CHAMBERLAIN MAKES THE PATIENTLY AWAITED STATEMENT

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3288, 6 March 1926, Page 9

CHAMBERLAIN MAKES THE PATIENTLY AWAITED STATEMENT

British Viewpoint on Increase in League Council Nation Not Unalterably Opposed to Change or Addition But Controversy Watched With Gravest Anxiety Britain’s viewpoint on an increase in the Council of the League of Nations was stated, on Thursday, in the House of Commons, by Sir Austen Chamberlain. Although Britain had not raised, or instigated, the large issues, it was inevitable, said the Foreign Secretary, that they should have cropped up. If he understood it aright, the nation was not unalterably opposed to any change or addition to the League Council, but it feared the opening of the question would endanger Locarno, or that there was something in the air that did not savour of fair play. An indication of the state of feeling at Home may be gained from the fact that the Prime Minister’s motion for adjournment—a purely formal matter —was defeated by a hundred votes

MOTION TO ADJOURN. FOR CHAMBERLAIN’S STATEMENT. [By Electric Cable—Copyright] lAust and N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON. March 4. On the formal motion for the adjournment of the House of Commons, Sir Austen Chaiunerlaln said that, in view of the anxiety here and abroad, it was only right that there should be a statement of the British viewpoint on the subject of increasing the Council of the League or Nations. Personally, he felt it would be much easier to increase the difficulties with which they would be confronted at Geneva than to lessen them by any words he could use. He confessed that they had to watch the controversy with the greatest anxiety. They would meet at Geneva with many conflicting views, inspired by national feeling and tradition, but if the League was to continue to grow in influence and power they must at Geneva talk not in their Own language but in the language of Europe. Discussion by Dominions. The Prime Minister told Mr. P. A. Harris (Liberal member for S.W. Bethnal Green) that there would be ample opportunity at Geneva for a discussion by the Dominion delegates on the constitution of the League Council. PRESS STRIKES FALSE NOTE. ; LEAGUE TONGUE EUROPEAN. LONDON, March 4. During his speech in the House of Comomns, explaining the British attitude, towards the coming meeting of the League of Nations, Sir Austen Chamberlain said, that if the League was to grow in influence and power they must not talk in their own iangguage, but in the language of Europe. There had been too little recognition of that viewpoint in the press controversy, said Sir Austen Chamberlain, but he was encouraged to hope for better things from the statements of representatives of the nations directly concerned, all of whom showed the same appreciation of the difficulty and delicacy of the situation and had given proof of moderation of outlook in the desire to arrive at an agreement. “We regret these large Issues have arisen at the present time. We did not raise them or Instigate the raising, but perhaps It was inevitable that they should have croptoed up.” Sir Austen Chamberlain said that if he understood a right the British nation was not unalterably opposed to any change or addition to the Council, hut feared opening the Question would endanger the Locarno agreement, or that there was something In the air that was not fair play. Following in Oostelreagh’s Footsteps. “The other day Dr. Stresemann alluded to the presence of Lord Castelrcagh’s photograph in the room where the Locarno treaty was signed and rightly deduced that it meant the British policy was the same now as was Lord Castlereagh’s after the Napoleonic wars.” The only difference was that the League was used as an instrument of the present policy, which was to protect the world against a repetition of the evils or dangers it had just escaped and welcomed back to the concert of nations the energy of yesterday. Locarno Pact Should Not Be Endangered. It must always be the guiding principle for the British delegates to Genova that they should not be parties to anything endangering the success of Locarno or making it impossible at

