BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1938, Page 7

BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY

DEBATE IN LORDS Labour Motion Rejected [British Official Wireless.] (Received May 19, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, May 18. A debate on foreign affairs was initiated in the House of Lords by the Opposition Leader, Lord Snell, who moved: “That in the opinion of this House ,the foreign policy of the Government, which includes its acceptance of the sacrifice of Abyssinian independence, and is detrimental to the democratic Government of Spain,

offers no certainty of any compensating gain to principles of peace and democracy.” Later, Lord Brocket moved an amendment, expressing the » House’s approval of the Government’s foreign policy, including the Anglo-Italian agreement, and the policy of non-in-tervention in Spain. Lord Halifax (Foreign Secretary), will reply for the Government to the debate.

SMALLER KINGDOM FOR SELASSIE

ARCHBISHOP’S SUGGESTION.

(Received May 19, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 19

| A suggestion that Signor Mussolini might be induced to offer to Haile Selassie some limited area of Abyssinia, in which he could be granted internal autonomy, under the suzerainty' of Italy, was strongly pressed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in the Debate in the House of Lords on foreign affairs (instituted by th? Opposition Leader). The Archbishop said that one condition of such an offer could be that Haile Selassie should forego the title of Emperor, and should undertake, to his utmost, to restrain Chiefs from fighting in Abyssinia. Lord Halifax (Foreign Secretary) said that he fully understood the feeling that had been aroused by anything resembling the recognition of the Italian conquest of Abyssinia. It was necessary, however, to reconcile themselves with what was practicably possible.

Lord Halifax added: “When the choice is between peace and war, I feel that duty impels me in the direclion of peace. His Majesty's Government has never condoned the Italian action, and never will.”

The House of Lords negatived Lord Snell’s motion.

The House then accepted Lord Brocket’s amendment, approving of the Anglo-Italian agreement, and the Government’s policy of non-inter-vention in Spain.