BRITISH POLICY STILL INDEFINITE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22355, 19 March 1938, Page 17

BRITISH POLICY STILL INDEFINITE

Danger of Split Among Supporters Of Government

■XjPinrl-' UNIFICATION OF GERMANY AND AUSTRIA

Polish Troops Ready to March

On Lithuania

Repeated questions in the House of Commons for a definite statement on British foreign policy, particularly towards Czechoslovakia, brought no assurance from the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) beyond a statement that Great Britain was giving the closest attention to the issues involved. The political writer of the “Daily Mail” asserts that the British Government will not intervene because of pressure from the Dominions.

The possibility of a division among Government supporters and the formation of a new party grouping under Mr Winston Churchill and Mr Lloyd George is suggested by the tone of criticism of the Government. It is claimed that the Ministers are disunited about the next step, and that many of Mr Chamberlain’s supporters are becoming increasingly impatient with the Government’s “nerveless grasp of the situation.”

The Soviet Government has made preliminary inquiries about calling a conference to discuss methods of checking aggressors.

Several decrees to hasten the unification of Germany and Austria have been issued from Berlin. They provide for the taking over of the Austrian National Bank and the Austrian railways. An assurance has been given that British passports and British property rights in Austria will be respected. Drastic measures are being taken against Jews in Austria, .who are now barred from work in any profession.

The Polish Government, in a Note to, Lithuania, demands the restoration of diplomatic relations, the recognition of Vilna as Polish territory, and the resumption of normal traffic between the two countries. Polish troops are ready to march on Kovno, the Lithuanian capital, if the ultimatum is rejected or there is no satisfactory reply. The Lithuanian army is expected to offer little resistance.

FIRMER ACTION WANTED

Foreign Policy Decision

British Government A In Danger

TO QUESTIONS

SUPPORTERS NOT SATISFIED

(junsß official wtbelsss.)

(Received March 18, 8 p.m.)

RUGBY, March 17,

(trrmn rsisi aisociattok— coptmsht.)

(Received March 18, 1.10 p.m.)

LONDON, March 17,

In connexion with the visit' of Mr Winston Churchill . and Mr Lloyd George to Paris, where Sir Walter Citrine is attending the Congress of the International-Labour Federation, it is strongly .stated in the lobbies that Mr Winston Churchill warned the Government that unless it took a firm line regarding Spain, accompanied by guarantees to Czechoslovakia, he would cross the floor of the House, in which action it is believed he would be followed by 50 Government supporters. He would then try to form an alternative Leftist Government. 'The “News-Chronicle” states that a canvass of Conservative opinion in the lobbies revealed that many of Mr Chamberlain’s supporters are becoming increasingly impatient With the Government’s nerveless Srasp of the situation. It can be frankly stated that the Ministers are disunited on the next step. The "Daily Telegraph” slates that Mr Winston Churchill and Mr Lloyd George see in operation the beginnings of a united front, as is evidenced by the new unity of Labour and Liberals in criticising the Government’s foreign policy. The first definite move towards the formation of a united front in an attempt to overthrow the Government on its foreign policy occurred last night, as a sequel to a declaration by Mr Herbert Morrison at a Labour Party meeting that Labour cannot rule out tne new grouping of political parties.” The rnove seeks to unite Labour and the Liberals, and also left wing Conservatives.

y. Mr Chamberlain’s Position The Australian Associated Press states that Mr Chamberlain’s position to-night was governed by four Main factors:— (1) The intensification of the differences within Cabinet. (2> The weakness of the present French Government in conjunction With the division of French public pinion concerning Spain. (3) The urgency of reconvincing Cabinet to evolve a declaration of foreign policy. , ' (4) Equal urgency in producing a Government declaration in face of the uneasiness and uncertainties throughout Parliament and the country. _ Mr Chamberlain clearly confronts “lost serious Cabinet differences. Much depends on the Cabinet’s next ■fleeting. It is gathered that the differences Which Mr Chamberlain is striving to overcome occurred on the issue V, "r 13 * Great Britain should make a declaration of her readiness to take ■ definite stand against dictators. -Jtis feared that even if Mr Cham•*nain reunites the existing , administration, public opinion, in its • mtsent mood,'would force the Gov'M.

Uncertainty in France

NO MORE TO SAY

MR CHAMBERLAIN REPLIES

■ln answer to a question in the House of Commons the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) said that no reply was required by France to its notification to Great Britain of its determination to adhere resolutely to its treaty obligations to Czechoslovakia. He had already stated that Great Britain was giving the closest attention to the issues involved.

In another answer Mr Chamberlain said that he had no intention of adding anything in the immediate future to what was said by the Se.cretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Lord Halifax) yesterday, and to what he said himself on Monday, about the Government’s decision upon foreign policy through the consideration of the new situation which had arisen since March 11. Later, when Mr Chamberlain announced the business of the House for next week, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr C. R. Attlee) said that he would have to ask for time for a discussion on foreign affairs next ■week, unless. Mr Chamberlain in the meantime made some statement of policy. Asked in the House of Commons whether, in view of the statement published in the officially controlled German press that Lord Halifax during his recent visit to Berlin was informed of Herr Hitler’s intention to annex Austria, he would not state what were the subjects discussed by Herr Hitler and Lord Halifax, Mr Chamberlain replied: “I arri not prepared to add anything to the statements which have already been made on the subject of Lord Halifax’s visit. As for the press reports referred to, I invite the attention of the House to the statement made by Lord Halifax in the House of Lords yesterday, which shows that these are inaccurate.”

eminent into the dangerous short view policy of facing up to the dictators immediately.

One of Mr Chamberlain’s greatest difficulties is the uncertainty of France’s political situation. It is understood that a sharp division of public opinion exists in France in connexion with intervention in Spain. Many people, including the French General Staff, oppose intervention. Consequently, the present administration’s desire to intervene in no way represents a united France. , Mr Lloyd George has left for Paris and Mr Churchill will follow at the week-end. Speculation is aroused whether they will confer with the French Government.

Mr Lloyd George, before departing, declared that the British Empire and France had been manoeuvred into the worst strategic position ever. He described the British policy as a “stubborn muddle,” adding, “I have never seen such a mess in foreign affairs since I have been in political life.”