ABANDONING SANCTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1936, Page 7

ABANDONING SANCTIONS

BRITISH GOVT.’S DECISION CABINET UNANIMITY [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON. June 16.

The “Morning Post’s” political correspondent. says: Mr Eden, in a speech in the uouse of Commons, on June IS, will announce the Government's decision to propose the raising of Sanctions as against Italy. The speech will follow closely on the lines of Mr Neville Chamberlain’s speech on June 11 last. He will point out that the Sanctions failed either to prevent or to end the Abyssinian war, or to preserve the independence of Abyssinia; and that, in view of this, there is no logical or practical justification for maintaining them. The correspondent adds: “There have been no Cabinet differences regarding this. The only hesitancy has been as to whether Britain • should take the lead at Geneva in the matter. or should leave the, initiative to the League Assemoly. The “Daily Telegraph’s" Rome correspondent says: Semi-official circles here are now declaring that the lifting of the Sanctions will not be enough to allow Italy again to collaborate in European affairs, and are suggesting that a more positive gesture is needed, namely, the simultaneous reversal of the League’s verdict as to aggression by Italy.

MUSSOLINI’S OFFER. (Recd. June 17, S a.m.) LONDON, June 16. The “Sun-Herald” says: A section of the Press continues to suggest grave Cabinet differences in connection with the forthcoming Sanctions decision, and that Mr Eden’s resignation is imminent. Such rumours, however, are without foundation, are primarily designed to force Mr Eden from the Cabinet and are unlikely to succeed. When Mr Eden announces the abandonment of Sanctions on June 18, he will outline Mussolini’s memorandum, which says that apart from accepting a.ny diminuation in the Italian Sovereignty of Abyssinia, the Italians are readv to meet Britain’s desires in every possible way. Assurances are given henceforth that Italy belongs to the “territorially-satisfied” Powers. The Duce pledges himself not to raise a Black army in Abyssinia, declaring he has no further African territorial ambitions. The Duce is also ready to conclude a Mediterranean pact with Britain and France, accompanied by a limitation of naval armaments, and to include Greece and Turkey, if they desire. Italy is further ready to support Britain’s viewpoint for the re-, form of the League Covenant.

The Italians intimate that in the event of Britain rejecting collaboration, she will turn to Germany. CONSULTING OVERSEAS. (Reed. June 17, noon.) LONDON. June 16. Evening newspapers give prominence to the announcement that Mr. Lyons sent, a cablegram to Mr. Bijuee in which he is reported to have intimated that Australia is anxious to see Sanctions ended, in view of the loss of the Italian market. The “Sun-Herald” says: Britain’s attitude towards Sanctions was outlined by Mr. Eden this afternoon at a conference with the Dominion’s High Commissioners, each of whom submitted his own Dominion’s viewpoint. Mr. Bruce presented the Commonwealth’s case, the newspaper’s announcement of which caused a flutter, especially among foreign correspondents, who suspect that London inspired the Commonwealth to initiate the abandonment of Sanctions to enable the British Government to present a strong case to the Commons on Thursday, and simultaneously save face on the Continent. Actually all the Dominions, except South Africa, favoured the dropping of Sanctions. Mr. Eden frankly explained the British reasons for the reversal of the policy, emphasising that the failure of the League action caused splits and fissures throughout Europe, and that a continuation of Sanctions would make the position worse.

' TO-MORROW'S DEBATE. RUGBY, June 16. Thursday’s 4 debate in the Commons in tho Government’s foreign policy, with special reference to the question of Sanctions, will open with a speech by Mr. Eden. Mr. Stanley Baldwin will speak towards the close of the debate. The Opposition leaders will take part in the debate and it is understood that Mr. Lloyd George will also speak. FRENCH POLICY. (Received June 17, noon.) PARIS, June 16. The Deputies, representing all parties, tabled a draft resolution inviting the Government to abolish. Sanctions and induce League members to follow tho decision. TRADE WITH ITALY. - GENEVA, June 16. The League Secretariat states that eighteen countries applying Sanctions, had total imports from Italy during April to the value of only 424,000 gold dollars, compared with 6,777,000 . in April, 1935. Their exports to Italy were 2.453,000 compared with 8,807,000.

PEACE CONGRESS MESSAGES. [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, June 15. A message from the King to the International Peace Congress, at Cardiff, attended by delegates from nearly every part of the world, and organiised in connection with the Peace Society, a 120 years' old foundation, was read al the opening session today. His Majesty hoped that the Congress would help to promote the cause of international peace "which was so dear to his late Majesty, King George V.. and > which His Majesty has no less sincerely at heart.’” The Lord President of the Council, Mr Ramsay. MacDonald, who spoke, delivered a message from the Foreign Secretary, in which Mr Eden said that international peace could be assured only by making the common desire of individuals to live at peace part

of the. national consciousness of every 'country. LABOUR PEER AND MINISTER. LONDON, June 16. “If 1 were Prime Minister, I would have Duff-Cooper arrested, as a deliberate dangerous, disgraceful scaremonger,” declared Lord Ponsonby, amid applause and shouts of “That’s the stuff to give him,” during an. address to the Peace Meeting. Lord Ponsonby added that Mr DuffCooper was not the only person talking in this way, but owing to his responsible position, he ought to be ashamed to talk like a half-wit, whose only place is a criminal asylum. “Nobody with the slightest knowledge, would deny that the situation in Europe is far worse than in 1914,” said Mr Duff-Cooper (Secretary for War) at a trade luncheon. “Yet we are joking and laughing, refusing to face the facts, allowing people to preach it is wicked to defend women and children from gas attacks. We are told we are frightening the people. I think it the duty of those in authority to frighten the people.” DARDANELLES CONFERENCE LONDON. June 16. The “Sun-Herald” says that Mr. Bruce has been offered, and will probably accept the Presidency of the Dardanelles Conference, commencing at Montreux on June 22, RUGBY. June 16. Earl Stanhope will head the British delegation to the Montreux Conference. The delegation will include representatives of the Army, Navy, and the Air Force, as well as Foreign Office experts.