2 September 1939, shortly after 3 a.m.

Fellow Australians, this is proving a most disturbing and anxious
night. You have read in the extraordinary editions of the
newspapers, and heard on the wireless, news of an attack by
Germany on Poland. At present, I have no official confirmation of
these matters, though the frequency and character of the reports
would appear to leave little doubt that hostilities have begun.

I do know that the British Cabinet has met, and is in urgent
consultation with the French Government, and that we are on the
very brink of war.

The whole affair is very difficult to explain on any honest basis.

Only a few hours ago we heard for the first time of the terms of
settlement suggested by Germany, which, whatever we may think of
them in detail, were much more moderate than many people expected.

But we are not now to be misled by that because, if it is true
that Germany attacked Poland, and invaded her territory within a
few hours of the promulgation of her terms, then it is clear that
the announcement of those terms was not a real offer, but was mere
propaganda, since Germany attacked Poland before Poland had had
time even to discuss the proposals in her Cabinet.

That [sic] thought that I want to leave in your minds to-night is
that there is one thing that is crystal clear, and that is that
under all the circumstances, and having regard to the way in which
negotiations were being conducted, war could not [sic] come about
only if Germany wanted it.

The problem of the Corridor and of Danzig plainly was susceptible
of peaceful settlement. Nobody could doubt that, with goodwill and
a real desire for peace on the German side, such a settlement
could have been achieved.

To dismiss the possibilities of settlement and to accompany acts
of aggressive war-fare with statements about 'honour' and
'dignity' (as if dignity weighed for anything where millions of
human lives are at stake) is a crime against humanity.

If this crime has really been committed-as I fear it has-then the
people of our race will go to war with a clear conscience, with
confidence in the righteousness of their cause and with a feeling
of absolute assurance that justice, reason, and honest dealing
cannot be overthrown, and that we cannot be defeated in their
defence.