ITALIAN PACT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 21, 4 November 1938, Page 5

ITALIAN PACT

APPROVAL BY THE COMMONS. THE POSITION IN SPAIN. “MENACE TO PEACE REMOVED.” (United Press Association —Copyright.) LONDON, November 2. In the House of Commons to-day, the Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain), in moving the motion, “that this House welcomes Britain’s intention to bring the British-Italian agreement into force,” recalled his observation yesterday on his joint declaration with Herr Hitler, at Munich, that if it were suitably followed up, it might well be found to contain the seed of a new era of confidence and peace in Europe. Since the date of the British-Italian agreement there bad been no differences between Italy and Britain, but it was clear that if tlie improvement in the relations which followed the conclusion of the agreement were to he maintained, the delay in putting it into force, already over six months, could not be indefinitely prolonged. The issue before tlie House was not the agreement itself, which already had been approved by a large majority, but whether the preliminary conditions which he had laid down as essential before it could come into force had now been fulfilled.

In making the condition lie had stated Britain’s recognition of Italian sovereignty of Abyssinia would be morally justified if Britain could feel that it would constitute an important step toward a general appeasement in Europe, but the Government must be able to consider that the Spanish question had been settled, and on July 2G, in reply to an interjection by tlie Leader of the Opposition (Mr C. R. Attlee) he had said: “If Britain thinks that Spain has ceased to be a menace to the peace of Europe, I think we shall regard that as a settlement of the Spanish question.” Withdrawal of Troops. » / Since then the British plan fpr the withdrawal of volunteers had been accepted by the Powers on the Non-Inter-vention Committee, and the Spanish Government had announced at Geneva its intention to withdraw the International Brigade. Moreover, at Munich, Signor Mussolini had volunteered the information that he intended to withdraw 10,000 men from Spain. These had now been withdrawn.

It was true that Italian pilots, aircraft and other material remained in Spain, but Britain had received from Signor Mussolini the following assurances :

(1) That the remaining Italian forces in all categories would he withdrawn under the Non-Intervention Committee’s plan when it came into -operation.

(2) No further Italian troops would be sent to Spain. a (3- Italy had never for a moment entertained the idea of sending a compensatory air force to Spain in place of the infantry forces withdrawn. “These three assurances, in conjunction with the actual withdrawal of this large body of men, in my judgment constitute a substantial indication of tho earnest and good intentions .of Italy, and form a considerable contribution to the elimination of the Spanish question as a menace to peace, but they are not the only considerations weighing with Britain. “When I was at Munich, I spoke on the future of Spain with both Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini, and both of them assured me most definitely that they had no territorial ambitions whatever in Spain. In my mind it is perfectly clear that the Spanish question is no longer a menace to the peace of Europe, and consequently there is no valid reason why we should not now take the step which obviously would contribute to a general appeasement.” Sovereignty Over Abyssinia. The Prime Minister then made the point that if any justification was required for the policy of agreement with Italy, -it could he found in the action of Signor Mussolini, when, at Mr Chamberlain’s request, he used his influence with Herr Hitler before the Munich meeting. By that act of Signor Mussolini the peace of Europe was saved, and it could not he supposed that he would have responded to Mr Chamberlain’s request if British relations with Italy had remained what they were 18 months ago. Regarding recognition of Italian Sovereignty over Abyssinia, the Prime Minister said that new credentials would be issued to the British Ambassador (the Earl of Perth) on similar lines to those which the French Government intended to give its new Ambassador to Rome. The French Government had stated that it welcomed the British Government’s intention, as it welcomed, generally, anything which could contribute to an improvement in British and Italian relations.

In conclusion.,' Air Chamberlain read two messages received from the heads of the Australian and South African Governments. Air Lyons stated that the Australian Government was convinced that the British - Italian agreement should he brought, into operation forthwith as a contribution to peace, and do jure recognition accorded the Italian conquest of Abyssinia. The withdrawal of 10,000 Italian troops from Spain seemed to it a real contribution, and in its opinion a peaceful and friendly Alediterranean was essential in the present condition of the world. To refuse do jure recognition would seem to ignore the facts and to risk danger over a matter which Avas now immaterial. General Hertzog’s message said he felt that the step was wise and necessary, and.would materially contribute to the appeasement of Europe. “It will be observed,” said Air Chamberlain, “how both Air Lyons and General Hertzog have gone to what I think is the root of the matter, and recognised that in the action which Britain

is proposing to take, it is not concerned solely with the relations ‘between Britain and Italy. The step we are taking must be regarded as a step in tho policy of appeasement which I have described on so many occasions.” The Government’s motion was carried by 345 votes to 138. About 12 Government members abstained from voting.

NO MESSAGE FROM NEW ZEALAND. QUESTION BY OPPOSITION MEMBER.. • ' LONDON, November 2. During the debate on the BritishItalian agreement in the House of Commons to-day, Air Campbell Stephen (Independent Labour) asked if there was ainy message from New Zealand. Air Chamberlain • No. Nothing either way. Air Stephen : 0)r Canada ? Air Chamberlain: No. The Prime Alini step added that if the House approved of the motion the prospects of peace would generuily be improved. “Let us end any idea that we. desire to keep any State at arm’s length,” he added. Air Arthur Greenwood (Labour) sand that his information was that. :he Abyssinian war was by no- means over. Signor Mussolini could not be regarded as an effective master. The pri e of the agreement would lie paid by the people of Spain where helpless Avomen and children might he bombed and British lives and shipping endangered. The great British trade routes and interests Avere threatened. Hie integrity of the Empire Avould he endangered so long as Air Charnlx'.vlain retained his friendship with a tottering dictator.