Britain Abandons Sanctions

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 144, 20 June 1936, Page 5

Britain Abandons Sanctions

Mr Eden States Government’s Case

Angry Scenes in Commons

Devastating Attack by Mr Lloyd

George

(British Official "Wireless).

RUGBY, June IS,

Before a House which, was crowded in every part for his statement on the Government’s policy at the forthcoming League meeting, tho Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, announced this afternoon in the House of Commons that while it is ready to take part in whatever action might be collectively determined, his Majesty’s Government had decided for its part that there was no utility in continuation of sanctions against Italy. He added an assurance that the Government would devote itself to restoring the League to its full authority.

At a later stage in his speech, Mr. Eden referred to the efforts of the successive British Governments to bring about reconciliation between France and Germany, and to the situation created by Germany’s repudiation of her Locarno obligations on March 7 last. He said that the British Government in the present circumstances felt justified in looking for an early reply from Herr Hitler’s Government to the inquiries recently addressed to it.

In opening the debate on foreign affairs Mr Eden said that tho Government -welcomed an opportunity of making plain its attitude on a number of problems confronting tlie League of Nations upon which, the League States together -would have to reach a decision before the close of the month. From the beginning of tho ItaloEthiopiau dispute tho British Government had taken its full part- in collective action. It might be argued that collective action should have been more complete, Mr Eden said, countering interruptions from the Opposition, but none could deny that tho Britisn Government had played its full part It would continue to do so. ‘'We shall act fully and loyally in lino with any action the Assembly may decide upon,” he added. Duty to Give a Lead ' Tho Forcigu Secretary rehearsed (he initiatives tho British Government had taken at successive crises while the dispute had been before tho League, and declared it would not be right at this time of perplexity to shirk tho duty of giving a lead. “I am quite convinced, ’ ’ he said, “that so far from the lead we are going to give embarrassing others, it will he welcomed in many quarters.’ ’ Turning to the question of what the League should do iu the present circumstances, Mr Eden said that the fact had got to be faced that the sanctions imposed had not realised the purpose for which they were applied. Abyssinia was in Italian military occupation, and so far as ho was aware no Abyssinian , Government survived iu any part of Abyssinia. It could not bo expected that continuation of tho existing measures of economic pressure would restore the position iu Abyssinia. Nothing but military action from outside could possibly do that, and so far as he knew no other Government, and certainly not tho British Government, was prepared to take such

military action. To maintain the existing sanctions without any clearly-defined purpose •would only result iu the crumbling of the sanctions front, so that in a short time the League would be confronted with a state of affairs even more derogatory to its authority than that which it faced to-day. .Ln these circumstances, “his Majesty’s Government, after mature consideration and on the advice which I as Foreign Secretary thought it my duty to give, has como to the conclusion that there is no longer auy utility in continuing thees measures as a means of pressure upon Italy.”

“Nothing to Apologise Tor”

Though the League had not availed to prevent the successful accomplishment of violation of the Covenant, the Government, did .hot regret, Mr Eden emphasised—nor did he believe fellowLeaguo members regretted—having made the attempt. For that they had nothing to apologise for and nothing to retract. .Nor was there any question, in the British Government's view, of tho judgment passed by (he League last autumn on the act of aggression being either modified or reversed.

Mr Eden added that in the light of the experience of recent months the Government had determined that it was necessary for Great Britain to maintain permanently in the Mediterranean a defensive position stronger than that which existed before the dispute between Italy and Ethiopia broke out.

In the middle part of his speech, which was subject to some .interruption at times from the Opposition benches, the Foreign Secretary discussed the future of the League, which, he said, needed to be earnestly ‘and urgently considered by all its members. Ho must make it plain, he declared, that tho Government was determined that tho League should go on.- .....

Eolations With Germany

Before ho sat down Mr Eden addressed himself to problems arising

from Germany’s rcoccupation of tho Rhineland iu March. Successive British Governments had long stood for a policy of re establishing good r lions between Germany and her enemies in the last war, on a basis of Germany’s omiality and independence of others,

France’s Attitude.

