BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21464, 4 May 1935, Page 15

BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY

Statement by Prime Minister BRITAIN TO ARM IN THE AIR Appeal to Germany to Enter Agreement ...: i i i -II 'JFV'II'IAI, VVmr.LESS.I llvceived May 3, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, May 2. The eagerly-awaited debate on foreign affairs in the House oi Omnjons was notable for the firm declaration of British policy made by the Frame Minister (Air Eamsay AlacDonald). That policy, he declared, was n;t aimed at military alliances but at the widest possible co-operation. Every other nation would }, t* welcomed in this free companionship. •The outlook —i say this wii.li great conviction and considerable intimacy of knowledge—has chances of appeasement a 5 well as palpable dangers, anil it is the constant care of Great Britain to help on the chances that must come from negotiated agreements without disturbance to the peace of Europe i.r the world," added Air AlacD.mald. He made an earnest plea for German co-operation in the maintenance of peace and a limitation of armaments, especially in the air. Mt St. U. Bennett (Canada), Air S. ftl. Bruce (Australia), Sir James Parr (New Zealand), and Air J. W. Dulanty (Irish Free State), occupied seats in the Dominions Gallery and most of the foreign ambassadors, except the German Ambassador, were present to hear the debate.

Mr .Vk-cDonald said lie was most iurprwed that Germany had chosen y,, ; . pi-<?! ; efil moment to announce a nhipbuilditii:', programme, especially or;t' ir.chidi.'.'g submarines. Though •j'ii- German submarine decision was ouihi'jiL, the British Government was it ill prepared to have naval talks! w;<h Germany. Tiie Government bad already taKeti iiep:i to expand and accelerate '..'itf Roy id Air Force programme but ,*. Aili called th-- powers to underlie t'j limit air armaments. "Our ■r/uiicy," he sa.d, "is combined de- ; trice u,'hl collet: Jve security witft an international anus agreement. it ijoe.: no', aim at military alliances." 'Hie understanding between ,i.,iiUni. France, and Hay was ol \«;l.i- :..> .s guarantee of peace. It '..;». i: et.id uubotly. 1 «tin U sloo i j tit v nt ic rub uary , » ji it Vu i i i c It a the 4 n mi it m i t tn i (iu and n (i < i tn ( jj ( the it i t ip t I is a i u t i t U 1.1 tm n pact t ii* i c! tut l I o /us Lo £,!(!« I m ui a u uises ii iii If n it could rt < J i lu ieater : ii i i (i i t inn pcan ; iul 1 di i> i i t I ii '< ii i < it on in- ' 1 i t ti v it n h m iway ; n le let un i ci were j t j, j i i Luio v m i 1 ition- j i \ i l wx i ii i * 11 ti it oni for !■ d » i ai lieu utn< tn. ', n ti i nn j ill i cinments, j l j > \ hi i h id b jgun j it tilt bh n „o< dw 11 in | j j i i i tor 1 i ui i Un t uing i ' [i i p ti » u inpiovmtr and i m i, hi I'ttjwird Ceimmy ac- j t pt ' h t'i lu it on it ir > rate i i .. j t )i dis u i m tn it hope ! U n tntt id It w „ c ttiy to t 'i ,)>>i(d tl u it th t moment the! UfimMi G) t-x ment amounted its! tent fn n impo c ton eiipt on and *«ke irnitotute ttjs to rue the | at i>niH*l of hs nn\j to ojO.OOQ : i n is v ell i o < i r it in ditary ] ( M« | ' k ft 1 t i n m i de il with j •ii tm t \ nits n p< 1 titi m had j ' f tl ( (tu ii Hu ltion piaetii i ' ( ij i tti\t!\ i id >n< he ped, 1 ii n m< iii Alternative Polieie; J ( p il u i in h id t > decide be- j t 'n 10 rrif r i„ i if ittrmpt to j " ' i j < „ n i il i tuh lu ic a ; k i i [ u c ji 1 > kmg : < 11 i in i * < iinuin ition; of - u ' i \ th I i 1 nt\ti yet i «' •■ ii f i u ii I never! ijir* t t i (< n id( ltd ih tuture 11! n \ n th i Ifcn liitler i" •• ml tn t tn ni 1 h motile' sign it*- i sf I in h tit n( tould not ru < i l i > j| i f j ( m under- ' ii f i i d mv i bid it. It ' Jid b< i >t> a tn f ih u H tlei had i *>it h i u c i ( 1 h< it Imi and ! i" 1 >m ii i if i turn m Govf t i nt t ii ti pf i < tli tl f pn it and j '» i«-itii ih I ot un > \ vet The I * t'ji i n i i ui u J r i t gen- ' j 1 i »i ill ii ii Jin op • be- j J < ) i i i i d th b „inrnng of ' m d r in i pi < ttl i i t t No- ' g t ' • i or n it vhich ium ot d d luii n In*«i \ tr t f i th Si i I'oni t ! j j i d f i u ill i point i ' mi' i limui (hu md it ip n th it i ' J'dd be * Pi t 1 i 'iii i i un m d prol «.! til iin ( f (i rtain ' ti it i \ \ 1 tin) k in fears d i i 1 i i ui of it i u it i d (urity ( i ' i i in t di ecily < 1 ! iiiiw d but * i it \ ii i ition r it li i i i t in ( rder j f f i ii ult \ ith a * i I ukl m i I vice, *i (id Icome ' n hould be put t | i pic duciru: i il 11 ir tc'Uird ' i i i th Ft di m Govi K ' i t< t )i)\i 1 ■ a Wt ( t mrn nt coni i f Ui disi i i| , [ iii ( overn--1 oi i pi i ntt d tit 1 ) I i i ) u it was < met ' i it i* i not 1 '" trt i\ i i u rrnnitrnents 5 *' i i I it t u ild I e i-e-JW**<rU i j ,i, e i\ so that it * VX U i u i t< touih with *V <n f tt di t u sio i and * f < > i ' til ad nron^i. *" l> i n f pet i » lv ib'e to ftake 4 i ( i,i f ( )nt»iDi!t on to any *'***«* f i ot m * t; t\ tn Fa item Furope. Herr Hitler's Troposals _£be i>* i i in C hart olloi during Sir !*» S rn u v Kit to Bcihn declared P«*-i!lir r uj principle to negoti*j* * m«ilnpt< nor agf,rccsi\e pact *»« iMtrm fuioptin countries,

