PRESS COMMENT ON THE NOTE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 299, 1 October 1935, Page 5

PRESS COMMENT ON THE NOTE.

NO UNCONDITIONAL PROMISE.

UNITY OF THE EMPIRE

LONDON, ,September 29

The “News-Chronicle” interprets Sir Samuel H'oare’s Note as plainly meaning that Blriitain would not be committed unconditionally to sanctions against Germany because Franco sought to prove that Germany had broken the disarmament clauses of the Versailles Treaty; that Britain would also not bo committed if Austria voluntarily coalesced with Germany ; and, moreover, she would not ho committed to military or naval action in disputable cases such as Mem el, where the determination of the real aggressor might he very difficult.

The “Daily Mail” hopes the Note is a prelude to greater aloofness from Continental; entanglements-, land the abandonment of sanctions. It adds: “It would be a real gain if henceforth Britain made the British Empire our league, with London instead of Geneva as-the headquarters for determining the policy.” “The Times,” in a. leading article, says: “Nobody who has followed the Empire’s evolution can he, under any illusion regarding its instincts for peace and justice. The Dominions are becoming more conscious of' the danger of a world in which the great nations do not possess such voice as theirs for the choice between war and peace. Dominion parliamentary debates and their delegates’ attitude in Geneva revealed a unanimity previously incredible. “It is also inconceivable, that the Dominions or any class in Britain should disagree regarding the necessity for

revision of imperial defences, although it is unnecessary to decry their inadequacy in the present situation. Rearmament does not involve a change of foreign policy, but at present, unhappily, there can be neither peace nor flreedom from '-anxiety ivliile those countries which appreciate these blessings least are allowed to be strongest.”

FRANCE COMPLETELY SATISFIED

“COULD BE MORE DEFINITE.”

PARIS, September 29

An official message states that tho Government is completely satisfied with Sir Samuel Hoare’s note. It adds: “Nothing could be more definite.”