BRITAIN’S POLICY DEFENDED

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21827, 6 July 1936, Page 9

BRITAIN’S POLICY DEFENDED

MR BALDWIN ON RISKS OF WAR

FULFILLING OBLIGATIONS OF COVENANT (BRITISH OmCUIi WIRELESS.I RUGBY, July 3. Speaking at the London Conservative Association’s centenary dinner, in a vigorous justification of the Government’s policy, the Prime Minister (Mr Stanley Baldwin) said that circumstances had proved that the sanctions imposed on Italy were not swift enough in practice to effect what they had all hoped might be possible. There came a point, said Mr Baldwin, when further pressure might well have meant war, and once a war was in progress no one knew where it would spread or when it would end. Last year, during certain developments in Europe, he was convinced that if this country were again to participate in sanctions, she should do so with the knowledge that they might very likely leave war in their train, and she must therefore prepare herself to fulfil her obligations under the covenant in any circumstances. That was why Britain was now preparing, in the event of it being necessary at any time, to observe her obligations under the covenant, whatever might be the result.

Until trade once more began to circulate, and goods could be exchanged and paid for by the nations, there was no permanence in security. Though they all knew that they must go on quickly with rearmament, they realised that the expenditure Britain was making on armaments was at the expense of her international trade. They had to emphasise the folly of such procedure *in their conversations with foreign countries, for if they were protracted too long it might ruin her. The Prime Minister added: “It is our strongest desire to bring together France and Germany, without whose collaboration no peace in Europe is possible. I still hope that in these next months we may see progress to the goal which we all desire,”