DICTATORS WARNED

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 9

DICTATORS WARNED

BRITAIN'S NEW POLICY

REPLY TO DEBATE

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 13. The debate in the House of Commons on Britain's new policy towards aggressor nations was adjourned till next Tuesday.

Dr. Hugh Dalton (Labour) said that it would be better to suspend the operation of the Anglo-Italian agreement if it was not to be denounced. He suggested that Britain should call a conference of the Montreaux Powers. Labour desired a military alliance between Britain, France, and Russia. Russia was a great Pacific Power in the same way as Britain, and in lesser degree France. New Zealand, Australia, and Canada all touched the Pacific. It would be common sense for Britain, Russia, and France to act in , concert for common action in the Pacific. Replying for the Government, Sir John Simon, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said he trusted that the House would realise that the suggestion that Russia was not being consulted was not justified.

Dr. Dalton at this point interrupted to ask if the Government at any time had proposed a definite military alliance between France, the Soviet, and Britain. NEV. FORMIDABLE COMMITMENTS. Sir John Simon replied that it was difficult to state certain things in a public debate, but he would meet the point in another way. There was no objection in principle, to such a proposition. Britain's traditional policy had been to commit herself by precise assurance of military and naval aid in certain definite cases only.

Regarding Europe generally, particularly those parts furthest from Britain, Britain's policy had been that she should not undertake precise commitments but would act as the case warranted. "There is no fact more striking," said Sir John, "than that it has been possible to transform this policy by adding a series of -lost formidable commitments with the approval of the people."

It would be well, he added, if the heads of totalitarian States considered the change. It was not a change in the nature of the British people, nor a sudden loss of British historical senses, but was a change in Europe. REAL DIFFICULTIES REGARDING RUSSIA. Replying to the debate in the House I of Lords, the Foreign Secretary, Lord j Halifax, took up two points. He said that the assurances received from Italy regarding the withdrawal of Italian forces from Spain covered the case of aeroplanes in the Balearic Islands. |

.He also said that he fully recognised the importance of what had been said in the course of the deabte on the subject of Russia. There were real difficulties—difficulties not of British making—which they had to meet in this connection, but it would not be Britain's fault if they were not overcome.

During this anxious week he had done His best to keep M. Maisky, the Soviet Ambassador, closely informed regarding all aspects of the situation as it was seen from London. Certainly nothing was further from the thought of the Government than that it should put illofical difficulties "in the way of realising its determination to bring together all nations which might be found on the side of respect for international law.