COLLECTIVE ACTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 17, 18 December 1935, Page 9

COLLECTIVE ACTION.

GREAT BRITAIN’S STAND. FRANK STATEMENT PROMISED. LONDON, Dec. 17. The political correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says the Prime Minister (Mr Stanley Baldwin) will strongly support the Foreign Minister (Sir Samuel Hoare) in the House of Commons debate on Thursday on the lines forecast yesterday. Sir Samuel Hoare’s position is delicate, but Mr Baldwin is expected to oppose a change in the Foreign Office. Mr Baldwin, the Telegraph’s correspondent continues, will indulge in plain speaking when lie defends the Franco-British proposals. He will stress that in deciding to approve the plan the-Government was conscious-of the risk of a European war that would follow the imposition of a fully-effec-tive oil embargo against Italy.. The issue will be frankly, stated — namely, that the Government is not prepared to embark on a course which might lead to war in the absence of absolute guarantees of effective military support from other members or the League. The Government has throughout insisted that Britain iu never act alone, on behalf of the

’League. All measures must be collective. This fact was re-emphasis-ed in Government circles last night, and the lack of definite assurance by others was given as the reason for the couree which has been pursued. The Government is confident that Thursday’s debate will put the situation in its true light. The Geneva correspondent of the Telegraph says that all eyes are turned toward London. The British Cabinet’s decision and the outcome of the House of Commons debate are awaited with interest unparalleled in League history. The Rome correspondent of the Times says the official spokesman declares that, after the Fascist Grand Council has discussed the proposals on December 18, the Government will probably ask for explanations on a number of points and perhaps point out various objections. It will thus apparently be some time before Italy has even decided whether the proposals can be regarded as a basis for discussion. ... A special meeting of Cabinet this morning will decide the nature of Mr Eden’s statement to the League Council on December 18.