POLITICAL TENSSON

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 144, 14 December 1935, Page 12

POLITICAL TENSSON

BALDWIN PERPLEXED

MINISTER'S RESIGNATION DEMANDED

STORM OF PRESS COMMENT

United Press Association—By Electric TeleEraph—Copyright. , (Received December 14, 2 p.m.) LONDON, December 13. The publication of the text of the Franco-British proposals has caused a renewed outburst of opposition. The "News-Chronicle" declares that political tension in London and Paris is increasing rapidly owing to the flood of indignation all over the world "due to the Hoare-Laval plan to encourage aggression," and adds that a demand for Sir Samuel Hoare's resignation is growing hourly. It is learned that Sir Samuel suffered a slight accident, having broken his nose on December 11. He slipped while skating, and is now wearing a surgical dressing on his nose. Meanwhile revolt is spreading in the Government ranks and constituents are bombarding their representatives with protests. The Government Whips approached the Opposition appealing to them to avoid a division. The Prime Minister, embarrassed and perplexed, withdrew to Chequers to mediate with M. Laval, and also in the difficulties of a Radical revolt threatening the Government. PROCEDURE IN COMMONS. The Parliamentary correspondent of "The Times" says that the Labour Parliamentary Party will meet on December 16 to discuss whether in the debate on December 9 they shall move a vote of censure, which they would do in normal procedure but feel that such a proceeding would rally the Conservatives. Accordingly, they may bring, forward a less contentious motion on which members in parts of the House will be able to speak more freely. The anxiety of back-benchers is revealed by a number of notices of motion which are appearing on the Order Paper. Although they are unlikely to be discussed they reflect the thoughts of privata members. On the other hand, two groups of Unionists have tabled motions in support of the Government's handling of the situation in the interests of peace for Britain, Europe, and the world. PROPOSALS ALREADY DEAD. "The Times" correspondent at Geneva says • that the proposals are already regarded as dead. The Ethiopian Note apparently leaves the Council no alternative but politely to jettison the plan. "The Times" Paris correspondent says that the proposals, combined with British opinion, have shaken, if not shattered, hopes of agreement. Even Frenchmen who regretted the outcome of the Hoare-Laval meeting are asking themselves how an agreement was endorsed by the British Cabinet within five days which is not worth the paper on which it is written. "The Times" Rome correspondent states that Ihe proposals are partially disappointing as they do not give Italy all she might attain by victory, including the linking up of Eritrea and Somaliland. If Signor Mussolini rejects them and continues the campaign the decision will be received cheerfully. "A DISHONEST MANOEUVRE." The "Daily Herald" says that the Government's pretence that the newspaper versions were inaccurate is revealed as a dishonest manoeuvre, and adds that the attempt to use the League as cover for a gigantic landgrabbing operation is described in political circles as repulsive hypocrisy. The "Daily Mail," in an editorial defending Mr. Baldwin from "attacks by frantic sanctionists," refers to his declaration on December 10 that his lips were sealed, and urges that the best course is to hold a secret session of the House of Commons enabling the full truth to be revealed, including risks due to the lamentable policy of disarmament. ' The "Daily Telegraph," in a leader, says: "It is only fair to suspend judgment until Mr. Baldwin is able to speak out. If the truth is that the Government has discovered that Italy is ■determined upon war in the event of oil sanctions and other members of the League refusing to support Britain, leaving her to bear the brunt of the conflict, the country should be informed of it, as collective sanctions have broken down." The newspapers regard Haile Selassie's astute move throwing the onus of rejection on the League as a master stroke. ABYSSINIA DISMEMBERED. The "News-Chronicle," in a leader pointing out that the official details propose to give the' aggressor even more Abyssinian territory than was reported, declares that the text completely justified the universal outcry which the mere rumour of the contents aroused, and adds that a chartered company to administer a huge slice of Abyssinia is the merest camouflage. Indeed, the plan dismembers Abyssinia, involving her complete surrender to Signor Mussolini. The article adds: "The only adequate motive so far suggested for Britain's volte face is fear, but Britain always knew the.strength and disposition of the Italian armaments. M. Laval cannot have whispered in Sir Samuel Hoare's horrified ear any secret unknown to the Admiralty experts. If Mr. Baldwin considered the danger too great it was criminal folly to persist in the policy for several months." The "Daily Herald," in a leader entitled "Murder Will Out," declaring that Britain proposed to reward Signor Mussolini with annexations, recalls a famous American journalist saying to Mr. Woodrow Wilson on a similar issue, "Mr. President, remember you cannot rape a little." AS YOU WERE. The "Daily Telegraph's" Geneva correspondent seems to be certain tonight that neither Abyssinia nor the League Council will accept the terms, thus reverting to the situation before the peace plan was: raised. Accordingly the Council is expected to proceed to a vote on oil sanctions. Representatives of the smaller countries condemn the acceptance of such a misinterpretation of the Covenant as • a dangerous precedent. Both the Balkan and Little Entente countries, Poland, and Spain, are strongly resentful. Moreover, it is emphasised that if Abyssinia rejects the terms they cannot be carried through. Commentators touch on Italian opinion in Rome, and express the opinion that Signor Mussolini intends to temporise, gaining time and postponing oil sanctions in the hope that Marshal Badoglio will achieve a. victory which will strengthen

the Duce's position, but everything will be done to obtain an Italian reply before December 18., If it is not received it will be regarded as tantamount to a refusal, presumably necessitating oil sanctions. ■ DANGER OF EUROPEAN WAR. The "Daily Mail's" Geneva correspondent says that a high authority was questioned as to why Britain altered j her attitude to Italy during the Paris negotiations, and replied, "The realisation that oil sanctions would start a European -war." He adds that the danger was dispelled owing to the suspension of the activities of the sane-, tions committee. The "Daily Mail's" Rome correspondent says that the proposals have created a good effect in Italy as being more liberal than was anticipated, yet they are not entirely approved, as it is felt that the whole of Northern Tigre should be ceded to Italy, enabling the Takkaze River to form the EritreanAbyssinian frontier as an easily defended line; also that the cession of Assab should be accompanied by provisions to prevent excessive imports, of arms. Italy also desires guarantees that Abyssinia will observe agreements and abolish slavery. FRENCH REACTIONS. The Paris correspondent of "The Times" says that the Socialists and Radicals lengthily discussed the proposals, revealing irreconcilable divisions, but in order to avoid an open split decided not to table a resolution condemning the plan but advocating an early just peace not violating the Covenant. M. Cot (Radical), a former Air Minister, speaking in the Chamber of Deputies, outspokenly criticised the proposals. The Abyssinian war, he said, was not a colonial expedition but a crime against international morality. He was amazed and shamed at seeing France propose such a settlement. Communists and Socialists voiced similar criticism, M. Peri (Communist) declaring that if the proposals were accepted it would be a recognition of might against right and might well be used by Herr Hitler.