One British Desire

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 71, 25 March 1936, Page 5

One British Desire

RESPECT FOR TREATIES. essence of foreign policy. (British Official Wireless). RUGBY, Mar. 23. Questioned in the House of Commons on tho European situation, tho Foreign Secretary, Mr Anthony Eden, stated that in the course of his conversations with Herr von Ribbcntrop ho emphasised that the contents of the document which had been communicated to him were in the nature of proposals. “I made it clear,’’ he said, “that his Majesty's Government hoped the German Government would be in a position to accept them, but that in any ovent his Majesty’s Government felt that the German Government should assist them in their task by making some constructive contribution to improve the situation. On my instructions his Majesty’s Ambassador in Berlin used similar language in an interview with the German Minister of Foreign Affairs yesterday.” Answering another question, the Prime Minister said that maintenance of the principle of sanctity of treaties was the main objective of the British Government. Only Possible Foundations. Lord Halifax, who was ono of the British delegates ia the Four-Power discussions, both in Paris and in London, deputised for Mr Anthony Eden at a meeting in Bristol to-night. He expressed the opinion that it had been the single desire of the whole country in the recent crisis to use its full influence for the preservation of European peace and to build this peace upon tho only possible foundations, namely, respect for treaties fairly made and mutual understanding. That, he asserted, put. in its simplest terms the very essence of British foreign policy. Referring to tho German ease, argued at tho League Council by Herr von Ribbentrop, Lord Halifax said thoro was much in it that would command sympathy in many quarters, but whatever sympathy Englishmen might have with the broad outlines of the German case, their constructive respect for law would always make them condemn action taken in direct violation of it. Result of Restraint.

He went on to express understanding of any sympathy with the depth of tho feeling of anxiety and resentment aroused in Belgium and France by the German action in the demilitarised zone. If, as he believed, the first danger was passed, it was due on the one hand to the restraint of France and Belgium, and on the other to the untiring efforts of the British Foreign Secrotary to secure a better understanding between Germany and Belgium and France, which had resulted in the proposals now before the world. They were not to be regarded as an ultimatum for Germany to accept, but if they wore found unacceptable by the German Government in any respect, the other Powers were entitled to ask the German Government to advance other proposals not less effectual, constituting a real contribution by Germany to the cause of settlement which might rank with the contribution of restraint made by Belgium and France and the contribution to security made by the British Government. The British declaration of complete adherence to the obligations of the Treaty of Locarno and of agreement to practical discussions with Belgium and France in advance of means by which aid might be lent to them in case of unprovoked aggression had been, he believed, a real contribution to the creation of an atmosphere in which discussion could take place and peaee be established. Underground Campaign in German Elections BERLIN, Mar. 23. While the Nazi leaders arc frantically electioneering, Communists and Socialists, at immense risk, arc conducting an underground campaign as in the 1933 olection, when they polled over 12,000,000 votes. Anti-Nazi leaflets are again being scattered in buses and tube trains, and many appeals begin as business advertisements. The secret police are keenly searching to trace the source.