European Tension

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 272, 20 November 1934, Page 4

European Tension

WAR SPIRIT CREATED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Nov. 16. Mr. J. H. Thomas, Secretary of State for the Dominions, in a speech at Newport, said that neither directly nor indirectly was there any secret agreement which involved Britain in any commitment on the Continent of Europe. They were .faced with many difficulties, and elements were abroad over Europe which created the war spirit, namely, suspicion, ill will, and mistrust, but. he saw no warrant or justification lor the war talk now prevalent. Dealing with the question of traffic in arms he appreciated ' the anxiety felt on the subject. Britain, however, was the only country which had a licensing system for the export of armaments by means' of which effective Government control could be exercised, and to his knowledge millions of pounds’ worth of orders in the last three yeais had in consequence of this system been refused. They had also refused and would continue to refuse Government credit of any kind to the manufacture, of armaments. He wished other nations would welcome an inquiry into the situation regarding the private manufacture and national control of armaments, and believed that it would show results of which they would have no reason to feel ashamed.

Disarmament Issue (British Official W’ircless.) RUGBY, Nov. 16. Captain Anthony Eden, Lord Privy (Seal, will be the chief British delegate at the meeting on Tuesday of the Disarmament Conference Bureau at Geneva.