BRITAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY

Evening Star, Issue 22890, 23 February 1938, Page 11

BRITAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY

MR EDEN’S RESIGNATION UHHIR ATTACK ON GOVERNMENT CENSIM MOTION IN COMMONS (British Official Wireless.) Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, February 21. .In'his speech in the House of Commons, Mr Attlee ?aid he thought the' ■week-end events would, have -grave repercussions in Europe, .the United (State?, and; the dominions, and he believed 'still greater repercussions at horn*. They were faced' with the' entire] vnegation of the policy which the Government had .pressed. In place of a. -constructive peace'policy there was . a fatal 'playing at power politics—the playing: pff of, ;one dictator against another. It was ,a kind of policy which Jed inevitably, to war. Mr Chamber-lain’s-speech'revealed that two Foreign Offices have been operating. “ I sympathise with Mr Eden, who suffered from ■ apparently extremely amateur methods. Mr Eden has now been thrown to the wolves in an affair unparalleled in-English history. It is curious that when foreigners are con-, tinually attacking-the Foreign Minister his colleagues have not supported him. ' Signor'Mussolini is a bankrupt dictator living on tick,' with, increasing homo difficulties. The Spanish, war has not beett successful and 'Abyssinia is unsettled. Moreover, - the Rome-Berlin Axis '-is - - uneasy. Herr Hitler jumped into Austria. - It-is just at this juncture that Mr Chamberlain goes whining, c?p n in Hnd. asking for an agree-. Spent ■without condition. T am amazed at this surrender'of the greatest, world Pow'pr to the weakest dictator and recognition of aggression, which will damage' British prestige everywhere, including, Palestine and Arabia, and seriously affect the. United States and produce grave repercussions in the dominions and Britain, where thousands hoped for a peace policy.” Mr 1 h. S. 'Amery said he' considered (the effori;-towards better-relations between England - and ‘ Italy was wise and just, and he strongly supported the; Government’s policy; " ' , Othfcr back-bench Conservatives spoke iu : the same sense. ' Mr, ■ Hijtpld Nicholson, a . National (Labour supporter, of the Government, and;Major, Hills, .a; Conservative, considered Mr Eden had, been, right, and .expressed contra at ,the ; .Cabinet d©r,-. ij.Vf cisiony>.r)f>i,‘i . .ifit v<y 1

: / Labour speakers attacked the - Go- . yefament. for a. betrayal of'.principle. • ■ Sir Dudley do Chair (Con.) believed "Mr EdAn’s - resignation would- create a different and better ; .atmosphere in ' Eurbpe.' ' - Mr; G. ie, Mander (Lib.) said the . joy,ill, certaih foreign countries at the lelignatiba was ’ .a > most' humiliating ' thrfig" fbf ' Britain. ? The Government had lost its greatest' political asset. Messrs J, ,F. Emery and Captain A.’ Evans, Conservatives, criticised Lord' Halifax’s , mission to Berlin as hurried,' ill thought out, and an unprepared effort which had weakened the country’s position in Europe. Sir; Archibald , Sinclair (Liberal) said that Mr Eden, . who, was regarded by all British schools of thought as the champion of democracy, law, and peace, had been hampered by his colleagues when a' wrong t u m might - be fatal-. LABOUR CENSURE MOTION. Labour members tabled the following vote.of censure This House deplores the circumstances in which Mr Eden ' was obliged to resign, and has no confidence, In the Government,” which Mr Arthiir Greenwood will'move oaFebru- ■ ary 22.Mr D. ‘ R. Grenfell, winding ’ up the . debate for. Labour, declared that the most; jarring note ,was the intense de- • light that the. situation gave to Signor Mussolini, (who .was viqtorious by Fascist 1 tactics, ’ •' ■ ■ , Mr Chamberlaip, in reply, said Mr Grpnfell’s speech misrepresented the at-, titude of the Government, which was only proposing conversations to Italy. , “ Moreover, if there is an agreement it will not be on the terms the other epuptry,- might impose, but it must be acceptable to us and at least include things I have named. We want a settlement in Spain by Spanish nationals! free from foreign interference.” -. The-debate was adjourned. The Simonito Liberals, after a meeting, unanimously supported Mr Chamberlain. TRIBUTES TO MR EDEN I _ BRITISH PRESS COMMENT V LONDON, February 22. The,* NewjFCbronicle,’ in an editorial, declares : “ Mr Eden was right, as there is nothing to show-that Signor Mussolini'will not again deceive panicky Britain to secure his own terms.” The'' 1 Daily Mail ’ applauds Mr Chamberlain’s' decision as the turning point in British foreign policy, involving a

break from League theories, which was inevitable in order to maintain peace.

The ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ believes that the debate will dissipate misunderstanding in Britain and misrepresentation abroad. “ The Opposition’s exultation is enough to make Mr Eden reflect that acquiescence might be more serviceable to the causes he cares for than refusal.”

. ‘ The Times,’ in a leader, says: “ The immediate occasion of Mr Eden’s break with Mr Chamberlain is tragically unreal, and increases the regret at Mr Eden’s depafture,. but there is no doubt regarding the Premier’s right to take a real share in defining the major objectives of foreign policy, the success of which is crucial for maintenance of general peace. It is clear that the Italian invitation did not contain a threat. Mr Chamberlain is entitled to the view which most people share that an opportunity will come to explore the possibilities of a settlement without incurring reproach. He is more timid of war than anxious about peace.” ‘ The Times ’ pays a tribute to Mr Eden and Viscount Cranborne, and adds; .“ Many believe that the Premiership is not ultimately beyond Mr Eden’s grasp. They, will be the last to regard the present. break in his career as a catastrophe.” The Associated Press says the most important factor in the House of Commons debate was Mr Charalierlain’s-de-claration of Britain’? new foreign policy. This emerged as a direct approach to a European-settlement by .- - • (1) Talks between England and Italy; , (2) talks . between England and Germany ; (3) a four-Power pact. ' POLICY OF SCUTTLE " MR GREENWOOD PUTS LABOUR CASE LONDON, February 22. (Received February 23, at 10.30 a.m.) Moving the Labour censure motion Mr Greenwood said the- League of Nations and collective security had apparently been abandoned and the Government was' scuttling to the backdoor ,ofi a dictatorship State to make a ' deal' behind the backs of friendly countries. The new policy was a policy of scuttle. The Premier ought to say frankly that no loan would be granted to Italy, the only effect of which would be the intensification of militarism. Mr Greenwood demanded, a General' Election. It was the duty of Parliament,- he said, to meet the people when there was a reversal of Government policy. He said the fate of the world rested in the trembling - hands of the Prime Minister. Mr Chamberlain stood for blind faith! His methods would lead to anarchy which must lead to war.. Liberty qould not be kept by base subservience to the ruthless will of dictatorships, The Premier’s statement had- shocked the moral conscience of the world. ' . *; MR LLOVb GEORGE. Mr Lloyd George said that Mr Chamberlain was dealing with some of the most astute brains'in Europe. They had broken- every possible promise made to Britain, but Mr Chamberlain said: “At last 1 have got a formula -for them.” Mr Lloyd George added that a man so (doveiikq was, not fit to deal .with Machiavellian dictators. ■ He was only fit for a stained glass' window. MR CHAMBERLAIN’S REPLY. Mr Chamberlain, rising to reply, was cheered for two minutes. Mr Eden then entered the House. Mr Chamberlain said he desired to be fair to Mr Eden. He had no recollection of Mr Eden ever saying to him that the question of international good faith constituted an embargo on conversations either with Germany or Italy. The suggestion that Britain enter conversations provided that certain, things were done first was humbug. (Ministerial cheers.) It had been, said that entering into conversations was a humiliation. There had been talk of sacrifices to the dictators and that he was ' going whining to Signor Mussolini. “ Such gibes and. taunts leave me absolutely unmoved,” said Mr Chamberlain. Those who gibed did not realise the greatness of, this country, which was strong and the' head and centre of a great Empire, to which millions looked for leadership. Labour members who frequently interrupted here with loud shouting were called to order by the Speaker. Mr Chamberlain continued; “ It is for a strong country to do what a weak country cannot afford to do—namely, show magnanimity.” Mr Chamberlain said Mr Eden, on January 25, told the French Ministers that the British Government was contemplating conversations, and discussed the subjects for them. The French Government insisted that the .discussions should include a settlement of the Spanish question. He had told the Italians that it would be included. He repudiated the suggestion that the Government had gone behind the backs of its friends. “ If these conversations,” he said, “ result as we desire there will not merely be an improvement in Anglo-Italian relations but a general appeasement all round in the Mediterranean, in which the French are particularly interested. We cannot possibly achieve success unless the French are with us from the beginning.” Discussing the League, Mr Chamberlain said; “As at present constituted it is incapable ot affording collective security. If we remain in the League it is because if we left it it might be reconstituted, and there is important work to bo done.” He would not change a single word of the Covenant. If the League threw off shams and pretences, he declared, what it was prepared to do it could do, and its moral force would be multiplied immediately. Returning to the question “ should we have talks with those who differed cr whose standards wo have not approved?” Mr Chamberlain said refusal had not brought peace. “ Month by month we have seemed to be getting nearer to war. 3 hero may come a time when someone occupying the

