BRITISH ATTITUDE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 63, 17 March 1925, Page 6

BRITISH ATTITUDE

TO PROTOCOL AND PACTS

CHAMBERLAIN OUTVOTED

SECRET HISTORY ACCORDING TO "MATIN."

(UNITED' PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPIRIOHT.)

(STDNEI SUN CABLI.)

(Received 17th March, 1.30 p.m.)

PARIS, 16th March. The "Matin" learns authentically from London that Mr. Chamberlain's Protocol speech was in obedience to a rigid Cabinet mandate, and further reveals serious Cabinet . divergencies. When it was decided to oppose the Protocol, Mr. Chamberlain proposed a renewal of the Anglo-French Entente. Marquess Curzon, on the 4th March, organised a majority of the Cabinet to oppose the Entente. Mr. Chamberlain was within an ace of resigning, but later agreed implacably to condemn the Protocol instead of making the kindly statement he had previously intended. Mr. Chamberlain, en route for Geneva, conversed with.'M. Herriot on the German proposals in accordance with a strict Cabinet mandate.

The "Matin" alleges that Lord d'Abernon, British Ambassador at Berlin, without "informing the Foreign Offive previously, privately warned Germany, hinting that it was an opportune moment for submitting German proposals. The Ambassador at Paris, Dr. Stahmer, immediately submitted proposals. Mr. Chamberlain, rejecting the suggestions of secrecy, promptly informed Fiance, and from Geneva sent a message to Lord d'Abernon, instructing him to compel Germany to adhere to her original proposals, sternly adding that his retention in the Ambasadorship depended on his success.