Our readers will find no actually new fact in• Mr.
Chamberlain's statement. We have foreshadowed several times lately what turns out to be the truth about Germany's proposal. It is that proposal which Mr.. Chamberlain adopts. Let us summarize it. As regards the eastern frontier of France, Germany is ready definitely to renounce all desire for change. She is prepared to enter, into a pact permanently guaranteeing the main- tenance of the frontier. She is not willing, however, that her own eastern frontiers should be subject to such a guarantee. Yet she offers to renounce all idea of altering them by force. It is her declared hope that some day it may be possible to alter those frontiers by peaceful negotiation, possibly with the help of the League of Nations. Mr. Chamberlain has satisfied himself, as he told the House, that the Germans are acting in good faith. He sees in their proposal " a sincere and honest attempt to lead up to a better state of things." In concluding his commendation of the German proposal of a Five-Power Pact, Mr. Chamberlain used words which- showed how earnestly he believed in its probable benefits and how deeply he was stirred by the thoughts of the disastrous results of failure. * * * *
