Evening star., 1939-04-03
Tert OF Prime Minister
Chdmberldin's speech in
Commons on page Az.
By the Associated Press.


LONDON, April 3-Prime Minis
ter Chamberlain told the House OF
Commons today that the Anglo
French pledge of aid for Poland
would be followed by similar COM
mitments to other countries which
stand in the way of any attempt
by Germany to dominate Europe.
II am no more a man of war
today than I was in September,
Mr.. Chamberlain declared. Il have
no intention and no desire to treat
the German people otherwise than
I would have our own people
treated here"
He said Britain was concerned TO
preserve not only the independence
of this country but OF all states
which might be threatened by ag-
gression."
Four Developments.
Mr.. Chamberlain's statement came
after these developments:
1.R. A. Butler, undersecretary
for foreign affairs, indicated Britain
was prepared to make rearmament
loan 10 RuHldIlld,
2. Foreign Secretary Viscount
Halifax told the House OF Lords
that nothing could be further from
the truth than German charges that
Britain and France were trying to
encircle the Reich;
3. Col. Joseph Beck, Polish foreign
minister, arrived for vital consulta-
tions.
4. Mr.. Chamberlain rejected a re-
quest for compulsory registration OF
British manpower-a step toward
conscription which he said would
Interfere with the drive for recruits
for an enlarged territorial army.
Mr.. Chamberlain declared that
"public opinion throughout the
world has been profoundly shocked
and alarmed this country is
united from end to end in the con-
viction that we must make our posi-
ton clear and unmistakable what
ever the result.
There is not any threat to Ger
many so long as Germany will be
a good neighbor."
Joseph P. Kennedy, United States
Ambassador, sat in the distinguished
visitors gallery during the Commons
session.
Mr.. Chamberlain said:
I'VE welcome the cooperation OF
any country, whatever its internal
system of government, not IN ag-
gression but in resistance to aggres-
sion"
This was taken as direct invl-
tation to Soviet Russia to join in a
Europe-wide bloc against expanding
Nazi Germany.
The Prime Minister added to a
house which constantly cheered
him:
I'VE are now entering into a spe-
cific engagement. If this German
policy were pursued, Poland would
not be the only country in danger -
This statement, it was felt, fore
shadowed an early guarantee OF
Rumania's independence such as
that already made to Poland with
French collaboration.
Although the Prime Minister did
not specify it, it was expected Ru-
mania would be the first nation
given guarantees similar to Polands
Assurances Thrown to Wind
Mr.. Chamberlain bitterly recalled
chat in September some people
thought Germany had already chal-
ienged the world, but that he then
had the assurance of the German
government that they had no such
desire. But now, he said, these
assurances have been thrown to the
wind"
Germany, he said, had complete
ly destroyed confidence and forced
the British government to make
that great departure of which 1
gave the first information on Fri
day"
Mr.. Chamberlain referred to Pres
ident Roosevelt's New Year message
in which the President condemned
any nation which attempted to