CAPTAIN EDEN'S SPEECH

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 22, 26 July 1933, Page 9

CAPTAIN EDEN'S SPEECH

Captain Anthony Eden's speech in tho House' of CommonsNvas made earlier in tho month during a discussion on the Foreign Office vote. ;Sir Austen Chamberlain strongly urged the ■Government to reconsider its policy in regard to air bombing for police purposes in outlying areas. He agreed that in certain areas and under certain conditions tho aeroplane as a fighting weapon was tho most humane instrument that could bo employed, becausoof the speed with which it enabled the spread of the trouble to be prevented. But the question arose now in relation to tho general disarmament question, and, despite the extent of Britain's obligations in maintaining peace on tho borders of civilisation, ho did not sec how she could ask other nations to agree to except her from the rules applying to them. Captain Eden, replying to tho discussion, said that the question of bombing in outlying districts was one of the problems which would have to be dealt with when they came to the second reading of the draft convention. The policy of police bombing, ho said, had been thoroughly examined for a considerable time, and he was himself absolutely convinced that the conference appreciated the immense strength of the case in respect of this reservation. He was equally convinced that for tho British Government not to have put this matter forward and explained its difficulties would have been a dereliction of its responsibilities in certain parts of the world.

The International cable news appearing In this Issue Is published by arranuement with the Australian Press Association and tho "Sun," "Herald," News Office, Limited.