BRITAIN AT GENEVA

Manawatu Times, 25 March 1926, Page 9

BRITAIN AT GENEVA

. CHAMBERLAIN MAKES NOTABLE DEFENCE

How he Fought For League of Nations

AND HOW HE FAILED

[By Electric Cable—Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.} (Received Wednesday, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 23.

Sir Austen Chamberlain, with a Stern expression on entering a crowded and expectant House of Commons, did not relax In response to Ministerial cheers.

Mr Lloyd George Initiated the debate by moving a reduction in the Foreign Office vote to call attention to the proceedings at Geneva and the action of the British representative there. He regretted that Sir Austen Chamberlain had not seen fit to take the floor at first, as ho did after the Locarno meeting, and explain how the Locarno policy was checked at Geneva. The speaker declared that the Locarno Powers were responsible for the Geneva failure. The peace of the world hung on the action which the House of . Commons took and directed the Government to take in the future.

Mr Lloyd George said they were entitled to ask whether Sir Austen Chamberlain know before hand _ that France and Poland intended to insist on the simultaneous entry of Poland to the League with Germany. He declared that Instead of using their influence to secure the admission of Germany alone, tho Locarno treaty powers intrigued and even threatened In order to get somebody else in. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald declared that Sir Austen Chamberlain's attitude resulted in tho most lamentable failure of British diplomacy for many years. Britain had got mixed up In diplomacy which was hostile to the League. He left the League In confusion and in sadness, while the cynicism abroad In Europe was such as was not known since the war.

Lord Hugh Cecil said he saw nothing in the events at Geneva which was harmful to peace. He declared Sir Austen Chamberlain had answered his critics with manly and convincing candour. SIR AUSTEN'S DEFENCE. Sii* Austen Chamberlain (British Foreign Minister) categorically de- \ nied that when he interviewed M. Briand on his return from Italy, he entered into any engagement regarding Polish claims or anything else. Neither had he instigated nor encouraged M. Briand to press the Polish claim . He said Mr Lloyd George professed to come to the House as an open-minded and distressed enquirer, but he did not await even his (Mr Chamberlain’s) arrival from Geneva before he telegraphed the American press his "condemnation of Chamberlain’s action and hla suspicion of Chamberlain’s honour.” Sir Austen said It was strange that a charge of his disloyalty against Germany should have been laid by a compatriot and not by the Germans themselves. Re-

garding the feeling of America, Mr Lloyd George had done his share by articles insinuating what he dared not say in the House that day. The instructions with which he

went to Geneva were, subject to his discretion, to make the best arrangement possible in accordance with the development of the situation; that the British policy should be based on the principles, firstly, that no change in the Council should be made which would have the effect of preventing or delaying the entry of Germany: secondly, that it would be best that Germany should, as a member of the Council, have full responsibility for any change in the Council beyond her

own admission; thirdly, the rule that only the great Powers should be permanent members of the Council should be maintained in principle; fourthly, that Spain was in a special

position and might require exceptional treatment: fifthly, that neither Pol-

and nor Brazil should have permanent seats at present, but that Poland should be given a non-permanent

Beat as soon as possible. He had acted accordingly and declared no pressure of any kind was put on Sweden to act as she did. Ho declared that public discussions throughout the world had made Germany's position ■impossible. He Intimated that if that night's vote were adverse, ho would resign. He did his best to persuade the other nations not to raise the question of the enlargement of the Council at present, and urged them to get Germany into the League and not to complicate the discussion by introducing other issues. Sir Austen said Britain's part was her accustomed part, that of moderator and conciliator. He stated that Brazil contended she had notified Germany of her Intention to claim a permanent seat, and ho was of opinion that that ought to have put Germany on her guard.

m Franco and Britain had laid down that Germany’s request for admission to the League should be uncondition-

The Minister declared there was no ground for a charge of bad faith against anyone, but there was misunderstanding. It was never hinted at Locarno that Germany attached any importance to her being the sole entrant to the League.

Sir Austen next emphasised the difficulties caused by the publicity given the Polish claim, by arousing the national feeling of each country. Me added that unless future nations, members of the League, and especially

members of the Council, were prepared to attain their ends without making a positive stand publicly, the League could not work, and its whole purpose he had destroyed. Ho explained ho had informed all parties concerned before the discussions at Geneva of the exact attitude of the British Government. For example, he told the Spanish Ambassador that if the candidature of Spain would impede the entry of Germany, ho would vote against Spain. The Foreign Minister concluded by claiming that the Locarno accord had withstood the great strain at Geneva. The spirit of Locarno had persisted and inspired the policy of the seven nations who had signed the treaty. The influence of Britain stood higher than at any time since the war. While’ he had been the spokesman of his country in foreign relations, nobody with whom he had dealt in that capacity had questioned the honesty of our policy, or doubted our good faith, or our word. LLOYD GEORGE’S MOTION DEFEATED. Mr Lloyd George’s motion was rejected by 325 votes to 136.