The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-11

raids.
 Equal Prominence
 Newspapers gave equal promi- hence to Chamberlain's death, the visit of Russian Premier V. M. Mol otov to Berlin and Italian Greek war developments. All carried long obituaries.
 Most government leaders and newspapers stressed the tremendous responsibility which weighed upon Chamberlain during his "era of ap- peasement" and his subsequent bit- ter disappointment. The newspapers made no attempt to suppress con- demnation of Chamberlain's policy which led to the historic Munich agreement, but emphasized that whatever was history's verdict re- garding the wisdom of his policies, there could be no doubt of his cour- age, public spirit, integrity and de- votion to duty.
 Chamberlain's home city of Bir- mingham went into deep mourning with flags at half mast and many persons wearing black arm bands, especially in his Edgbasten consti- tuency.
 q am quite certain that the sym pathy of the whole country will be with Mrs. Chamberlain in her grief" said David Lloyd George, the World War prime minister who brought Chamberlain into his na- tional government as director of 1a- tional service.
 Praises His Devotion
 Lord Privy Seal Clement R. Attlee said, "he became prime minister at an extremely difficult time and al- though we disagreed with his policy on the one side there was never any doubt of his devotion to what he thought the right course"
 Former War Minister Leslie Hore Belisha said, history will judge his achievements but his contemporaries will with one accord be praising his high character, his elevated stand ards of duty and industrious devo- ton and service to the state"
 Chamberlain had firmly believed that Adolf Hitler would keep the promise he made in Munich in Sep tember, 1888. He came back to Lon don and said, T have brought back a peace with honor" He carried a copy of an agreement signed by himself and Hitler which told of the desire of our two peoples never to go to war with one another again.
 At that time Churchill had said, this is an unmitigated defeat for Britain; yet it is only bitter fore taste of bitter cup that will be offered to us year by year, unless by a supreme recovery of moral health and martial spirit we rise again and take our stand for freedom as in olden times"
 Popular Man
 But Chamberlain's policy was popular then and 1t remained so until German armies overran Czecholsolavkia, Memel and Poland. Britain then chose to fight and Chamberlain, explaining his declar- ation of war, said on September 3, 1889: you can imagine what bit- ter blow it is to me that all my long struggle for peace has failed ."
 Chamberlain then strengthened his cabinet, appointed "non-appeas- CTS" to government posts and led the empire in the struggle which subsequently, saw the fall of Dem mark, Norway, the Netherlands, Bel gium, Luxembourg and France. He resigned as prime minister in favor of Churchill on May 10 when Ger many invaded the low countries. He said then. "as long as l believe there was any chance of preserving peace honorably. I stroye to take 1t. When the last hope vanished and war could no longer be avoided stroye equally hard to wage 1t with all my might you and I must rally behind our new leader and, with united strength and with unshake- able courage, fight and work until this wild beast that has sprung out of his lair upon us be finally dis armed and oyerthrogn."
 Chamberlain did not become a politician until he was 60. He enter ed the house Of commons in 1918 Later he became postmaster gen- eral, paymaSter general, minister Of health. chancellor Of the exchequer and finally, on May 27, ie57. prime minister,