able to
ascertain, the Czechoslovak govern
ment has not as yet addressed any
similar request to any other govern
ment and it is evident that the terms
and conditions of guaranteed loan
and what governments should partici-
pate in it cannot be decided immedi-
ately.
Evidently this is one of those cases
where the old proverb applies, that
"he who gives quickly gives twice"
Would members opposite Oabor
lnterruptions) kindly allow me to con-
tinue this rather important part Of
my speech without these continual
Interruptions which distract attention