and although they had hoped Germany would be prepared to joui in a more comprehensive arrangement, nevertheless the proposals put forward by Herr Hitler ought not to be allowed to drop, and they trusted Germany herself would take immediate steps to promote in more concrete shape the idea which the Chancellor had formulated. There was no reason why such a non-aggression pact should not harmonise with- the mutual guarantee pact which France and other countries were now negotiating, and, indeed, in his opinion the two could very well supplement each other and thus help toward creating a complete system of collective security in Eastern Europe. '•I wish to make it clear," said tiie Prune Minister, "that as far as this Government is concerned we did not and do not consider that the security which the London declaration is meant to establish can be complete without German participation. "When the whole declaration was reviewed at Stresa the policy pursued by the British delegates was to maintain the possibility of such co-operation. All these activities assumed the idea of collective security i" some form or another. The genera! attitude of the Government is to approach the problem with a flexible mind, in order to obtain as far as possible the realisation of the dea. with its effective check upon aggression. "It is manifest and indisputable that when these efforts are being made to build up an instrument of co-operation and goodwill, in which Germany would take her due and proper part, such unilateral declarations as those just made in Berlin regarding land, air. and naval forces must profoundly disturb the peace of mind of the whole of Europe. The Government has taken note of every helpful suggestion made in Berlin or elsewhere, but it must observe that some feeling of mutual confidence has to be recreated before the full and beneficial effect of the international negotiations on details can be reached. "The instructions we took with rs to Stresa did not exclude any country on account of what had happened from taking part in further negotiations on the Mnc-p of the London declaration. Nothing done at Stresa annulled that declaration. We recognised with great regret that the circumstances had changed, but the general purpose of that declaration still remains the objective of the immediate- British foreign policy. More Co-operation Wanted "It will be a great calamity if there is any weakening or deterioration in the confidence which exists between France, Italy, and ourselves, and we shall take all care that shall not happen. Our aim is to increase the number of co-opera-tors: and try to prevent by every means their being separated into different and rival camps.

"Will tint Germany now come over and show her readiness to help restore international confidence, so rudely shaken by her recent independent, action in regard to armaments? The British Government is convinced that international cooperation is the only basis on which world peace can rest. Referring to the arrangements made for the preliminary discussions in London on naval matters with German representatives, the Prime Minister confessed to great surprise that the present was the moment chosen by Germany to announce a shinbui'ding programme, especially one including submarines. It would be difficult to imagine that this would be of no concern to the British Government. Great Britain had unique responsibilities of worldwide character, different from other powers. They were prepared to let e'-ery naval power in the world know what these needs were and to come to an international agreement which would make expansion beyond rock bottom needs unnecessary, thus preventing extravagance and waste. t i'The German decision to uuild submarines is ominous and I do not intend to minimise its gravity," said Mr Mac-Donald, "but we still are prepared, without in any way conceding her the right to disregard any treaty provisions, to receive the German representatives in London for the contemplated preliminary conversations. These will be carried on in precisely the same conditions as were those with the United States and Japan." Britain to Build Referring to air armaments, the Prime Minister recalled Mr Baldwin's assurances last November that in no case would Britain accept any position of inferiority to whatever air force might be raised in Germany in the future. During the visit of Sir John Simon and Mr R. A. Eden to Berlin, the German Chancellor had stated that , Germany had reached parity with Britain in the air. Whatever might

