BRITAIN’S NEW POLICY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22336, 25 February 1938, Page 13

BRITAIN’S NEW POLICY

Germans Doubtful Of Result TURNING POINT REACHED? Diplomats Active In Europe (rXITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received February 24, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, February 23. The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says the political barometer was high this morning after Mr Neville Chamberlain’s victory in the House of Commons, but was distinctly lower in the evening. There is uncertainty in political circles about whether the Cabinet crisis really indicates a turning point ii British policy, because though Mr Chamberlain won his case for an attempt to reach an understanding with Powers outside the collective system, his own declarations and the temper of his supporters may leave him too little freedom to succeed in his attempt. The Australian Associated Press states that with the announcement of Britain’s new foreign policy,, pent up diplomatic activity in Europe has been loosed. The British Cabinet’s session today dealt with the forthcoming talks with II Duce. Poland’s Foreign Minister (Colonel Joseph Beck) is at present holding important conversations with Field-Marshal Goering at Warsaw, and Herr von Ribbentrop (German Foreign Minister) is expected in Rome next week, when the nonintervention committee also resumes. The French are expected to confer with the, British in the near future, and the British and German talks which Herr Hitler and Lord Halifax began will resume before the end of the Rome conversations.

i LABOUR CHALLENGE TO GOVERNMENT

CHANGED FOREIGN POLICY “BETRAYAL OF CONFIDENCE OF DEMOCRATIC NATIONS” LONDON, February 23. A manifesto issued after the meeting of the National Council of Labour —representing the executives of the Labour Party, the Parliamentary Labour Party, and the General Council of the Trades Union Congress—called to consider the resignation of Mr R. A. Eden, challenges the Government to submit to the electorate the change which is alleged to have been made in the Government’s foreign policy. The manifesto states; — “Mr Chamberlain and the majority of Cabinet have disregarded the pledges upon which the _ National Government gained the nation’s confidence at the last General Election. They have brought the League Covenant into derision. “They have abandoned the principles which hitherto inspired the British people in their international relations. The Government has decided to enter upon negotiations with Italy on conditions which involve a betrayal of the friendship and confidence of democratic nations. The Government refuses to make a stand in defence of international law. The Government’s policy imperils the security of the country and the Commonwealth. “The British Labour movement reaffirms its uncompromising opposition to any agreement with either Fascist Italy or Nazi Germany on the basis indicated by Mr Chamberlain in his statement to Parliament.

APPROACH TO ITALY DEFENDED INEVITABILITY OF WAR NOT . ACCEPTED BY BRITAIN (BBlTisa OFFICIAL WIBZLISS.) RUGBY, February 23. Sir Samuel Hoare, Home Secretary, speaking at the ' National Chamber of Trade luncheon in London, said that for months Europe had seemed to be irrevocably splitting itself into two hostile camps. Both were arming with feverish activity. In both alike there were very dangerous rumours of an inevitable clash. Members of the British Government were not prepared to accept the inevitability of war. They did not believe that a catastrophe must come and they were determined to make a sustained effort to drive the haunting fear 'f war out of the hearts of men and women in Europe. They might fail in their attempt, but he asked the country to believe in their integrity. This, said Sir Samuel Hoare, was no cowardly shady negotiation upon which they had embarked. It was an honest attempt to face the causes of difference and remove them with honour and justice to both sides. Nor was it in any sense a sacrifice of old friends. If they wished make new friends there could be uo question of abandoning the old ones.