ABANDONMENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 156, 17 June 1936, Page 7

ABANDONMENT

of Sanctions Policy BRITISH ATTITUDE Foreign Secretary’s Frank Explanation DOMINIONS’ VIEWPOINT (By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright.) (Received 17, 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 16. Evening newspapers give prominence to an announcement that the Rt. Hon. J. A, Lyons, Australian Prime Minister, sent a cable to the Rt. Hon. S. M. Bruce, Australian Minister in London, in which he is reported to have intimated that Australia was anxious to see sanctions ended in view of the loss of Italian marketing. The “Sun-Herald” news service says that Great Britain’s attitude towards sanctions was outlined by the Rt. Hon. Anthony Eden, Foreign Secretary, this afternoon at a conference with the Dominions’ High Commissioners, each of whom submitted his own Dominion’s viewpoint. Mr. Bruce presented the Commonwealth’s case. The newspapers' announcement caused a flutter, especially among foreign correspondents, who suspect that London inspired the Commonwealth to initiate the abandonment of sanctions to enable the British Government to present a strong case in the House of Commons on Thursday and simultaneously save its fuco on tho Continent. Actually all the Dominions except South Africa favoured the dropping of sanctions. Mr. Eden frankly explained the British reasons for the reversal of policy, emphasising that the failure of League action caused splits and fissures throughout Europe, and that continuation of sanctions would make tho position worse. The “Morning Post’s” political correspondent says: “Mr. Eden’s speech in the House of Commons on June 18 announcing the Government ’s decision to propose raising sanctions will follow closely ifiv lines ot Mr Nevill Chamberlain’s speech on June 11. Ho will point’ mH that sanctions have failed either io j revent or cud the Abyssinian war or preserve the independence of Abysriuiu and, iu view of this, th#re is uo logi al or practical justification lor maintaining them. “There have been no Cabinet differences regarding this," states the voiicspondent. “The only hesitancy has been whether Britain should lead at Geneva or leave tho initiative to the Assembly. ’ ’ The ‘ * Daily Telegraph's ’ ’ Home correspondent says; “Semi-official circles are now declaring that the lifting ol sanctions will not bo enough to allow Italy again to collaborate in European affairs, and are suggesting that a more positive gesture is needed, namely, rim simultaneous reversal of the League’s aggression verdict.”