Sanctions Policy

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 152, 12 June 1936, Page 9

Sanctions Policy

TRIED AND FAILED Continuance Would Mean Risk of War CHANCELLOR’S SPEECH By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. LONDON, Juuo 11. Condemning the policy of continuing sanctions, Mr Neville Chamberlain, Chancellor of the Exchequer, speaking at a political dinner, declared that it would only lead to further misfortunes. Referring to Lord Robert Cecil’s claim that it is still possible to preserve Abyssinia’s independence by pursuing sanctions. Mr Chamberlain said: “That to me is the very midsummer of madness. “It is no use shutting our eyes to realities,” said the Chancellor. “Sanctions have been tried and have failed I am not blaming anyone for the failure; I merely record it now because, if wo have retained any vestige of common sense, we must admit that wo tried to impose upon the League a task beyond its powers. The nations composing the League must therefore decide so to limit the League’s functions in future that they may be in accord with its real powers. If that policy were courageously carried through, I believe it might go far to restore the League’s prestige, although it must be admitted that the League is so limited that it could no longer be relied on itself to secure peace for the world. It is now apparent that a policy of sanctions involves, if not war, at least the risk of war. and that risk must increase la proportion to the effectiveness of sanctions. It is also apparent that, in tho presence of such a risk, the nations cannot be relied on to proceed to the extremity of war unless their vital interests are threatened.” Mr Chamberlain suggested exploration of the possibility of localising the world’s danger spots in view of the more practical method of ensuring peace by regional arrangements approved by the League. Newspapers give great prominence to the speech, and ask whether he was speaking for himself or for Cabinet. The speech was delivered at the 19Cl ; Club’s dinner, at which Mr Chamberlain was the guest of honour, four huudred Conservatives attended and Lord Londonderry presided. WAR IN ABYSSINIA Italians Prisoned in Their Own Garrisons RAINS COMMENCE LONDON, June 11. “Abyssinia is still unconquered. The war goes on,” said Mr Herrouy, Foreign Minister of Abyssinia, on his arrival in London, where he resumes his post as advisor to the Emperor. “The Government still rules from Gore in the west, where there are 10,000 well-armed warriors.. Ras Desta, in the south, has 15,000 men, and scattered troops from Ogaden are re-forming. The rains have immobilised the Italians, whose aeroplanes are helpless owing to low clouds and whose roads are useless. They are prisoners in their own garrisons. “The Abyssinian armies will resume resistance in October, when the rains are over. It will be mountain warfare. One-third of the country is still intact.”