“Spurious Appeal to Patriotism”

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 246, 18 October 1935, Page 8

“Spurious Appeal to Patriotism”

BITTER SPEECH BY VISCOUNT SNOWDEN

United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—CopyrlKbt.

LONDON, Oct. 16.

Viscount Snowden, whose broadcasts from an armchair at No. 11 Downing street, played such a decisive part in tho National Government’s victory in 1931, today lashed the same Government in a bitter speech at the National Liberal Club. "To force an election in the present distracted stato of the public is a mean and partisan act aud a spurious appeal to patriotism,” he said. He prophesied that the Tories will lose 200 seats, and not poll a majority of votes. Attacking the Government’s foreign policy, Lord Snowden declared that, instead of deserving credit for its present belated policy, tho Government deserves, along with other Powers, severe censure for allowing matters to drift to their present tragic conclusion. He paid a tribute to tho courage and capacity of Mr Eden, who was was hampered by lack of support by his colleagues, especially when dealing with the reluctant French Premier. Attacking tho campaign for increased armaments as being incompatible with the League policy, ho said that Britain was by no means ill equipped, and the development of collective responsibility should make reduced armaments easier.

Liberals and the League

Received Thursday*, 7 p.m, LONDON, Oct. 16. Tho National Liberal Federation has issued a manifesto protesting against Sir John Simon’s claim that the majority of the Liberals supported the Government. On tho contrary, the Liberals oppose the exploitation of the nation’s enthusiasm for the League for any party advantage. Rearmament will doubtless be necessary if the League collapses when the Liberals would accept responsibility, but tho triumph of the League would enable disarmament.