FRONT AGAINST AGGRESSION

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22673, 30 March 1939, Page 11

FRONT AGAINST AGGRESSION

British Attitude J

Stiffening

GUARANTEES MAY

BE GIVEN

Consultations Still

In Progress

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPTBIGHI.) J

(independent cable see vice.)

(Received March 29, 8.30 p.m.)

LONDON; March 28.

It is learned from a high diplomatic source that the attitude of the British Government is stiffening against aggression. It is understood that Russia has intimated that she is prepared to enter into an automatic anti-aggres-sion pact, applicable either to Eastern or Western Europe and to give formal guarantees and commitments.

It is believed that Britain is also favourably considering giving Poland the necessary guarantees. A British Official Wireless message says Mr Chamberlain assured the House of Commons this afternoon that Britain was actively continuing her consultations with other governments on the issues arising from recent events. The Prime Minister said it was essential, during the progress of such consultations, that their confidential character should be respected, and he requested members not to press him for a further statement till he was in a position to make a complete one, which could only be when Britain was in possession of the final views of the other Governments concerned.

Mr Chamberlain was urged, however, by Mr Arthur Greenwood, Dr. Hugh Dalton, and others, to say more;

The Prime Minister invoked the objection to placing all his cards on the table till his hand was played out. At the same time, in his supplementary answers, he expressed ah understanding of the desire for a closer definition of Britain’s position, and said that it would readily be understood from what he had previously said, that what the Government had in mind went a good deal further than consultation- - He added that he did not thinK he would like to give more details at the moment.

Mr Chamberlain also gave an assurance that Britain had, in the consultations now in progress, made it perfectly clear to the other Governments, what Britain was prepared to do in certain circumstances. Finally he promised a debate at the earliest opportunity. Motion in House of Lords

In the House of Lords, Lord Davies tabled a motion which welcomed the assurances that the Government was considering the desirability of assuming wider mutual obligations to prevent further aggression, and urged the establishment of a financial, economic, and military commission by co-operating with other nations to prepare measures for mutual defence and measures for the restoration of Czechoslovakian freedom and independence. The motion also urged the Government to consider the establishment of machinery for the impartial settlement of inter-State disputes. The Earl of Plymouth, replying for the Government, said it was clear that the restoration of Czechoslovakia could be effected only by, force of arms. Neither Britain nor the other Powers with whom she was consulting harboured any such design; Referring to the proposal to establish machinery for the settlement of inter-State disputes. Lord Plymouth said powerful States had even discarded friendly negotiations for the settlement of disputes. They had resorted to direct or indirect force. Surely it was not remotely possible that they would refer their grievances to impartial adjudication. Britain was convinced that no question could not be settled peacefully, if goodwill existed, but she was not prepared to negotiate under the threat of force and did not see any object in establishing machinery for the settlement of disputes while the world lay under the menace of forcible action.