BRITAIN'S WARNING

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 137, 13 June 1939, Page 9

BRITAIN'S WARNING

POLICY MADE PLAIN

NO CHANGE MADE

SPEECH BY FOREIGN SECRETARY

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received June 13, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, June 12.

At the close of the foreign affairs debate in the House of Lords, the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, said that his speech on Thursday had been the subject of numerous conflicting interpretations, as was inevitable. One party had stressed one part and another party had stressed another, but it should be taken as a whole. He thought it was clea^ and it would be unprofitable for him to be drawn into explanations or elaborations which would in turn be subjected to the same process of interpretation.

Regarding Danzig, Lord Halifax said he could not do better than emphasise Mr. Chamberlain's recent words: "Our assurances to Poland are clear and precise. Although we should be glad to see the differences between Germany and Poland amicably settled by discussion, if an attempt were made to change the situation by force in such a way as to threaten Polish independence, that would inevitably start a conflagration in which., this country would be involved." BIGHTS IN CHINA. Turning to the Far East, Lord Halifax said it had been the Government's duty' at home and at Geneva to consider what course of action was encumbent and practicable. Britain had been a party to the passing of resolutions which had gone as far as v/as practicable at the present time. As to the treatment of British interests by the Japanese, he could assure the House that the Government had not been indifferent. The excuse the Japanese made was that these steps were necessary in military interests, but the Government was not able to accept those excuses regarding rights which had been acquired for British nationals under solemn treaties. AU these matters had been made the subject of representations, and the Government would continue to make a full effort to secure the rights .. of British subjects to live and trade peacefully in China.

Referring to the case of LieutenantColonel Spear, Lord Halifax said that in the absence of more information he could not speak fully on the matter. Lieutenant-Colonel Spear's journey in China was entirely devoid ,of any ulterior purpose. Whatever suspicion the Japanese could have, they should not have detained Lieutenant-Colonel Spear once his identity had been established. Britain had merely been told that Lieutenant-Colonel Spear was being treated well at present, and the Foreign Secretary said his had \ no reason to believe that the matter would not be settled satisfactorily. MUST FACE REALITIES. Speaking on the debate generally. Lord Halifax said it had been suggested that there had been some changes of British foreign policy. He wished to say that there was no change. His speech on Thursday was practically a frank attempt to get people at home and abroad to face the realities-of the situation. ■,

There were two things in British policy which he wanted to make plain, In the first place, while making . no threats and while concealing no ulterior designs, Britain wanted to make it quite clear to the world that if force were used those who used it must count upon force being met by force. In the second place, Britain wished to keep it clear that if there was no attempt nor intention to resort to force, then the whole influence of Britain, which was not negligible, would rightly be thrown on the side of reaching a fair settlement by negotiation.

"I should be well content," Lord Halifax concluded, "if I thought this debate had had the effect of focusing the attention of all -whom it might reach upon tlie incalculable advantage of exchanging the threatening, dangerous, and sinister methods of arbitrary force for efforts at negotiations and a peaceful settlement."