We have all been found wanting

IF I do not begin this afternoon by paying the usual, and indeed almost invariable, tributes to the Prime Minister for his handling of this crisis, it is certainly not from any lack of personal regard. We have always, over a great many years, had very pleasant relations, and I have deeply understood, from personal experiences of my own in a similar crisis, the stress and strain he has had to bear: but I am sure it is much better to say exactly what we think about public affairs, and this is certainly not the time when it is worth anyone's while to court political popularity.

I will, therefore, begin by saying the most unpopular and most unwelcome thing. I will begin by saying what everybody would like to ignore or forget, but which must nevertheless be stated: namely, that we have sustained a total and unmitigated defeat, and that France has suffered even more than we have. The utmost my right Hon Friend, the Prime Minister, has been able to secure, by all his immense exertions, for Czechoslovakia in the matters which were in dispute, has been that the German dictator, instead of snatching the victuals from the table, has been content to have them served to him course by course.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer [Sir John Simon] said it was the first time Herr Hitler had been made to retract - I think that was the word - in any degree. We really must not waste time, after all this long debate, upon the difference between the positions reached at Berchtesgaden, at Godesberg and at Munich. They can be very simply epitomised, if the House will permit me to vary the metaphor.

pounds 1 was demanded at the pistol's point. When it was given, pounds 2 was demanded at the pistol's point. Finally, the dictator consented to take pounds 1 17s 6d, and the rest in promises of goodwill for the future.

I am not quite clear why there was so much danger of Great Britain or France being involved in a war with Germany at this juncture if, in fact, they were ready all along to sacrifice Czechoslovakia.

Herr Hitler's victory, like so many of the famous struggles that have governed the fate of the world, was won upon the narrowest of margins. After the seizure of Austria in March, we faced this problem in our debates. I ventured to appeal to the Government to go a little further than the Prime Minister went, and to give a pledge that, in conjunction with France and other powers, they would guarantee the security of Czechoslovakia.

France and Great Britain together, especially if they had maintained a close contact with Russia, which certainly was not done, would have been able in those days in the summer, when they had the prestige, to influence many of the smaller states of Europe.

All these forces, ready to stand firm upon the front of law and for the ordered remedy of grievances, would have formed, might well have been effective. Between submission and immediate war, there was this third alternative, which gave a hope not only of peace but of justice.

All is over. Silent, mournful, abandoned, broken, Czechoslovakia recedes into the darkness. She has suffered in every respect by her association with the Western democracies.

We in this country, as in other liberal and democratic countries, have a perfect right to exalt the principle of self-determination, but it comes ill out of the mouths of those in totalitarian states who deny even the smallest element of toleration to every section and creed within their bounds.

I do not grudge our loyal, brave people, who were ready to do their duty no matter what the cost. I do not grudge them the natural, spontaneous outburst of joy and relief when they learnt that the hard ordeal would no longer be required of them; but they should know the truth.

They should know that we have passed an awful milestone in our history, when the whole equilibrium of Europe has been deranged, and that the terrible words have, for the time being, been pronounced against the Western democracies: "Thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting." And do not suppose that this is the end.

This is only the beginning. This is only the first sip, the first foretaste of a bitter cup which will be proffered to us year by year unless, by a supreme recovery of moral health and martial vigour, we arise again and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time.