The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1938. THE BRITISH CABINET.

Evening Star, Issue 22890, 23 February 1938, Page 10

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1938. THE BRITISH CABINET.

It is doubtful if Mr Eden’s decision to resign his post as Foreign Secretary will serve the cause of peace or the best interests of his country. His idealism and patriotism are not called into question, but many people will be con■vfinced that his judgment has been at fault. The difference between himself and Mr Chamberlain was more of method to attain a certain end- than of principle, and. it should not have been difficult for Mr Eden to adjust his views to those of,his chief, with whom, of course, the final decision in matters such as this must rest. Cabinet solidarity at a time of uncertainty like the present is essential. Characteristically, Mr Attlee, who caustically criticised Mr Eden when he was in office for his attitude to the Spanish problem and to non-intervention, now sympathises with him, and regards his retirement as’ a great victory for Mussolini. The Leader of the Liberals, who also. has been free with : adverse comments on Britain's Spanish policy, declares that Mr Edeji’s Resignation would bo • the subject of rejoicing among the enemies of Britain, and would discourage her friends. • This, if meant to be a defence of his action, misses the mark. Rather, it creates a feeling of regret that the Foreign Secretary should have broken with the Prime Minister on what after all is a secondary issue. Mr Chamberlain’s foreign policy ,is based on three principles which comprise the protection of (British lives and interests, the maintenance of peace, and the promotion of friendly relations with other countries who are willing to reciprocate. Consequently, if Germany and Italy proffer their friendship he would meet them halfway, and taking France into a conference, try to establish a fourPower Pact..

A sceptic’s answer to this would be to declare that judging by past experiences, pacts are merely “ scraps of paper.” Still, nothing would be lost by such an effort. Much might be gained, and anything is better than the atmosphere of suspicion and recrimination now existing in international relations. It is appropriate in this connection to draw attention to the remarkable success that has attended the Anglo-German Naval Agreement, which has been in operation for more than two years. The arrangement has been working with smoothness and confidence on both sides, arid at the moment Germany is actually below rather than above its permitted quota' of building. Mr Chamberlain took a broad view in his statement, making allowance for the mistaken feeling among the Italian people that Britain was engaged in devising sinister plots against their country. The Prime Minister emphasised that his Government was a loyal member of the League of Nations, but he realises that, with Germany, Italy, Japan, and America outside its membership, it is no longei an effective body so far as its major object is concerned, and that to achieve anything worth while some of the negotiations would have to be conducted away from Geneva. Mr Eden has still a passionate belief in the League, and regards its doors as the only real avenue through which peace can be obtained and maintained. There is a strong aversion among British people to dictatorships, whether of tho Right or the Left, but each country is entitled to manage its domestic affairs in the way it thinks best, and these should not be brought into International relationships. The point to remember is that what Mr Chamberlain is seeking is general appeasement throughout Europe. Italy offers to begin friendly negotiations, which would have that end in view. To refuse tho offer, on the ground that its acceptance would have the appearance of weakness, would he a mistake. Mr Chamberlain has a great' objective ahead of him, and he has the right to explore every avenue in attempting to reach it. He is not likely to be diverted from his course by party opposition, or the criticisms of individuals of political prominence. The events in London during the next few weeks will be followed with the greatest anxiety. There are suggestions of important Cabinet rearrangements. A suggestion ' that seems probable is that Mr Chamberlain will take the portfolio of foreign affairs with the assistance of Lord Halifax. The latter’s appointment as Foreign Secretary seems to be ruled out by the fact that he is a member of the House of Lords. That was no bar in the past, but ■ conditions have greatly altered since Lord Curzon’s day.