Evening star., 1939-04-05
Chamberlain
Continued From First Page)

bellished and have caused the kind
of dreadful thing we do not wish
to have? Is 1t not conceivable that
a statement of this kind might pre-
cipitate war? In these circumstances
is the first lord a man who ought
to continue to be a responsible min
lister?
Some Kept Aboard Ships.
The Prime Minister said that no
other orders had been given by the
admiralty other than that the prac-
tice of retaining some Of the men on
board their own ships in readiness
to man the guns should not be re-
laXed, even on so special all occasion
as the dinner and movie aboard the
Ark Royal, at which Lord Stanhope
| spoke.
Deputy Labor Leader Arthur
Greenwood, who asked the Prime
Minister for the statement on Lord
Stanhope's speech. then inquired
again:
rs not the Prime Minister making
rather light OF serious business?
Will he give an assurance that such
indiscreet. irresponsible and unpre-
meditated statements shall not be
repeated in the future by responsible
officers of the crown?"
Mr.. Chamberlain replied:
mo. My noble friend has ex-
pressed regret to me that his words
which perhaps were not very happily
chosen-should have given rise to SO
much comment and SO much un-
necessary alarm. do not think
that affects the efficiency Of my
noble friend. with whom I am per-
fectly satisfied"
Stanh0pe Explains.
While Mr.. Chamberlain spoke in
Commons, Lord Stanhope rose in the
House of Lords and explained that
| the guests on the aircraft carrier
Ark Royal last night had right to
expect all seats to be occupied and
| then declared:
Therefore, I ventured to explain
that the reason why there was not
full attendance was because some Of
the crews were on their own ships
in readiness to man the guns as had
been the normal practice in time OF
tension.
Il can only express my keen re-
gret that any remarks of mine EN-
phasizing the readiness of the navy
to meet all eventualitieS. even when
as now Easter leave is being given.
should have added to the work OF
the prime minister or caused con-
Germ to anybody else"
Opposition leaders seemed more
concerned with the suppression Of
the speech than with the speech
itself.
The Scottish leader of the Lib
erals, Sir Archibald Sinclair. asked:
"Is it not the Prime Minister'S own
action In interfering with the free
dom of the press which has insured
for the first lords statement re-
doubled publicity?"
Mr.. Chamberlain replied:
Il think 1t is appropriate for the
government from time to time to
make request to the press
and I always have found the press
ready to comply.
Il must take the blame for the
action, which certainly did not
produce the effect I wanted-to
prevent unnecessary agitation in
the minds of the public"
Chamberlain Takes Blame.
The Premier did rebuke Lord
Stanhope mildly by saying:
ut Is desirable in times like
this that every one should be very
careful of what they say. I am
sure my noble friend will take
special care after this experience" j"
Meanwhile, it was understood that
the discussions between Foreign Min
lister Joseph Beck of Poland and the
British foreign secretary. Viscount
Halifax, resulted in pledge that Po-
land would fight for Britain should
she be threatened by an aggressor.
This would be in return for the
British pledge to aid Poland, in ef-
feet constituting a military alliance.
| IT. DrObablV will be annOllnced for.