SUPPORT FOR SIR SAMUEL HOARE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21578, 14 September 1935, Page 17

SUPPORT FOR SIR SAMUEL HOARE

POLITICAL LEADERS PRAISE SPEECH

MR HERBERT MORRISON AND MR LLOYD GEORGE

(UNITED TSiaS ASSOCIATION —COPYBtOHT.) (Received September 13, 7.5 p.m.)

LONDON, September 12.

Speaking to-day at Plymouth, Mr Lloyd George referred to the Abyssinian dispute and the Foreign Secretary's speech in the League Assembly. He said: "In a crisis of this kind, the Government that represents Britain and the cause of right is, for that moment, at any rate, a National Government in the real sense of the term. It speaks for the nation as a whole.

"It was as well that all. the nations of Europe should know that Sir Samuel Hoare was confident that the country, without distinction of party, would be behind the Government in its decision to support the League Covenant." He welcomed also Sir Samuel Hoare's reference to the problem of the control of primary materials. Of the speech as a whole, he said: "It was outspoken; it was lucid; it was straightforward, and it was adroit. He rose to heights on a very great occasion." Mr Lloyd George declared: "Sanctions must be effective. Anything less would bring ridicule on the league, which cannot afford to face more derision, and must not repeat the mistake which it made with Japan. Sanctions would have been less drastic and more effective if the speech made three months ago had been followed by action. I hope that Sir Samuel Hoare will stand by his declaration firmly, otherwise we may get out of this quarrel only to become involved in a much greater one, where neither Britain's honour, word, or conscience is concerned."

Referring to the control of primary products, Mr Lloyd George said: "As a signatory to the Versailles Treaty, I do not think that the time is ripe for a revision of mandates." Mr Herbert Morrison, the Labour leader, declared that Sir Samuel Hoare's speech commanded overwhelming support in Britain, including that of the Labour electorates. He claimed that pressure of Labour and progressive opinion had finally compelled the Government to affirm its loyalty to the covenant. "Signor Mussolini now knows the world is against him," he said. "I appeal to the Italians, with whom we have no quarrel, to realise that they are being led into a wicked and disastrous action by an irresponsible fanatic with bloodthirsty tendencies.

"Mussolini, pointing scornfully to Abyssinia, and alleging inhumanities and incompetence, is surely, the joke of the century. He who is guilty of political assassination and castor oil exploits; who is still torturing political prisoners; who denies Italians the right to speak freely on public affairs—it is the same Mussolini who is posing as a saint compared with the Emperor, Haile Silassie.

' "I beg Italians, if war comes, to rise and destroy him and the brutal Fascist regime," concluded Mr Morrison.

SPEECH WELCOMED IN ABYSSINIA COLLECTIVE CONTROL PLAN WELL RECEIVED FOREIGN ADMINISTRATORS ACCEPTABLE

LONDON, September 12.

The Addis Ababa correspondent of "The Times," in a copyright message, states that Sir Samuel Hoare's speech has created a profound impression. The Emperor was particularly moved. Very frank applause is given to Sir Samuel Hoare's assurance of his belief in collective action, but the suggestion of collective development in backward countries was equally well received as being consistent with the Emperor's policy. This aspect of the Emperor's policy was disclosed in the Paris negotiations, where he appealed for general assistance in peaceful development, especially if it were possible without encroaching on the Emperor's sovereignty. Foreign advisers and administrators would be acceptable, provided words such as "protectorate" and "mandate" were not used, or models such as the former regime in Iraq employed. Moreover, the lion's share- of concessions or co-operation must not be given to Italy, as that would be considered incompatible with the safety of the throne.

ITALIAN ATTACKS ON BRITAIN VICIOUS CRITICISM IN PRESS "ABYSSINIA A REVOLUTIONARY GOAL" (Received September 14, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON, September 13. The Rome correspondent of "The Times" says some newspapers describe Sir Samuel Hoare's speech as a "monument of hypocrisy and theoretical and false blackmailing." One writer says: "We are not going to Abyssinia solely for raw materials and markets. It is for us a revolutionary goal."