CABINET SPLIT?

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 65, 18 March 1938, Page 7

CABINET SPLIT?

FOREIGN POLICY PREMIER'S PROBLEMS NOT CERTAIN OF FRANCE (United Press Association.— Copyright.—Rec. 1 p.m.) ' LONDON, March 1 7. The Australian Associated Presstsays that Mr. Chamberlain's position to-night is governed by four/main factors. These are: (1) An intensification df daffce-ences within the Cabinet. (2) The weakness of /the present French Government in conjunction with the-division in Fnench public opinion concerning Spain. (3) The urgency of reconvening the. Cabinet to evolve a declaration of foreign policy. (4) The equal urgency,of producing a Government declaration in face of uneasiness and uncertainties throughout i arliament and/the country. Mr. Chamberlain clearly confronts the most serious Cabinet differences, and much depends on the Cabinet's next meeting. It is gathered that/the differences Mr. Chamberlain Is striving to overcome occurred on the issue that Britain should make a declaration of her/ readiness to take a definite stand against dictators. ' Uncertainty in France. It is feared f that even if Mr. Chamberlain reunites the existing administr/ation public opinion, in its present mood, would force the Government into a dangerous short-view policy of facing up to the# dictators immediately. One of * Mr. Chamberlains greatest difficulties is the uncertainty of r ranee s political situation. It is understood that a sharp division in public opinion exists in France in connection with intervention in Spain. Many people, including the French General Staff, oppose intervention, and consequently the present administration s desire to intervene in no way represents united France.