Premiership will have to face again the awful responsibility of answering the question, ‘ Will you plunge your country into war? ’ Does not an equally heavy responsibility rest upon the man who feels as I do that if we take no action we may presently be faced with that frightful question, but who. feels that by taking action we may avert it? I should not bo fulfilling my duty if I failed to take such action as I have done.” (Cheers.) MR EDEN DELIVERS SEAL OF OFFICE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 22. (Received February 23, at noon.) Mr Eden, having visited the Foreign Office to take leave of the officials, went to Buckingham Palace to deliver his seal of office on his resignation. He was received by the King in audience, which lasted about 45 minutes. ' FAR-REACHING CHANGES PREDICTED CABINET RECONSTRUCTION CERTAIN LONDON, February 22. (Received February 23, at 8 a.m.) The political correspondent of the Associated Press says future and great far-reaching changes, not only in Britain’s foreign policy, but in internal politics; will bo . the sequel of Mr Chamberlain’s emergence over Mr Eden. Cabinet reconstruction is certain in the near future to involve the retirement of at least two members of Cabinet, which,, i because of ■ the week-end events, would have been a most embarrassing moment to announce. Mr * Duff-Cooper and Mr Oliver Stanley, l whose handling of their respective offices is increasingly disappointing, may go, but Mr Chamberlain, apart from the difficulty of discovering additional members of Cabinet, has the greatest problem in- ap-' pointing Mr Eden’s successor. Not a single person oh the front bench can command. Parliament’s or the country’s confidence as Foreign Secretary, consequently he will not hesitate. presently to direct the Foreign. Office himself, assisted by . Viscount Halifax, who, however he may be fitted for the portfolio, is unacceptable because he sits in the Upper House. . < , NEGOTIATIONS WITH ITALY MR CHURCHILL'S CRITICISM LONDON, February 22. (Received February 23, at 10 a.m.) In .the House of Commons debate '.Mr , \Vihaton (Churchill ;said it : would seem to many an inopportune time .for negotiations with Italy. The dictator Powers were striding from strength to strength, and parliamentary democracies were retreating, abashed and confused. The internal condition of Italy was, causing Signor Mussolini anxiety, and it was ■ easy to understand why Signor Grandi had been instructed to encourage talks with Britain. It was much less easy to understand why they should hurry so eagerly to the rescue. Here was a case where they ought to allow time to play its part. “ I believe,” • be - said, “ that Mr Eden acted 1 absolutely rightly. , We shall be asked in the Italian conversations to ■ give a lot and there is little we can receive in 1 return except concessions by Italy of the long unprovoked action in which she has indulged against us.” Mr Churchill referred to the effect of “British humiliation” on the United States, adding: “When we have to make a stand on some issue, pray God we will then not find that through unwise policy we have to stand alone.” DISCUSSION CONTINUED ** MR CHAMBERLAIN PLAYING FOR HIGH ) STAKES " (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 22. (Received February 23, at noon.) All over the world, Mr Churchill declared, the friends of England were dismayed and the foes of England exalted. He went on to' express serious misgivings at' the tendency of recent British policy towards Germany and Italy, as exemplified in Lord Halifax’s mission, and lamented what he regarded as lost opportunities to assert the authority of law and right Against might. These courses, be feared, confused friends and dissipated reserves of moral strength. Mr Boothby (Conservative) described Mr Chamberlain as playing for high stakes, and urged' the need of faith in his success. Mr Lloyd George referred to millions of people in all parties and without party association who looked to Mr Eden for guidance and inspiration. BRITISH AMBASSADOR IN ROME TO SEE MR CHAMBERLAIN ROME, February 22. (Received February 23, at 11 a.m.) The British Ambassador (Lord Perth) is going to London on February 23 to see Mr Chamberlain. CENSURE MOTION DEFEATED LONDON, February 22. (Received February 23, at 12.45 p.m.) The Labour censure motion was defeated by 330 votes to 168*

