It was the German Government which took the initia- tive
in the new negotiations. Mr. Chamberlain in his statement on Foreign Affairs in the House of Commons on Thursday, the 5th, said that "a few weeks back" he received in the most confidential and secret form these proposals from the German Government. At first he refused to entertain them unless he was assured that they were being counnunicated to the French and other Allied Governments as well. On receiving such assurances he began to consider the German offer on its merits and he was able to tell the House :- " I would sooner not begin to give an appreciation of proposals which require the most serious consideration, which may have great possibilities in them for the peace and security of the world and may be a starting-point for a real recovery in the European situation. It is too soon to say whether-they are or are not, but it is not too soon foi me to say that his Majesty's Government attach the highest importahce to them and mean to give them their most serious consideration in the hope that, in this volhntary move- - ment of the German Government, there may be found a passage which will lead us away from the unhappy past to a better and more friendly future."
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