POST RESIGNED

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 81, 3 October 1938, Page 9

POST RESIGNED

BRITISH MINISTER

MR. A. DUFF-COOPER

FOREIGN POLICY DISTRUSTED

LONDON, October 1. Mr. A. Duff-Cooper has resigned from the post of First Lord of ihe Admiralty. In a letter to Mr. Chamberlain he said:— "It is extremely painful to me in the moment of your great triumph to be obliged to strike a discordant note for reasons with which you are acquainted and which I propose to explain in the House of Commons. "I profoundly distrust the foreign policy which the Government is pursuing and seems likely to pursue. Feeling as I do, I consider that honour and loyalty demand that I should offer my resignation. "I do so with profound regret, because I have been so proud to hold my j

present office, the one I envied beyond j all others in the State, and have been so grateful to you for placing such confidence in me and for having shown me such invariable kindness and patience." Mr. Chamberlain replied: "I have I received your letter with great per-i sonal regret, but, knowing that you are sincerely convinced that the Government's present policy is mistaken, I agree it would be improper for you to remain in the Government. I should like to thank you for your work in the great office you are surrendering, and to express the conviction that differ- j ences over public policy will not make; any breach in our personal relations." j The Press Association understands that Mr. Duff-Cooper's resignation is not likely to be followed by those of other Ministers. It is expected that a statement will be made in the House of Commons on October 3. Mr. W. S. Morrison* Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Walter Elliot, Minister of Health, and Mr. Oliver Stanley, President of the Board of Trade, are mentioned by the Sunday Press as j possibly not wholeheartedly supporting Mr. Chamberlain's foreign policy. While a section of opinion hints that Mr. Chamberlain may seek an early election after the Opposition has declared its views on his foreign policy,! Government organs do not mention j this, although canvassing the possibility of the introduction of some form of national service. It is prob-1 able that a further strengthening of the Four-Power Pact in a more concrete form will be necessary before an election.