NO PLAN TO DROP MR EDEN

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22335, 24 February 1938, Page 9

NO PLAN TO DROP MR EDEN

SUGGESTIONS DENIED o BY GOVERNMENT LABOUR CENSURE MOTION DEFEATED MR WINSTON CHURCHILL JOINS IN ATTACKS (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received February 23, 8.55 p.m.) LONDON, February 23. Replying for the Government to Labour accusations in the House of Commons, Mr W. S. Morrison (Minister for Agriculture) said that all the suggestions that Cabinet Ministers yvere trying to get rid of Mr Eden were absolutely false. Cabinet, including the Prime Minister, had made strenuous efforts to assist Mr Eden and to retain his great services. Mr Morrison denied that there was a surrender to the dictators. “There-is a time,” he said, “when democratic countries must stand up for what they think right, not only against dictators but against spasms of excitement in democracies after momentous events.” The Labour motion of censure was defeated by 330 votes to 168. The motion was moved by Mr Arthur Greenwood (Labour) as follows; “That the House deplores the circumstances in which Mr Eden was obliged to resign, and has no confidence in the Government.” Mr Winston Churchill, Mr Eden, and Mr Harold Nicolson were among 20 Conservatives who abstained from voting. Mr. Greenwood said that the League of Nations and collective' security had apparently been abandoned and that the British Government was scuttling to the backdoor of a dictatorship state to make a deal behind the backs of friendly countries. The new policy was a policy of scuttle. The Prime Minister ought to say frankly that no loan would be granted to Italy, the only effect of which would be an intensification of militarism. Election Demanded

Mr Greenwood demanded a general election. It was the duty of Parliament to meet the people when there was a reversal of the Government policy. The fate of the world rested in the trembling hands of the Prime Minister, he said. Mr Chamberlainstood for blind faith. His method would lead to anarchy, which must lead to war. Liberty could not be kept by base subservience to the ruthless will of dictatorships. The Prime Minister’s statement had shocked the moral conscience of the world.

“I believe that Mr Eden acted absolutely rightly,” declared Mr Winston Churchill. “We shall be asked in the Italian conversa-

tions to give a lot, and there is little that we can receive in return except concessions by Italy in respect of long and unprovoked action in which she has indulged against us.” Mr Churchill referred to the effect of “British humiliation” on the United States, adding: “When we have to make a stand on some issue I pray to God we will then not find that, through an unwise policy, we have to stand alone.” “High Status” All over the world, Mr Churchill declared, the friends of England were dismayed and the foes of England were exultant. He went on to express serious misgivings at the tendency of recent British policy towards Germany and Italy, as exemplified in Lord Halifax s mission, and he lamented what he regarded as lo'st opportunities to assert the authority of law and right against might. These courses, he feared, had confused friends and dissipated the reserves of moral strength. Mr R. J. Boothby .(Conservative) said Mr Chamberlain was playing for high stakes, and he urged the need of faith in his success. Mr Lloyd George referred to the millions of people in all parties and without party association, who had looked to Mr Eden for guidance and inspiration. Mr Chamberlain was dealing with some of the most astute brains in Europe. They had broken every possible promise made to Britain, but Mr Chamberlain said; “At least I got a formula from them.” Mr Lloyd George added that a man so dovelike was not fit to deal with Machiavellian dictators. He was only fit for a stained glass window.

COMMENT ON LEAGUE BY MR CHAMBERLAIN BERLIN PRESS INTERESTED (Received February 23, 11.35 p.m.) BERLIN, February 23. The newspapers give great prominence to Mr Chamberlain’s statements on the League of Nations.