ARMS SUPPLY EMBARGO

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 28 February 1933, Page 7

ARMS SUPPLY EMBARGO

NO FURTHER CONTRACTS ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN INTERNATIONAL PLAN SOUGHT. NO PART IN CONFLICT. (British Official Wireless.) Received 2.30 p.m to-day. RUGBY, Feb. 27. The situation in the Far East and the proposal for an embargo on the export of am,? was the subject of an important statement, by Sir John Simon, The Foreign Secretary, in the House of Commons. Tie said the basis upon which Britain ought to proceed was. to remain good frienus with both China and Japan and ho wanted to do everything he could to induce the parties to roach a method of reconciliation.

The Lytton Report was a perfectly simple document which said there was :io doubt the methods being followed by Japan and the actions taker, were not in accordance with the League Covenant. Very grave injustice, however, would bo done if they did not admit the case of Japan was one with many obligations and that she had been put to very severe trials by a neighbour extremely difficult to deal with. Lord Lytton endeavoured to produce a balanced judgment and 40 nations pronounced unanimous approval of the report of a perfectly fair commission that was in fact immense in the history of the world.

It was natural that a demu.iKl shod t arise calling -for action which would prevent the sustaining fostering and fermenting .of conflict by the supply of arms. Supplying arms could only be effectively and finally stopped by an international agreement. Unlike most ether countries Britain had machinery which could he used. Ho understood the United .States Executive had no power to prevent exports at present, but was glad to see the Senate suggested legislation to confer powers on the president. The British Government was awaking a reply from half a dozen principal arms producing countries as to what could be done by way of international agreement, At the very best it would fake some time to get enough information to know whether an international decision were-possible.

Meanwhile he laid down this proposition from which the Government would not budge, namely that it was impractical for a single country, acting alone, to differentiate between one combatant and another. ‘'We have done everything in our power to hagten international consideration of the subject and pending that consideration as from now on, we believe any effort and any sacrifice is worth making: which will reduce the risk of widening the field of conflict,” lie continued. “Existing contracts already entered into must be respected, but, subject to this, we have decided as from to-day and pending the opportunity for an international consultation and decision such as I hope for, the Government will not authorise the issue of licenses lor export either to China or Japan of any articles mentioned in the Arms Export Prohibition Order of 1931.” “It will be the first time, so far as 1" knew, in which any neutral .Government which manufactures arms has taken positive action of this kind in reference to a distant conflict with wh/.ch we do not mean to concern ourselves.”

f oneluding Sir John Simon remarked that Mr Geo. Lnnsbury- had expressod the view that recent' developments in the Far East were bringing 'about u ■situation fit to be compared with the fearful situation of 1914-18. “There is one great difference between 1914 and r.ow,” continued Sir John. “In no circumstances would this Government authorise this country to be a party to the struggle.” Sir Herbert Samuel feared the effect of the proposed embargo would be inauspicious to the interests of China and sought information as to the runiung of contracts. If thety were meant for Japan she would b e able for months or years to have a larae quantity of arms from Britain. He thought the conscience of the nation would urge that some steps should be taken to terminate the contracts. Mr. Austen Chamberlain said that at the outset in view of the provocation the Japanese had suffered his sympathies were wholly with Japan, but as the situation developed that sympathy diminished. No nation in the world, however powerful, .could afford to neglect the judgment of Geneva.

COMMONS DEBATE OPENS

LABOUR LEADER’S CHARGE.

Received 1.20 p.m. to-day. LONDON, Feb. 27. Mr. Geo. Lansbury, in opening the Far East debate in the House of Commons, said that after 17 months of discussion the League had decided that Japan was the aggressor and her actions were incompatible with membership of the League. In her signature to the treaties regarding China, Japan had shown a cynical, blatant disregard of obligations. There could never be any inherent right of one nation to invade another’s territory, whatever economic interests were at stake. 11 Russia were brought into the struggle it was certain the war mania woidd break out in Europe and blaze as it did in 1914.

The League having decided that Japan was the aggressor the obligations provided in the Covenant should be put into operation. He hoped the Government would say immediately that no arms or ammunition would be allowed to be exported.

Mr. Winston Churchill: To either side ? Mr. Lansbury said his view was not to either side. The Labour Party tool” the view that there should be a complete embargo' only against the argressor and there should also he an embargo on finance and credit.