MR LLOYD GEORGE CAUSES SCENE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST PRIME MINISTER LONDON, February 22. (Deceived February 23, at 2 p.m.) Mr Lloyd George aroused the stormiest scene in the debate by declaring that Signor Grandi’s message of February 20 was not produced at the afternoon’s Cabinet meeting. Mr Chamberlain explained that Signor Grandi officially communicated the contents of the message early on Sunday. “ 1 communicated them to the Cabinet,” he said. Mr Eden declared that he did not receive it before his resignation. “Mr Chamberlain told mo he had received the intimation,” he said. “ but did not disclose the source.” Mr Eden added that, in any event, it would not have altered the position. Mr Lloyd George said it was incredible that an important document had not reached' the Minister. Mr Chamberlain explained that he did not see the document until Signor Gra\idi presented it on February 21. Ministerialists demanded Mr Lloyd George to withdraw the implication against the Prime Minister, but Mr Lloyd George refused. Mr Chamberlain, confronting Mr Lloyd George, demanded: What, is your implication?” ; Mr Lloyd George: “ That with such issues Involved the Prime Minister took no trouble to secure the document. Signor Grandi did not trouble to deliver it because he wanted to be rid of Mr Eden.” REPERCUSSIONS IN FRANCE RESIGNATION OF GOVERNMENT RUMOURED LONDON, February 22. (Received February 23, at 11.30 a.m.) It is- known that when Mr Eden’s, resignation was regarded as likely M. Delbos informally indicated to Mr Chamberlain that such a happening would perturb France; consequently it is not surprising that messages from France speculate on the possibility of M, Delbos following suit. The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Paris correspondent says an important ministerial conference will be held today, the chief business being to examine whether in the circumstances it is inopportune for the Government to resign to pave the way for a Cabinet unifying the nation. A communique issued after the council of Ministers makes no mention of the proposal of the Government to resign in favour of a national Government. Exceptional credits were voted for national defence. The amount was not disclosed. FRANCE'S ATTITUDE PARIS, February 22. (Received February 23, at 1.50 p.m.) M.' Delbos, answering questions, said that while he supported Mr Eden’s policy he considered the coroperation of Britain and France essential to France. If Britain opened negotiations with Italy France vvould decide her course of action in the light of Signor Mussolini’s. undertakings. France remained hostile, to recognition of the Italian conquest of Abyssinia without , the League’s consent. LEAGUE W NATIONS UNION . LONDON, February 22. (Received February 23, at 11.10 a.m.) The executive of the League of Nations Union passed a resolution of dismay at the loss of Mr Eden in circumstances creating the impression that it was due to foreign hostility to the League. LABOUR CONFERENCE CALLED . LONDON, February 22. (Received February 23, at 11.30 a.m.) The National Council of Labour has called a conference of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress and the executive of the Labour Party to discuss the political situation. The council has issued a statement that it views the events leading to Mr Eden’s resignation with the utmost gravity. BRITISH CREDITS FOR ITALY LONDON, February 22. (Received February 23, at 11.30 a.m.) The ‘ Star’s ’ political correspondent says the’Board of Trade lias prepared an agreement whereby Italy will be granted substantial British credits, beginning with an advance of £0, 000,000, this to take the form of a guarantee backed by the Exports Credits Guarantee Department indemnifying British exporters against loss. SIR AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN'S WIDOW IN ITALY VISIT PURELY PRIVATE. ROME, February 22. (Received February 23, at 11 a.m.) Lady Chamberlain, wife of the late Sir Austen Chamberlain, denies the suggestion in a section of the English Press that she is a sort of unofficial ambassadress in Italy. Her visit is' private. She added; “Signor Mussolini is an old friend of mine and of Sir Austen, ar.d ho frequently visited us both. We knew Count Ciano long before lie became Foreign Secretary.” (There had been a suggestion that her reports influenced her brother-in-law. Neville, and that she was conveying

Signor Mussolini’s desire for restoration of friendship to England.) No anti-British matter has been broadcast from Bari radio station for the past two or three days. MR MORRISON'S QUESTIONNAIRE LONDON, February 22. (Received February 23, at 2 p.m.) In the House of Commons, Mr Herbert Morrison, winding up the Labourits contribution, said that if any unofficial third party was intervening between the representatives of Britain and a foreign Power the House of Commons had a right to know whether this was the first occasion such a thing had occurred, whether this unofficial person was located in London or in Rome, and whether the person vyas a nian or a woman..