the last moment for Germany to enter the League as she sought In fulfilment of her assurance of peaceful intentions. Unity The Watchword. How all the divergencies could be reconciled no man could say. Britain would not be a party to trying to recreate within the League camps of opposing forces, which were the curse of Europe before the war, but what was one vote more or less to anybody since there could be no result unless the Council was unanimous? There might be an exceptional case when the Council would have to decide by a majority vote. Then it would be a temptation not to make the Council as authoritative and Influential as possible for peace, but a lobby to obtain a majority. Therefore, till changes took place which he did not expect to see, it was essential to preserve the rule of unanimity. [Lord Castlereagh (1769-1822), British Minister of War and Foreign Secretary during the Napoleonic wars, incurred much unpopularity because Of home affairs. He succeeded to the Marquisate of Londonderry In 1821 and ended his life by suicide the following year.] MANAGEABLE SIZE. FREE INTERCHANGE OF IDEAS. LONDON, March 4. Sir Austen Chamberlain said he doubted If any previous British representative would say the council must always retain its original form unaltered: he doubted whether the last Assembly would be content with last year’s re-elections but for the knowledge that they would shortly be reviewed. Its composition must be subject to a free Interchange of Ideas, but it should be kept of manageable size. Particular Scrutiny of Enlargement. Any Increase in the permanent seats must be examined with the most particular scrutiny. Britain had not taken up the position that there should not be an addition of permanent seats except on the entry of Germany, the United States or Russia. There had been a private discussion in that connection four years ago. Britain had then supported Spain’s admittance, and did not see anything to cause a change in her attitude towards that point ' There were some States which were not qualified for permanent seats, but which at the particular moment it was desirable to have represented on the council. Guiding Principles. To argue differences and achieve agreement summarised the guiding principles of the British delegates. They should se first that nothing be done to jeopardise Locarno or give any power to the right to say it had been unfairly treated or entrapped. THE WAY TO PEACE. BRITAIN PREPARED TO DISCUSS IT NOW. (Received Friday, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 4. If the Council, unanimously were favourable to any claim it would have to be judged on its merits. Britain was not prepared to say, a priori, no claim should be admitted in any circumstances, but if any particular admittance directed the way to peace they would certainly not reject or oppose admittance on the ground that they would prefer to discuss it in September . Free to Make Friendly Gesture. That morning he had accepted a German suggestion that the Powers hold a preliminary discussion before the Council mot. The Rt. Hon. David Lloyd George: Does that mean that in the absence of agreement Britain will not vote for addition to the Council?

Sir Austen Chamberlain: I am not prepared to go beyond the statement. I want to stretch out my hands to others and see them stretch out theirs to me. I do not want to have mine tied so that my most friendly gesture must necessarily be futile. Other representatives may make the same plea for the same reason, for the sake of concord and peace, meeting as friendly colleagues, intent on making the Geneva meeting one more step towards reconciliation and peace. BADLY CORKED, WINE OP LOCARNO PACT. (Received Friday, 7.8 p.m.) LONDON. March 4. Following Sir Austen Chamberlain, the Rt. lion. Ramsay MacDonald said the Labour Party was disquieted by the circumstances in which the present position had arisen. He could not imagine a more unfortunate diplomatic method. Goal of Pact to Get Germany In. The specific goal of the Locarno Pact was to get Germany in. Public opinion was that Germany’s claims alone were now being considered and others being postponed. If they admitted Spain now it would be only one of a series of increases and they would go blundering along for ten years with an indefinitely elected Council, Begged Not to Destroy Locarno Masterpiece. Mr. Lloyd George thought they should get something more definite from Sir Austen Chamberlain, whom he begged not to destroy his Locarfto masterpiece. Sir Austen had emphatically re- ; fused to give a pledge to vote against Poland or Spain. Whether or not Germany protested, Italy and France were pledged to support Poland, while Japan was going with the majority. Britain seemingly would make that majority. Was she merely going to satisfy the general agreement arrived at? Britain could not take that part but must express her opinion, because her faith and honour were at stake. The Foreign Secretary had not a free hand because he had declared his opinion for M. Briand. Sir Austen Chamberlain: I told M. Briand I could not give a pledge. The Rt Hon. David Lloyd George: But you expressed your view and did so at Birmingham, so you have not a free hand. Continuing, the Liberal Leader said he was afraid that already the wine of the Locarno Pact was badly corked. PRIME MINISTER’S REPLY. MOTION NEGATIVED BY 224 TO 124. LONDON. March 4. Sir Alfred Mond expressed surprise at the success of German propaganda In this country. We are now in a most unfortunate position, quarrelling with our allies in order to support our former enemies. W e would be better occuple'd in developing our Dominions than putting ourselves up to be shot at by everybody, blamed by everybody, and loved by nobody. Premier Upholds Plea for Free Hand. Th e Rt. Hon. Stanley Baldwin denied absolutely that there was a Cabinet difference of opinion. Sir Austen Chamberlain's paramount task would be to see that Germany got a seat. Britain could not be the arbiter of Geneva’s agenda. Would any definite statement be more likely to help or prejudice Germany’s unconditional entrance to the council? The Ministry believed In a continuity of foreign policy and had renewed support to Spain, which the Rt. Hon. Lloyd George’s Ministry gave. The Prime Minister urged it was a fatal thing for the people to begin ranging themselves on the side of France or Germany. Sir Austen Chamberlain was going to Geneva before these things had gone too far, to try to obliterate them and reach a solution acceptable to all. After Sir Austen’s recent great service it was puzzling that members could not trust him to go to Geneva without categorical instructions. He was convinced that when Sir Austen returned members would be the first to acknowledge he had built one more stone in the temple of European peace. The motion for adjournment was negatived by 224 votes to 124. An earlier message of March 4th stated: The Rt. Hon. Stanley Baldwin announced he would move the adjournment to-morrow afternoon, to permit Sir Austen .Chamberlain to mak e a full statement regarding the League Council, especially in connection with claims for permanent seats. Time would bo allowed for the House to discuss the subject general uneasiness. NOT ALLAYED BY DEBATE, (Received 8.45 p.m.) LONDON, March 5. The Times says the effect of th>. debate is not such as to completely allay general uneasiness. There is really no effective answer

