AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 36, 6 November 1933, Page 8

AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT

Captain Eden’s speech on the European situation derives considerable importance from the fact that it contains a clear and explicit reference to British foreign policy and its future inclination. According to the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs its keynote is the Treaty of Locarno, and its principle, co-operation in Europe. “A policy of isolation to-day,” declares Captain Eden, “is a policy of folly. With the development of air power ’England has ceased to be an island.”

So much for our past “splendid isolation.” Apparently there can be no going back to it for, as the speaker pointed out, there is no provision in the Treaty of Locarno under which any of the parties can withdraw from it. Since Britain put’her name to it, in 1925, however, the Statute of Westminster has defined the status and independence of her overseas Dominions as sovereign nations in legal terminology. r The violation of Belgium’s territorial rights brought Britain into the Great War in 1914. A similar act would bring the British people face to face with a parallel situation and a definite obligation. That is a heavy commitment. Later events have , tended to cloud the memory of it, but Captain Eden’s reminder may have the effect of reviving the controversy which broke out in the Empire countries at the time.

At the Imperial Conference of 1926 “complete approval” was expressed of the manner in which the Locarno negotiations had been conducted, and the British Government was congratulated on its share in “this successful contribution to the promotion of the peace of the world.” . It was felt, however, that the exemption which Article 9 of the Treaty purported to give them from its. obligations—the contract-ing-in clause—placed the Dominions in a somewhat invidious position. It is now recognised that the British Empire, as such, no longer makes treaties, its treaty-making power being held in commission between seven different countries, each speaking for itself. In the final analysis, nevertheless, any question gravely affecting the defence and security of the Empire as a whole would resolve itself into a moral one.

Mr. Coates no doubt had that aspect of the question in mind when he declared in 1925 that New Zealand wou]d deem it a privilege to stand by Britain’s side in this matter. More, however, may be heard about the Locarno commitment, when the Empire countries have had time to digest Captain Eden’s reminder.