Evening star., 1938-12-04

Left to right: David Loud
George, Winston Churchill, L. C.
M. S. Amery and Alfred Duf
Cooper.
Great Britain is moving under direct
pressure from Herr Hitler toward a
general election which may determine
her history for a century.
In London diplomatic circles It is
freely admitted that Hitler has refused
to negotiate further with Britain until
he is assured in the next election that
Premier Chamberlain's foreign policy
will be continued.
Hitler foreshadowed this policy re-
Gently at Weimar when he said:
I'VE have, of course, no right to de-
mand that other peoples should change
their constitutions. but 1t is my duty
as leader of the Germans to examine
these constitutions and the possibilities
that arise from them"
The possibility that Socialist gov
ernment will succeed the present ma
tional government is not at present
great, but it is generally admitted that
any change of regime here would ma
terially affect the march of the Nazis.
Already Britain is getting election
fever. The first month Of the autumn
term in the House of Commons has
been one long screaming match. Deci-
sion on the election date rests with
Chamberlain, who has not yet made up
his mind,
Eden Backs Movement.
Former Foreign Secretary Anthony
Eden is leading movement for gov
ernment of all parties" Some Socialists
are counseling a coalition of Socialists,
dissatisfied Conservatives and Liberals.
Everybody is writing letters to the editor
and many are breaking across party
lines.
It is now such unique situation that
Chamberlain, the arch Tory, while still
entrenched behind a large Conservative
majority, has the solid support of only
Laborites.
Fighting is concentrated on four main
fronts:
First, there is deep split on the best
way to deal with Hitler
Secondly, there is much dissatisfaction
with the governments past and present
attitude toward defense
Thirdly, prediction squabble has
developed on how to attain national
unity.
Fourthly there is much dissension
over Chamberlains tendency to act be-
fore putting his views before the House
and then resenting criticism of his policy.
On the first and most fundamental
point, the issue is clear.
Chamberlain and his followers believe
that policy of conciliation toward Ger
many and Italy is fair, expedient and
wise because, they reason, these coun-
tries have some just grievances and will
abandon their aggression when their
grievances are met.
Oppose Appeasement Policy.
The Socialists, dissatisfied Corserva-
tives and Liberals believe that Chamber
lain's policy of appeasement will not ap-
pease, and they support formation of a
coalition of strong, well-armed, nom
aggressive states to limit the dictators'
demands
Chamberlain believes this latter policy
means war; the Socialists and their allies
believe Chamberlain's policy of conces-
sion means first the serious Weakening
If not the dissolution-of the British EN-
pire, or alternately, war, and war with
out friends.
This is the first issue Of the forth
coming election and 1t is this issue which
makes British observers believe the elec-
ton may change the entire course of
British history.
The Parliament split over defense is
second only to the question of the gov
ernments attitude toward the dictators.
Government ministers have admitted
frankly that the nations aerial defense,
its anti-aircraft defense and its air raid
precautions are well below standard.
Conditions Summarized.
1t was stated from Parliament front
benches that during the crisis:
Some anti-aircraft guns did not have
their necessary instruments. others were
not overhauled, others had the wrong
ammunition, and that, above all, there
were not enough guns.
Transport in some cases broke down
taking men and material to their posts.
Batteries necessary to run the search
lights were sometimes dead and without
charging units.
Some hospitals in London even today
have not yet had their gas masks.
London needed 5000 auxiliary IRE