What They Said and Say (1939)

From the October 1939 issue of the Socialist Standard

When It Will End—A Prophecy

Every week during the war we intend giving a leather medal for the greatest thoughts expressed in war-time.

This week it is awarded to Dr. Hugh Dalton, M.P., for the following: —

” ‘The war would end when, above the war zones of Europe, with her Allies, Britannia ruled the clouds.’

“Speech at Bishop Auckland last Saturday.”

From Forward, September 16th, 1939.

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What “We Are Fighting For—Herbert Morrison

“Herr Hitler left us and France no choice. The precious freedom we British have—incomplete though it is—is a freedom of high value. We must not lose it 

“All of us must help our country. But we must also think of humanity. When war is over our great task must be the building of a peaceful world based on human brotherhood.”

(Forward, September 16th, 1939.)

* * *

Another “War to End War”

“What made a blasphemy of the sacrifices of 1914-1918 was the betrayal of the principles of justice and freedom by those who inherited the world which the dead in those years had won for the living. To-day we must swear that never shall we make that betrayal again.

“If the war is to be won, in the sense that when it is over the fear of future wars will have been banished and a sane world order established, then from the first, and onwards to the bitter end, this nation must keep unswervingly before it the goal of a just and honest peace, founded on freedom and fair dealing for all peoples.”

(News Chronicle, September 3rd, 1939.)

* * *

Mr. Pat Sloan on the Impossibility of a German-Russian Pact

“We are assured that a rapprochement between the Soviet system and Fascism is an impossibility, a ‘mirage’.”

From a review of Pat Sloan’s book, “Russia— Friend or Foe?” which appeared in the Manchester Guardian the day the Russian-German Pact was announced.”—(Forward, September 9th, 1939.)

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The Real Victors—By Daladier

“If French and German blood shall flow again as it did 25 years ago, in a war still longer and more murderous, then both nations would fight confident of victory. The real victor, however, would only be destruction and barbarity.”—M. Daladier, reported in the Daily Telegraph, August 29th, 1939.

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Who Walks Into Whose Trap ?

“If we went in without the help of Russia we would be walking into a trap. It was the only country whose armies could get there and that had an air fleet to match the Germans.”—Mr. Lloyd George, in the House of Commons on April 3rd, 1939.

* * *

The “Daily Worker” Re-Discovers Polish Fascism

“The British people are … for an independent and democratic Poland, freed from all varieties of German and Polish Fascism, but they will not risk their lives to restore Poland’s right to rule over non-Polish minorities.”

The re-discovery was made after the Russian army entered Poland.

Harry Waite