SANCTIONS TO END?

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 June 1936, Page 2

SANCTIONS TO END?

MR. CHAMBERLAIN’S ADVICE

TASK BEYOND LEAGUE

[by CABLE —PBESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.]

LONDON, June 11

The policy of continuing the Sanction against Italy was condemned by the Chancellor, of the Exchequer, Mr Neville Chamberlain, while speaking at a political dinner. He- declared: “It would only lead to further misfortunes.” Referring to Lord Robert Cecils claim that it still would be possible to preserve Abyssinia’s independence bv pursuing the Sanctions, Mr Chamberlain said: “That seems to me the very midsummer of madness! It is no use in shutting our eyes to realities. The Sanctions have been tried and they have failed. I am not blaming anyone for their failure. I merely record it now, because, if we have retained any vestige of commonsense, we must admit that we have tried to impose upon the League of Nations a task that is beyond its powers. The nations composing 1 the League must, therefore, decide so ns to limit the League’s functions in future that they may be in accord with its real powers. If that policy were courageously carried through, I believe that it might go far to restore the league's prestige. It is now apparent that the policy of Sanctions involves, if not war, at least the risk of war; and that risk must increase in proportion to the effectiveness of the Sanctions. It is also apparent that, in the presence of such a risk, nations cannot, be relied on to proceed to the extremity of war unless there are vital interests threatened.” Mr Chamberlain suggested the exploration of the possibility of localising the world’s danger spots with a view to a more practical method of ensuring peace, by means of regional arrangements to be approved by the League.

The newspapers give prominence to Mr Chamberlain’s ‘‘Encl the Sanctions” speech. They ask whether he is speaking for himself, or for the Cabinet. His speech was delivered at the 1900 Club’s dinner, at which Mr Chamberlain was a guest of honour. Four hundred Conservatives attended and Lord Londonderry presided. Mr Chamberlain, referring to the prestige of the League, and the possibility of restoring it, said: “It must be admitted that the League is so limited that it could not longer be relied upon, by itself, to secure peace for the world.” Relieving that Sanctions should be abandoned, the Duchess of Atholl has resigned from the League of Nations Union.

QUESTIONS IN COMMONS

MR. BALDWIN’S REPLY

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS]

RUGBY, June 11

The Chancellor of the Exchequer was reported in to-day’s papers as having severely” criticised, in a speech at a political dinner in London, suggestions that the League Sanctions, imposed in connection with the Italian resort to war in East Africa, should be continued, following the collapse of the Ethiopian resistance, -or even intensified.

These reports were the subject of a question addressed by private notice to the Prime Minister; in the Commons, this afternoon, by the leader of the Opposition. Mr. Atlee asked whether Mr. Chamberlain’s'speech represented the policy of the Government.

Mr. Baldwin replied that the Chancellor had informed him that the suggestions he put forward were definitely stated by him to be provisional reflections in the Italo-Ethiopian dispute which had occurred to him personally. Mr. Atlee then asked if the views expressed by the Chancellor were the considered views of the Government. The Prime Minister answered that no conclusions on these matters had yet been reached. Pressed by the leaders of both sections of the Opposition to say if the expression of private views by a Minister was consistent, with tradition and constitutional usage, and was not embarrassing to other Ministers, Mr. Baldwin replied: “1 make no complaint myself of what the right hon. gentleman said.”

BADOGLIO RESIGNS

(Received June 12, 11.30 a.m.) ROME, June 11

Marshal Badoglio has been relieved of the Viceroyship of- Abyssinia, at his own request. Marshal Graziani will succeed him. Mussolini has created Badaglio Duke of Addis Ababa.

ITALIAN PRESS CLAIM

(Received June 12, 2 p.m.) ROME, June 11

Ottavio Di Peppo will succeed Alois! as Envoy of the Foreign Ministry. Count Ciano may replace Baron Aloisi at Geneva, if Italy retains her membership of the League. Italian newspapers are giving prominence to Mr Chamberlain’s speech,] declaring it is the most severe blow' yet struck by a British politician against the maintenance of Sanctions.

ABYSSINIAN CLAIM

LONDON, June 11

“Abyssinia is still unconquered. The war goes on.” said M. Herrouy, Foreign Minister for Abyssinia, on his arrival in London, where he resumes his post as adviser to the Emperor. “The I Government still rules from Gore, in the west, where there are 10,000 wellarmed warriors. Ras Desta, in the south, has 15,000 men, and scattered troops from Ogaden are reforming. Rains have immobilised the Italians, whose aeroplanes are helpless, owing to low clouds, and the roads are useless. They are prisoners in their own garrisons. The Abyssinian armies will resume resistance in October, when the rains are over. It will be mountain warfare. A third of the country is still intact.” SELASSIE AND LEAGUE LONDON, June 11. Selassie attefided his first public lunch in England, when he was the guest of the League of Nations Union. Professoi’ Gilbert Murray toasted his health.

Selassie replied that there was current an ,unfortunate tendency to consider thd League in its present form incapable bf continued existence, or

further action in the present war. He added: The Abyssinians in. Wallo, Chercher and other occupied provinces were rising against their oppressors, while in the west one-third of Ethopia was still under the Government of its lawful authorities. This was not the moment for abandonment of- confidence in the League.

Selassie is going to Vevey on June 17. He will occupy his own chalet there.