BRITAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 January 1938, Page 12

BRITAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY

SPECIAL ADVISER APPOINTED

LONDON, January 1

In view of increasing strain on the personnel of the Foreign Office, the Government has decided to appoint Sir Robert Vansittart as Chief Diplomatic Adviser, responsible directly to the Secretary of £tate. The functions of the new officer will be analogous to those fulfilled by the occupants of similar posts attached to other Departments. such as Chief Industrial and Chief Economic Advisers to the Government.

Sir Alexander Cadogan has been appointed to fill Sir R. Vansittart’s place as Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

PRESS COMMENTS

RUGBY. January 2

Commenting on Sir R. Vansittart’s appointment, "The Times” says: There can be no doubt the innovation which will enable the Foreign Secretary to remit important questions for study by an experienced official. not immersed in current detail, is thoroughly justified in the present circumstances. Never had foreign policy meant more to the people of England: Re-armament alone, upon which the new appointment might be taken to have a fairly direct bearing, was proof enough of its persuasiveness. “The Times” considers Sir R. Vansittart as the natural selection.

Mr. Vernon Bartlett, writing in the “News-Chron4cle,” endorses Sir R. Vansittart’s appointment, and suggests that, since he presumably will be far more frequently consulted by x members of the Cabinet than he could have been at the old post, the Foreign Secretary’s hands will be considerably strengthened. Mr. Bartlett is also typical of other commentators in giving a warm reception to Sir A. Cadogan’s promotion. A “Daily Telegraph” writer describes the change as appearing inevitable to anyone aware of the vast increase in official responsibilities, devolving on the permanent head of the oreign Office.