A BACKGROUND TO THE NEWS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 92, 12 January 1939, Page 7

A BACKGROUND TO THE NEWS

Mr. Eden And Mr. Chamberlain

Asked for his opinion why Mr. Anthony Eden and Mr. Neville Chamberlain had separated, Mr. B. O. Schonegevel, London, replied in an interviewin Wellington, that in principle there was no difference between them, the only difference being in procedure. Mr. Anthony Eden resigned on February 20, 1938, because he disagreed with* Mr. Neville Chainlierlaiti over the methods of effecting better relationships between <4rent ■Britain and those countries in which dictatorial governments are in power. The specific point of difference was the appropriateness of the then present moment for commencing Anglo-Italian negotiations. Mr. Chamberlain thought the time was suitable; Mr. Eden could not concur. Personal statements were made by both in the House.of Commons on February 21.

“It is my conviction, that the attitude of the Italian Government to international problems in general, and to Britain in particular, is not yet such as to justify this course,” said Mr. Edeu. “Propaganda against this country by the Italian Government is rife throughout the world. I am pledged not to open conversations with Italy till this hostile propaganda ceases.” He urged Italy’s withdrawal of troops and other assistance from Spain as an essential prerequisite to the opening of negotiations. He wanted from Italy not assurances but deeds. Assurances had been given before by Italy, but, in fits opinion, were of no real value.

Mr. Eden then went on to say: “It is essential that the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary should have a similar outlook and pursue similar methods. Of late the conviction has grown upon me that there has been too keen a desire on our part to make terms with others rather than that others should make terms with us. This never was the attitude of our country in the past. It should not, in the interests of peace, be our attitude today.” Mr. Chamberlain’s View “On a former occasion,” said Mr Chamberlain, “I described British policy as being based on three principles. First, on the protection of British interests and the lives of British nationals; secondly, on the maintenance of peace and so far as we can impose it the settlement of differences by peaceful means and not by force; thirdly, the promotion of friendly relations with other nations who are willing to reciprocate our friendly feelings and who will keep those rules of international conduct without which there can be neither security nor stability. ... “I cannot believe that with a little goodwill it is not possible to remove genuine grievances and to clear away suspicions which may be entirely unfounded. For these reasons my colleagues and I have been anxious to find some opportunity of entering upon conversations with the two European countries with which we have been at variance—namely, Germany and Italy—in order that we might find out whether there was any common ground on which we might build up a general scheme of appeasement in Europe. ... “I have never been more completely convinced of the rightness of any course that I have had to take than I am today. What we are seeking to. do is to get a general appeasement throughout Europe. The peace of Europe must depend upon the attitude of the four major Powers— Germany, Italy, France, and ourselves.” Making For Peace Fascist circles in Home claim that if Mr. Chamberlain refuses to mediate between Italy and France, concerning Italian demands, it is very likely that Signor Mussolini will urge a FourPower meeting similar to Munich to discuss revisionist claims. “Britain,” said Mr. Neville Chamberlain in 1938; “is linked to France bycommon ideals of democracy, liberty and Parliamentary government. ... On the other side we find Italy and Germane also linked by affinities of outlook and in the forms of their government. “The question that we have to Uitm of is this: Are we to allow these two pairs of nations to go on glowering at one another across the frontier, allowing the feeling between the twosides to become more and more embittered, until at last the two barriers are broken down and the conflict begins which many think would mark the end of civilization? Or can we bring them to an understanding of one another and to such discussion as may lead to their final settlement? If we can do that, if we can bring these four nations into friendly discussion, into a settling of their differences, we shall have saved the peace of Europe for a generation.”

U.S.A. And Munitions Export The United States Munitions Board has announced that since July 1, the United States of America had not permitted the sale to Japan of aeroplanes and aerial ammunition under the restriction- forbidding export to those countries which bomb civilian populations.

Without formally proclaiming that a state of war existed between China and Japan, President Roosevelt put into operation in September, 1931, important restrictions on the export of war material to both countries, as provided by the Neutrality Act.

Merchant vessels owned by the United States Government are not permitted to.transport to China and Japan any of the arms, ammunition,.and implements of war. The section of the Neutrality Act which authorizes the President to proclaim such measures as these provides that “whenever the President finds that placing restrictions on the export of articles and materials to belligerent States, or one wherein civil war exists, is necessary to preserve the country's peace or protect its citizens or commerce, he. shall'so proclaim." Postal Congress

The Now Zealand Government has decided to send the Chief Postmaster in 'Wellington, Mr. John Madden, as Now Zealand delegate to the eleventh Universal Postal Congress, which will open in Buenos Aires on April 1, next. The internationalizing of postal arrangements dates from .the Treaty of Berne (1874)-, ami the formation of iin International Postal Union. The union is intended to assimilate as far as possible, the diverse postal customs and regulations of the different countries of the world. Most States and colonies are members. Its affairs are controlled by conventions which periodically revise its regulations.

The principal benefits effected by the union are the guarantee of rights of transit throughout the countries of the union, the payment of compensation for loss in course of transit, and smne measure of uniformity in rates of charge. > ' .