Evening star., 1939-03-18
EY tbs Associated Pres.

shall attain my 10th birthday anni-
versary. I had hoped to keep that
quiet, but since the cat has been
let out of the bag I am not going
to deny it; only I don't see what I
can do about it except to thank
you all for your good wishes and
to say to you that as I am still
sound in wind and limb I hope that
I may have a few more years be-
fore me in which to give what serv-
ice can to the state If that should
be wanted.
I had intended tonight to talk to
you upon variety of subjects, upon
trade and employment, upon social
service and upon finance.
But, ladies and gentlemen, tre-
mendous events which have been
taking place this week in Europe
have thrown everything else into
the background, and feel that
what you and those who are not in
this hall, but who are listening to
me, will want to hear is some indi-
cation Of the views of his majestys
government as to the nature and
implication of those events.
Public Opinion Shocked.
Well, one thing is certain. Pub
lie opinion in the world has re-
ceived a sharper shock than has
ever yet been administered to it,
even by the present regime in Ger
many.
What may be the ultimate ef-
fects of this profound disturbance
on mems minds cannot yet be fore
told, but I am sure that it must be
reaching in its results upon the
future.
Last Wednesday we had debate
upon it in the House of Commons.
That was the day on which German
troops entered Czecho-S -Slovakia,
and all of us, particularly the gov
ernment, were at a disadvantage
because information that we had
was only partial. Much of it was
unofficial. We had no time to digest
it, much less to form a considered
opinion upon It.
And so it necessarily followed
that I, speaking in behalf of the
government, with all that RESPONSE
bility that attaches to the posi-
ton, was obliged to confine my
self to a very restrained and cau-
tious exposition on which at the
time I felt I could make but little
commentary.
Would Correct Statement.
And perhaps naturally that
somewhat cool and objective state
ment gave rise to Misrepresentation,
and some people thought that be-
cause I spoke quietly, because
gave little expression to feeling,
that therefore my colleagues and !
didn't feel strongly on the subject
I hope to correct that statement
tonight.
But before I come to my COM
ments I want to say something
first about the argument which has
developed out of these events and
which was used in that debate and
has appeared since in various quar-
ters of the press.
1t. has been suggested that this
occupation Of CZecho-Slovakia was
a direct consequence of the visit
which I paid Germany last au-
tumn, and that since the result OF
these events has been to tear up
the settlement that was arrived at
at Munich, that proves that the
whole circumstances Of those visits
were wrong.
And it is said that as this was
the personal policy of the Prime
Minister, the blame for the fate o1
Czecho- -Slovakia must rest upon
his shoulders.
That is an entirely unwarrant-
able conclusion. The facts as they
are today cannot change the facts
as they were last September.
If I was right then, am still
right now.
Then there are some people who
say 1--WE consider you were wrong in
September and now we have been
proved to be right"
Let me examine that. When ]
decided to go to Germany I never
expected I was going to escape
criticism.
Went to Avert War.
Indeed, I did not 60 there to get
popularity. I went there first and
foremost because, in what appeared
to be almost a desperate situation
that seemed to me to offer the only
chance Of averting a European war
I might remind you that when it
was first announced I was going
not q voice was raised in criticism
Every one applauded that effort and
it was only later-when it appeared
the results of the final settlement
fell short of the expectations OF
some who didn't fully appreciate
the facts-it was only then that the
attack began and even then it WASH
the visit. it was the terms of settle
ment that were disapproved.
Well, have never denied that
the terms which I was able to secure
at Munich were not those myself
would have desired, but as I ex-
planned then. I had to deal with no
new problem.
This was something that had
existed ever since the treaty of
Versailles-a problem that ought to
have been solved long ago if only the
statesmen of the last 20 years had
taken broader and more enlightened
views Of their duty.
It had become like disease which
had been long neglected and surg
ical operation was necessary to save
the life of the patient.
Immediate Objective Achieved.
After all, the first and most I'M
mediate object of my visit was
achieved. The peace of Europe was
saved, and, if it hadn't been for
those visits, hundreds of thousands
of families would today have been
in mourning for the flower of Eu-
ropes best manhood.
would like once again to express
my grateful thanks to all those cor
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