SANCTIONS ABANDONMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 June 1936, Page 7

SANCTIONS ABANDONMENT

BRITISH PRESS OPINIONS

A MIXED RECEPTION

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON. June 19

“Even Government supporters are criticising the handling of the Sanctions debate, and especially the failure effectively to answer Mr. Lloyd George's strictures.” says “The Times’ ” political correspondent. “It is felt that Mr. Lloyd George obtained a valuable start, which it will be difficult to overtake.” The “Daily Mail's" political correspondent says: Mr Lloyd George's speech was one of the most devastating of his career. There was consternation when he described the Ministers as “cowards." Many Conservatives were astounded that Mr. Baldwin only feebly replied to this charge. The Government Whips have been instructed to ensure a 100 per cent. Government vote against the Labour motion. There is no.question-of a Government defeat.' Nevertheless. Ministers clearly have been disturbed by the reception of thO Sanctions decision.

“The Times." in a leading article, says: “Public opinion will endorse, while reluctantly accepting Mr. Eden's view; but; it will demand energetic and competent leadership to maintain peace. It. will want, to know what positive aims are to guide British policy, which policy will, henceforward, determine the League's position. Its concrete objective can be obtained only through negotiation with Germany, by means of a conference." The “Daily Mail.” after referring to the strange spectacle of Mr. Eden revising his whole policy, and this with apparent, satisfaction, asks: What will the world think of the British Government? Will it not aSk whether there is any sincerity left among our public men? The League will disappear in odium and in oboquy. Nobody will he one farthing the worse off.”

The “News-Chronicle’’ says it believes that the League members will now look elsewhere for leadership. It adds: “It is a crime and a disaster that the Ministers, by their cowardice, should have irreparably weakened Britain’s authority.” The “Daily Herald” says: Worse than the surrender to Signor Mussolini will come, unless the Ministers realise that the country does not share their desire to betray the League, and dishonour Britain’s name.” “The “Daily Telegraph” pays tribute to Mr. Eden’s courage and his resilience in seeking to win a larger hope for the future, and states: “Neither pressure on Italy, nor war, can restore Abyssinia.” The “Manchester Guardian" says: Mr. Anthony Eden has fulfilled every mournful expectation. Ho has failed his better self, and he has realised it. Mr. Lloyd George's speech stripped the Government naked. Mr. Baldwin’s reply might have been called insolent in anyone else.

LABOUR MANIFESTO

LONDON, June 19

The British Parliamentary Labour Party have issued a manifesto, drawing attention to grave dange: to the League of Nations owing to the abandonment of the Sanctions, and accusing the Government of scrapping solemn pledges that the League would remain the keystone of its foreign pollicy. It adds: “The Government is not only prepared to allow Signor Mussolini to profit by aggression, but also to abandon the whole system of collective security through the League.” The manifesto emphasises that the crisis should be used as an opportunity to rehabilitate the League, and .io make an approach to peace by rallying to the defence of collective security.

FOREIGN RECEPTION.

ITALY GRATIFIED

LONDON. June 19

“The Times’s” Rome correspondent says: Mr. Eden’s speech has been received here with general satisfaction. Exultant newspaper headlines proclaim thv failure of the Geneva plans, and also the totalitarian Italian victory. Mr. Eden’s admission that no trace of any Abyssinian Government exists is reproduced with special emphasis, and it clearly has caused gratification. The speech, on the whole, is hailed as being an unexpectedly frank and courageous admission of the miscalculations made, which admission is more likely to result in the re-establishment of bitter HaloBritish relations than a more “grudging” statement would have been. Italy already is seeing in Mr. Eden qualities that had long been denied him, namely, statesmanship and realism. Reserve tempers the satisfaction, because Mr. Eden’s announcement of a permanent strengthening of Britain’s Mediterranean defences gives food for thought.

FRENCH ACCEPTANCE

PARIS. June 18

The French Cabinet is too occupied with Erance’s domestic problems to permit of tiny considered discussion of the Sanctions, but caution may have something to do with the fact of there being an absence of any official comment. Nevertheless, the general opinion seems to be that Mr. Eden has extricated the French Government from a dilemma. Prance will probably follow Britain’s lead, but as unostentatious! v as possible. LATER. The Council of Ministers decided on consideration of the facts, to accept the lifting of Sanctions. PRESS ESTIMATES. (Recd. June 20, 11 a.m.) LONDON, June 19. There is still lack of official comment in Paris on Mr Eden’s Sanctions pronouncement, but there is general relief that Mr Eden has extricated France from a dilemma. It is suggested that, the official silence is due to caution and embarrassment, rather than disappointment. The Press mostly asks what next? Gustav Pertinax in “‘L’Echo de Paris” inscribes Britain’s change of front as the final realisation of the German d angei.

'[’lie Communist “Humanite” wants Fiance to take up the leadership B; itain has surendered, but “Le Figaro." whilst congratulating Britain on the. skill of • somersaulting at Franco’s expense, yet think Britain by the courageous lead in retreat, will

| not only gain a reward from Italy, but the respect of all countries which iollow the lead, and those courageous enough to make up their minds and act accordingly. GERMAN OPINIONS. • BERLIN. June IS. The German Government is interested in the British Sanctions decision. but remains aloof. “Mr. Eden proved himself master of the situation. The Government had courage to accept the consequences,” declares “Voelkischer Boebachter.” The “Deutsche Allegmeine” underlines Mr. Eden’s allusions to freedom in the Mediterranean, the integrity of Europe’s western frontiers, wherein an understanding with Germany is a first condition.

SURPRISE AT GENEVA

GENEVA. June IS

League circles can hardly credit the abandonment of the Sanctions, they regarding this as being the surrender of the only possible weapon. They are amazed that Britain should thus throw up the sponge. They wonder how she can now prevent the collapse of the collective security system. It is emphasised that Italy’s violation of the League Covenant and the position in Ethiopia are still unsettled.

DE VALERA DEFENDS EDEN.

t Received June 20, Noon). DUBLIN, June 19

Speaking in the Dail, Mr De Valera declared that the opponents of the Government were blaming Britain, and especially Mr Eden, for the failure of Sanctions. “I am certain it was not the fault of' Mr Eden that successful measures were not taken. Unless the League were reformed. England will not continue membership. The Free State certainly will not support military Sanctions, even if the League is reformed.

S. AFRICAN REGRET.

(Recd. June 20, S a.m.). CAPE TOWN. June 19

The, “Cape Times” beads its comment'“Sounding the Retreat,” and re-marks:-It was one of the most humiliating declarations that has ever fallen from a British Foreign Secretary. How is it possible now to restore the League’s full authority, after Britain has taken the lead in delivering the League the most damaging blow it has ever sustained? PRETORIA, June 19.

General Hertzog declared that the South African policy to stand’ by Sanctions was unchanged, despite the British Government’s decision.

MEDITERRANEAN BASES

(Recd. June 20, Noon.) LONDON, June 19

It is reported in the lobbies that the Government’s plans for strengthening the position in the Mediterranean, include maintaining the fleet on a higher level than before the Abyssinian dispute, and a stronger garrison in Egypt. The Government may ultimately consider provision for further bases.

JEWISH MIGRANTS

ROME, June 18

An extensive scheme for the establishment of Jewish communities in Italian East Africa, Ims been approved by the Italian Secretary for the Colonies.

The scheme has been prepared by the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, which is sending a Commission Io Addis Ababa to organise colonisalion with the authorities.