Chamberlain speaks in Birmingham

Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister of Great Britain spoke yesterday in Birmingham, England. He was addressing the Jeweler's Association of that esteemed city. In his speech he spoke of continued peace but also of the preparations should that peace be no longer viable.

Early on in the speech, the Prime Minister addressed the effects of modern warfare saying that it is "so terrible in its effects on those who take part in it, no matter what the ultimate outcome may be, it brings so much loss and suffering even to those who stand aside and watch combat from the ring, that it ought never be allowed to begin unless every practicable and honorable step has been taken to prevent it". This he says is the "view of this government from the beginning". Last year's Munich Agreement is, as he says "an incident in a consistent, unwavering policy of peace."

He also states that "Without the improvement in the relations of this country and Italy, I could never have obtained Signor Mussolini's cooperation last September, and without his cooperation I do not believe peace could have been saved."

After bringing up the Italian dictator, Mr. Chamberlain spoke of his recent visit to Rome and meeting with Mussolini. This was to speak to the criticism that has recently been directed at Mr. Chamberlain concerning not only his visit to Rome which did not result in any agreement but also his recognition of the Franco government in war-torn Spain.

He claims that the visit to Rome was not without results. They were able to, in his words, "get to know Italian statesmen better, to ascertain by personal discussion what was their point of view and to make sure that they understood ourselves."

In addition, he claims that the he found "the intense and passionate desire of the Italian people for peace." Moreover, the "feeling is not confined to the peoples of Britain and Italy." He said quite optimistically, that one may find "the same thing in France...Germany...in every country of the world."

He cautioned immediately after making this statement "that it is with governments and not peoples that we have to deal." Despite this, he said "let us cultivate the friendship of the peoples, and that can be done by individuals and by traders as well as by more official representatives."

It seems that Mr. Chamberlain is encouraging a deepening friendship of European bortherhood amongst the British. Great Britain and its islands, has long has identity problems considering its geographic relationship with the rest of Europe.

He wanted it clear that "we do not regard them as potential foes but rather as human beings like ourselves with whom we are always prepared to talk on terms of equality, with an open mind to hear their point of view and to satisfy so far as we can any reasonable aspirations that they cherish and which do not conflict with the general rights of others to liberty and justice."

Now after taking a considerable time to be hopeful and optimistic, the Prime Minister turned his remarks toward an area that is less idealistic. He was more speculative and spoke of the possible defense that Great Britain may find herself embroiled in. "If we should ever be involved in a war" he said "we may well find that if we are not at all in the firing line, we may all be in the line of fire."

Despite the darkness of this particular image that the Prime Minister evoked he also said "...in meeting that danger there is a new opportunity of service for the civil population in the various branches of defense." It appears the Prime Minister foresees an increase in war-related jobs that may help the still sluggish growth of the British economy.

At this time, it was prudent for the Prime Minister to address preparations being made among the civilians, the homes, their communities and even their children. He mentioned the numerous steel air-raid shelters "which are to be provided to give protection to those who live in vulnerable areas and cannot be expected to provide them for themselves." Considering England and its industrial centers, that may be a very high number of air-raid shelters.

Moreover, he spoke the "evacuation from our large, congested cities. If evacuation is to be carried out effectively it must be done in an orderly manner and I think it will be generally agreed that we must consider the children first." According to Mr. Chamberlain, the Minister of Health has asked local communities for surveys of acceptable accommodations that may receive, house and care for children during a possible future wartime.

He later spoke of the rumors and gossip that has been in the papers and on the airwaves. These may be devisive and unsettling. "Today the air is full of rumors and suspicions which out not to be allowed to persist." Prior to this he also remarked that plans will be made publis with cooperation between civilians and authority but that there may times when "matters cannot be made public without prejudice to the national safety." In that event, "we shall disclose fully our revised plans for civil defense to all who would be affected by them."

At end of his speech, the Prime Minister devoted some time to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the current President of the United States of America. He recalled in the President's most recent New Year message that the President said "peace could only be endangered by... a demand to dominate the world by force. That would be a demand which, as the President indicated and I myself have plainly declared already, the deomcracies must inevitably resist."

Mr. Chamberlain, however, "cannot believe that any such challenge is intended." He returned to his earlier remarks on the ravages of modern warfare and the avoidance of such savagery by practical nations. He said " the consequences of war for the peoples on either side would be so grave that no government which has their interests at heart would lightly embark upon them. Moreover, I remain convinced that there are no differences between nations, however serious, that cannot be solved without recourse to war by the consultation and renegotiation as was laid down in the declaration signed by Herr Hitler and myself in Munich."

He finished by entreating all to "continue to pursue the path of peace and conciliation, but until we can agree on a general limitation of arms let us continue to make this country strong." He then made aspersions has he done so earlier to Great Britain's triumph over Napoleon. He remarked to the audience that Great Britain should "meet the future with the same courage which enabled our ancestors to win through their troubles a century and a quarter ago."

Mr. Chamberlain was received warmly by the Association. His remarks have been made available to the press. It can only be days before a response will come from Herr Hitler or Signor Mussolini.