OPPOSITION CRITICS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 127, 23 February 1938, Page 11

OPPOSITION CRITICS

“Mr. Eden Thrown To The Wolves” SURRENDER TO DUCE Serious Repercussions Expected By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received February 22, 7 p.m.) London, February 22. Speaking in the House of Commons, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. C. K. Attlee, said that Mr. Chamberlain’s speech revealed that two Foreign Offices had been operating. “I sympathise with Mr. Eden who lias suffered from apparently extremely amateur methods,” lie said. “Mr. Eden is now thrown to the wolves in an affair unparalleled in English history. It is curious when foreigners have been continually attacking the Foreign Minister that his colleagues have not supported him.”

Mr. Attlee added that Signor Mussolini was a bankrupt dictator living on “tick,” with increasing home difficulties. The Spanish war was not successful, and Abyssinia was unsettled. Moreover, the Rome-Berlin axis was uneasy. Hitler had jumped into Austria. “It is just at this juncture that Mr. Chamberlain goes whining, cap in hand, asking fqr an agreement without a condition,” he said. “I am amazed at this surrender of the greatest world Power to the weakest dictator and the recognition of aggression which will damage British prestige everywhere, including Palestine and Arabia, will seriously affect the United States, and produce grave repercussions in the Dominions and Britain, where thousands hoped for a peace policy.” Government Condemned. Mr. Attlee said that public opinion would equally condemn ■ the Government now as when Sir Samuel Hoare resigned the Foreign Secretaryship. The new Foreign Minister must be a member of the House of Commons, as the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs would be unable satisfactorily to reply to questions. He added that Mr. Eden’s retirement was being acclaimed as another great victory for Signor Mussolini. “An agreement resulting from the Prime Minister’s methods, which are lacking in principle,” said Mr. Attlee, “will make Signor Mussolini master of the Mediterranean, which would be sheer madness from a strategic viewpoint. It would involve the end of the League of Nations and will be regarded throughout Europe as an abject surrender to dictators.” The Liberal leader, Sir Archibald Sinclair, said that Mr. Eden’s resignation would' cause rejoicing among enemies of Britain and discourage her friends. The dictators would exult, and free peoples would be filled with foreboding. Vote of Censure Tabled.

Mr. Eden, who was regarded by all British schools of thought as the champion of democracy, law and peace, had been hampered by his colleagues when a wrong turn might be fatal. Labour members tabled the following vote of censure: “The House deplores the circumstances in which Mr. Eden has been obliged to resign, and has no confidence in the Government.” Mr. Arthur Greenwood will move the vote of censure on February 22. Mr. D. R. Grenfell, winding up the debate for Labour, declared that the most jarring note was the intense delight the situation gave Signor Mussolini, who was victorious by Fascist tactics. I Mr. Chamberlain, in reply, said that Mr. Grenfell’s speecji misrepresented the attitude of the Government, which was only proposing conversations to Italy. "Moreover, if there is an agreement, it will not be on the terms the other country may impose, but must be acceptable to us, and at least include the things I named. We want a settlement in Spain by making Spanish nationals free from foreign interference,” he said. The debate was adjourned. The Simonite Liberals, after a meeting, unanimously supported Mr. Chamberlain. WAR DANGER SEEN

Playing Off One Dictator Against Another (British Official Wireless.) (Received February 22, 7 p.m.) * Rugby, February 21. In the House of Commons the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. C. R. Attlee, said he thought the week-end’s events would have grave repercussions in Europe, the United States and the Dominions, and he believed still greater repercussions at Home. They were faced with the entire negation of the policy which the Government had professed. In place of a constructive peace policy, there was a fatal playing at power jn politics—the playing off of one dictator against another. It was the kind of policy which led inevitably to war.

Lt.-Col. L. C. Amery (Conservative) said he considered the effort for better relations between England and Italy was wise and just, and he strongly supported the Government’s policy. Other back-bench Conservatives spoke in the same sense. Mr. Harold Nicholson (National Labour), a supporter of the Government, and Major J. W. Hills (Conservative) said they considered that Mr. Eden had been right, and expressed concern at the Cabinet decision. Labour speakers attacked the Government for betrayal of principle. Mr. S. S. de Chair (Conservative) said he believed that Mr. Eden’s resignation would create a different and better atmosphere in Europe. Mr. G. Mander (Liberal) said the joy in certain foreign countries, at the resignation was a most humiliating thing for Britain. The Government, had lost their greatest political asset. Mr. J. F. Emery and Captain A. Evans (Conservatives) criticised Lord Halifax’s mission to Berlin as a hurried, ill thought out and unprepared effort, which had weakened the country’s position in Europe.