FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 244, 28 July 1936, Page 5

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

REVIEW BY MR EDEN.

THE ‘R‘HINELAND AND SPAIN.

SUCCESS OVER. DARDANELLES. I "“ i (United Press Association—Copyright)? (Received This Day, 12.20 p.m.) ‘ LONDON, July 27. An important speech reviewing different aspects of the foreign situation was made by the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden), in opening a debate in the House of Commons. Mr Eden recalled! the efforts of the British Government, ever since the German reoccupation of. the Rhine land, to restore confidence and make of the area of difficulty) an area. of opportunity. The Government, in March, addressed to the German Government certain questions, which were neither acrimonious nor inquisitive. Had they received an early and constructive reply it would have saved much time, The outcome of the brief three-power meeting in London Would show how completely the constructive objective which they hand; in view was realised. Desire to agree on a new ’Lo-carno Pact and to reach a. European settlement was as keenly felt by the French. and Belgian Ministers as by the British. The most important lesson of the Dardanelles Conference was that it had been shown that revision of- the treaty by negotiation and agreement in accordance with normal procedure and the principles of international relations could lead to a settlement more favourable to all concerned than the method of repudiation of treaty engagements and by unilateral action. The conference had undoubtedly brought about a closer and more cordial understanding between the British and Turkish Governments.

Mr Eden said that Italian representatives in the capitals of Yugoslavia, Greece and Turkey had emphasised that Italy regarded the sanctions chapter as being‘ definitely and completely over and they looked forward confidently to a new period of mutual co-opera-tion between all nations. In the View of the British Government there ’was now no further need for continuance of unilateral assurances given to certain Mediterranean Powers during the term of economic sanctions.

Turning to the situation in Spain, Mr Eden detailed the measures taken for the safety of British nationals, and he was glad to say that the Spanish Government had accepted all the points put to. it within the limits of its capacity. Arrangements were being made for a convoy to take foreigners from Madrid to Valencia, but he had no information whether it had been possible to carry this through-British official WVireless.