VITAL DISCUSSIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 118, 20 May 1937, Page 9

VITAL DISCUSSIONS

INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK

DANGERS TO EUROPE

FOREIGN SECRETARY'S SURVEY

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received May 20, 11.45 a.m.) • LONDON, May 19. The most vital discussions of the imperial Conference began this afterloon, when the Foreign Secretary, lot attempting to gloss over any phase jf the international situation, surveyed on behalf of the British Govirnment the grave dangers threatenng Europe from Germany and Italy. The political representative of the Australian Associated .Press agency mderstands that Mr. Eden, confining lis survey entirely to Europe, did lot hesitate to reveal the inner facts )f the situation in Italy and Germany, md presented a case which is expected to have a profound effect on the Conference defence discussions, A'hich commence next week.. The Prime Minister, who followed, briefy amplified Mr. Eden's remarks and liscussion was then adjourned to enible the Dominions representatives :o consider the situation before the resumption of sittings on Friday, ivhen they will express their views hi the European situation. Mr. Eden ivill then resume his survey, dealing with the Far East and America. MENACE IN MEDITERRANEAN.' It is gathered that a feature of toiay's survey was the seriousness of :he situation in the Mediterranean, Vlr. Eden's views on which cpnsideribly impressed the delegates. Many people in London feel :hat Italy is an even greater menace :o the Empire than Germany, that iignor Mussolini thinks Britain primarily is building up armaments in readiness to again assume mastery ti the Mediterranean, arid that ac;ordingly he is preparing enormous irmed forces. Britain's attitude to Europe, with which Mr. Eden dealt is (1) adherEnce to the League, (2) commitments in Western Europe; (the integrity of France, Belgium, and Holland), (3) interest in, but unpledged to Central Europe.; The British attitude cannot be indifferent to Central Europe, but is to refrain from all commitments, at the same time keeping Herr Hitler guessing. The general ! European tension remains such that an incident anywhere on the Continent, regardless of whether or not Britain is committed, might easily implicate Britain and the rest of Europe.