to the Rt, Hon. David Lloyd-Gcorgo’s reminder that a policy of waiting to see what happens at Genova may be carried too far by a great, self-re-specting nation. It 1s not yet quite clear what is going to happen. SPAIN OR POLAND? ODDS ON THE DONS. (Received 8.5 p.m.) LONDON. March 5. Apart from thg fact that Sir Austen Chamberlain skilfully did not commit himiself in the course of his long statement in the House of Commons, the most significant fact is that neither he nor the Premier directly mentioned Poland's admission or non-ad-mission, though several references were made to Spain. It may b e slated, with a degree of confidence, that tnc explanation is the British Government opposed the grant of a permanent seat on the Council to Poland immediately, and possibly will remain opposed in the future, but is prepared to acquiesce in support of Spain's admission immediately. In the event of Germany agreeing, this, at any rate, will be the basis of argument at the preliminary Sunday conversation between Sir Austen Chamberlain, M. Briand. Dr Luther and Dr Stresemann. In the event of a deadlock, the claims of Spain, Poland and Brazil will be referred to a commission reporting in September, Press and members of the House of Commons complain that Sir Austen Chamberlain did not answer the question whether the British delegation Intends to insist at this meeting that th e Council be devoted to the sole .purpose for which it was convened, and no other, but obviously if the Go. vernmont policy Is as stated above no answer could be given. The Daily Express says no other interpretation can be given to Sir Austen Chamberlain’s speech than that Spain will be admitted on Monday. The admission of Spain means a later admission of all states ranking immediately below th e great Powers. On the French Front. The French delegation will consist of M. Briand, M. Paul Boncour, and M. Loucheur. M. Briand yesterday had a conference with M. Nintchltch and Herr Hoesch (the Polish and German ambassadors at Paris). Premier of Poland. To-day Count Skryznski arrives at Paris. He sees M. Briand immediately. The German delegation is leaving for Geneva this evening. It is regarded as certain in Berlin that the question of Poland's admission will be deferred until September, .NATIONS WITH PRIOR CLAIMS.. BELGIUM AND POLAND. (Received Friday, 8.5 p.m.) , BRUSSELS, March 4. In the Chamber during the debate on the foreign budget, in response to a request to make a definite statement regardlnig Geneva, M. Vanderveldo (Minister of Foreign Affairs), expressed the opinion that the two nations ought to be represented on the Council, namely, Belgium, who is already there, and Poland, who is not yet represented. ‘‘lt would be shocking if Belgium left the Council, while Germany entered it, and if we were unable to defend out interests, while our neighbours In the East could do so." [The five permanent scats on the Council are held by Belgium, Britain, France, Italy and Japan.] CHINA DROPS JOG TROT. NO WTHAT FIELD IS OPEN. (Received Friday. 8.5 p.m.) GENEVA, March 4. China has formally applied for a permanent seat on the Council of the League. A London message of February 28 stated that Chao Hsing-chu, Chinese Minister in London, in a speech at the Press Club, prior to his departure to Geneva, said China’s claim for a permanent seat on the League of Nations Council was Justified by her vast territory, huge population, and ancient civilisation. Nevertheless, It the discussion at Geneva were confined to Germany’s entry, China was willllng to withdraw her application until later.