Government’s Unanimous Conviction,

as well as of respect for engagements undertaken. The collaboration of Germany was indispensable to the peace of Europe, and British Governments had asked nothing better than to work with Germany to that end. Referring to the German reoccupation of the demilitarised zones, Mr Eden said that that action had aroused tho utmost anxiety and disquiet in Belgium and France and among countries in a great part of Europe. In those circumstances tho policy of the Government had been to seek to calm anxiety and then to promote a situation in which considered reflection and careful negotiation might be possible, Unfortunately, the German Government had felt unable to make any spontaneous contribution towards restoration of confidence. Speaking of inquiries designed to elucidate the German proposals which had been dispatched to Berliu, the Foreign Secretary argued that it was important for Britain and for Europe to bo assured that Germany now felt that a point had been reached at which she could signify that she recognised and undertook to respect the existing territorial and political status of Europe except as it might subsequently be modified by free negotiation and agreement. A frank and reassuring response to that question he was sure would bo a signal for returning confidence in Europe.

Air. Lloyd George asKed what was France’s attitude, and Air. Eden replied that the new French Government Said it was not prepared to take the initiative in raising sanctions, Out was anxious to work with Britain. The French Government had not given an indication of its resiro to maintain sanctions or that it would support further sanctions.

Mr. Lloyd George proceeded: “British prestige abroad was never lower, and fifty nations will never trust this crowd again. To-night we have had a cowardly surrender, and there are the cowards.”

Mr. Lloyd George stood pointing at tho Ministers. He declared in ringing t~nes that tho danger of war was less now than when santcious were imposed. The Fleet was then unprepared and ill equipped under a patriotic National Government. Now the Navy was really equipped. Moreover, France’s attitude, which under M. Laval was hostile to sanctions, had now changed. Spain’s attitude was also differeut. “'The -whole of the Mediterranean Bowers except Italy arc ready to support you,” he said, “yet you are running away.” The Government’s watchword was “We have failed, and therefore we have funked.” But why! Italy’s foreign trade had dwindled by o~cr half, and if the increasing strain was kept up for another year terms could bo made with Mussolini.

When Mr. Lloyd George sat down a back-bench member rose, and members of the Labour Party cried: “We want Baldwin. ’ ’

The Prime Minister thereupon arose. He claimed that in his speeches he had stressed the tentative nature of sanctions and collective security. He was convinced that the League in the autumn must consider tho whole question of collective security. The views staled by Mr. Eden had the unanimous support of the Government, which was honestly convinced that they represented the wiser of the two courses. It was necessary for tho League Powers and Europe to make up their minds whether they were prepared to put their forces iu a condition to support the League ,~.~tes against an aggressor. “I feci convinced,” he said, “that among tile common people of many countries in Europe, here, and in France there is such a loathing of war, not from fear but from knowledge of what it may mean, that I sometimes wonder if tney would march unless in danger.” Were Britain threatened every man would spring to arms, but a good deal of education might be needed befora they would consent to undertake all the

Wo-Confidence Motion

obligations of the Covenant. If war came nearer, than the Mediterranean the people would pay in the first night with their lives. The first blow might come from the air. “1 don't see how and when an opportunity would come,” he said, ‘ ‘.but we -arc hoping to bring

No-Confidence Motion

France, Germany, and ourselves into a conference for the peace of Europe.”

The leader of the Opposition, Major Attlee, said: “Peace will uever bo obtained by running away and shaking

like a jelly at every dictator who shakes his fist at you. The Government is not piling up arms for peace but leading the country back to tho bloodstained track of war.”

The debate was adjourned. Major Attlee gave notice of motion: That the Government, by lack of a resolute and straightforward foreign policy, has lowered the prestige of the country, weakened the League of Nap tions, and imperilled peace, and thereby has forfeited the confidence of tho House.

The Leader of the Opposition, Major Attlett. said: “Peace will never be obtained by running away and shaking like a jelly at every dictator who shades his first at you. The Government, is not piling up arms for peace but leading the country back to the bloodstained track of war.”

The debate was adjourned. Major Attlee gave notice of - motion: That the Government, by lack of a resolute and straightforward foreign policy, has lowered the prestige of the country, weakened tho League of Nations, and imperilled peace, and thereby has forfeited tho confidence of the House.