be the exact interpretation of that [phrase in terms of air strength, it ! undoubtedly indicated that the GerIman force had been expanded to a [point considerably in excess of the estimates previously placed before the House of Commons. i That was a grave fact, of which both the Government and the Am Ministry had taken immediate notice. More Air Expansion ''The Government takes this early opportunity to state publicly that Mr Baldwin's declaration stands, and that we are already taking steps for further and accelerated expansion of the British Air Force to implement his declaration," Mr Mac Donald said. He recalled the references to the air pact in the London declaration, and the reference to it m the Stresa resolution, which he said might turn out of great importance, and in which Britain, France, and Italy agreed "to continue the active study of the question, with a view to the drafting of a pact between the five powers mentioned in the London communique, and of any bilateral agreements which might accompany it." This resolution was under consideration at the moment by the British Government, and he would like to interpolate the hope that they might, reach an agreement on air strengt... Air Agreement Wanted

"The destructive possibilities of air warfare are so appalling that surely every civilised nation must strive to its utmost to reduce the use of tliis terrible weapon. At this moment, before we have gone very far, the British Government urges .with all the influence that it commands that a halt should be called, and the powers concerned should limit the air arm within well-defined bounds, to be fixed by free negotiations.

"I commend it. if I may venture to do so, and t make bold to do so. especial I v to the German Government. Public opinion in this country indicates approval of the at tempts to find practical ways of setting up this instrument of mutual security. In this matter we are moved' by no thought of oppressive military alliances; they form no part of our purpose, but we are seeking with the powers, including Germany, a defensive combination against attack which will protect our civilian population, in particular, against the destruction which aerial warfare makes absolutely inevitable.

Labour Disappointed Mr George Lansbury (leader of cue Opposition), who followed Mr MacUonald, said Labour was most disappointed with the Prime Minister's statement.

After three years of disarmament talk he dealt largely with an increase in armaments as the preliminary basis to peace. Had the Government gone back on the League Covenant in favour of relying on four or live nations? _

Labour had no confidence in peace pacts based on enormous armaments: it. had great faith in peace through the league He congratulated the Government on leaving the door wide open to Germany to enme in. Sir Herbert Samuel (Liberal) said public opinion would not support o wholehearted alliance with other nowers against Germany because of f he uneasy consciousness that there was some substance in the German "llogali"" Ihat the nowers. in refu^V.i/ to iM-irn, n-ei'P "OliaUv fqi ; ltv nf a breach <>f the Versailles •p,■(.•:!v. At the s.-me tone Germany <-)->ould be fivr-n n, >.,,<■]r-rsf.'-'-vl vom ■dl of fhf> House that if sh" nursued her course and did not come to an arm? limitation, agreement she would rompe' the resentment and disamirovnl of evgry of the British neople. Sir Austen Chamberlain said he hoped Fir John Simon would give them a fuller revelation of the German mind. Did Germanv want the dictated peace of Versailles substituted bv a peace dictated from Berlin? '(Cheers. ) He protested against sendim; only an observer to the Rome conference. Austrian independence was the keypieco of European peace. If Germany had a partner mind she would welcome it. If she thought she could extort her own will she would find this country in her path again. With Britain she would find all the great free Commonwealths around it. and would meet a force which would again be her master. (Cheers.) Sir John Simon, closing the debate, denied that the Government had gone back upon the covenant of the league or had accepted regional pacts as an alternative. These were not competitive methods. The Treaty of Locarno itself was a regional pact. Answerin" Sir Herbert Samuel. Sir John Simon explained that if Germany attacked Russia and the Treaty uf Mutual Assistance made France assist Russia, the Locarno Treaty placed Britain under no obligation to assist Germany. Sir John Simon said undoubtedly the rate of production of aeroplanes in Germany had increased much more rapidly than Britain's advisers thought likely last autumn. Since he had seen Herr Hitler in Berlin he had ascertained that the statement: "Germany ha? reached parity with Britain in the air," was intended to imply that Germany's first lino strength was between 800 and 850 machines. That figure did not include auxiliary or special reserve units, but in Britain's case it included machines overseas. Sir John Simon conc'uded: "Germany is now helping herself to equality by unilateral action. We have kept the door open to Germany. We did not engage in a senseless, endless, hopeless competition of piling up armaments, but we are bound to establish the s-""etv of this country. We have a great work to do as mediator; as such we implore Germany to show that she is orepared to take her part, not only in-word but in deed." The debate was adjourned.

AEROPLANE ENGINES FOR GERMANY KXi'GKT NOT '! O Y.K PROHIBITED - LONDON, May 2. In the House of Commons Mr Waller Runciman (President of the Board of Trade) informed Mr F. S. Cocks (Labour) that during 1934, 96 aeroplane engines were exported by Great Britain to Germany, and nons in the first quarter of 1935. Mr Cocks: In view of the illegal arming of Germany, will you prevent this export' Mr Runciman: The export of these engines does not require a license. There is no reason to suppose the engines exported for civil aeroplanes are not fit and proper subjects for export. Mr Cocks: Will you take steps to stop this trade? Mr Runciman: No.