Evening star., 1938-10-30

OF presttge as result OF Prime Minister
Chdmberldin's "deal' ,Dith Hitler at
Munich is brought out in the tollo,Uing
article by the London correspondent of
the Kansas City Star. In this inside
story OF Chamberlain's policies, his
negotiations ,rtth the dictdtors and the
profound eject OF his yielding to them,
the reader WiH find an interesting
chapter OF current history.
LONDON.-What of this man Chamber
lain? The British Prime Minister upon
whose shoulders some American newspapers
draped the mantle Of Lincoln. who was
offered by his King the Order of the
Garter. the most exalted decoration of
English chivalry and for whom the Paris
municipality enthusiastically considered
naming street in Versailles? Chamberlain
the peacemaker?
How was he received by Hitler and what
back? How did this man in his 10th year
bear the strain? What was the back
ground Of the apparently sudden crisis
that was within hours of sweeping all
Europe and perhaps much OF the rest of
the world into war of annihilation7 Was
there an inside story?
When Hitler came to power in Germany
England had diSarmed, save for her navy.
Her army and airforce were the weakest
Of any major power in the world. There
is every reason to believe-one might al
most say there is absolute proof-that the
Baldwin government had information con-
corning Germany's rearmament that was
at variance with the facts given the House
Of Commons. Baldwin said the British
when irrefutable evidence to the contrary
was made public. Baldwin blandly replied
that he had been misinformed.
Drift and muddle alternated with empty
threats throughout the Italian adventure
in Abyssinia. Timidity and vacillation fol-
lowed in the Spanish civil war. British
seamen were done to death daily by Italian
submarines in the Mediterranean, and
nothing happened British ships were sent
to the bottom by bombs from German and
italian planes without reprisal and almost
without protest
Foreign Policy Broke Down.
British foreign policy, steadfast since
the reign Of Queen Elizabeth. ceased to
function. There was no British foreign
policy. Chamberlain spoke now and then
of a policy Of appeasement Some of
the men around him were accused of pro-
Fascist leanings. 1t was said they well
coined some kind Of Fascism for Britain
as a certain method Of keeping the lower
orders in their places" Chamberlain him.
self was accused of playing with the doc
trines OF Fascism and came out in bitter
denial. He said he would tight for democ-
racy.
An important section of the London press,
giving lip service to democracy for Eng
land, openly applauded the activities Of
Hitler and MSsolini. Lord Rothermere,
owner Of the Daily Mail and its allied pub
lications, openly backed Hitler and the Nazi
regime and cried out for the destruction Of
Czechoslovakia.
The group surrounding the American
born Lady Astor, M. p, played part that
many Englishmen believed and continue to
believe had a sinister influence on the af-
fairs Of the country.
On the other hand, there were men in
the British government who stood up to
Hitler and forced from him the respect that
England had always demanded and nearly
always received abroad. Among these were
Sir Eric Phipps, British Ambassador to
Berlin, and Sir Robert Vansittart, per-
manent head Of the British foreign office
and one Of the greatest students Of Euro
pean affairs living. Chamberlain replaced
them both.
Henderson Went to Berlin.
In the place of Phipps. Sir Neville Hen
derson was sent as Ambassador to Berlin.
Henderson went there with the plan Of ac-
commodating the NaN regime. He made
friends with Goering, who in private life IS
q jovial companion and excellent host. He
spoke highly of men surrounding the Nazi
dictator and repeatedly said they were
good fellows"
Hitler had come into power with great
respect for British strategy. He believed
Britain invincible and his early idea was to
remain friends with her, while isolating her
from France. He sent Joachim Won Rib.
bentrop, IN envoy in whom he had par.