“Political Treachery”

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

“Political Treachery”

OPPOSITION’S FIERCE ATTACK.

LLOYD GEORGE’S DEVASTATING CRITICISM.

LONDON, Juno IS,

The Italian and German Ambassadors were present in the House of Commons during the speech of tho Foreign Secretary.

Mr Eden was frequently interrupted with cries from tho Opposition of “Resign,” “Shame,” “Sit down,” and “Sabotage.” Mr A. Greenwood (Labour), who followed Mr Eden, said that no more deplorable speech has ever fallen from the lips of a Foreign Minister. There was no word of sympathy for a broken nation, and no word of condemnation for a POwor that had deliberately organised tho use of poison gas. It was a speech that meant truckling to a Dictator, and millions would hear it with shame and consternation. Mr Greenwood compared past speeches of members of tho Government with present performances and said they had betrayed their election manifesto and committed the biggest act of political treachery in tho country’s history. Ho added that unless the House was given an emphatic denial it would have no alternative but to believe that the Government’s policy included limitation of the powers of the League and reversion to regional pacts. Only Effective Weapon Lost, Angry scones were provoked by Air Greenwood’s denunciation of tho Government for ‘‘ dispensing with the League’s ono effective weapon.” Members of the Ministry shouted “Will you go to war?” Labour members cried “Order.” A Conservative attempted to put the question formally, and met with cries of “Sit down.’ ’ Earl Wintcrtou (Conservative) sarcastically shouted “Bravo Socialists,” and another Conservative told t-ho Labour mombers “It isn’t you who will do the lighting, but us. ”■ A Labour member retaliated: “You’ll get a staff job, I suppose.” When tho House quietened down Air Groemvood said ho did not believe in war. Tho only thing left was economic and financial sanctions, which, if properly applied, would bring any nation to its knees.

Britain Beaten?

Air David Lloyd George (Independent Liberal) said that if tho Government was going to Geneva to say it was beaten, that the League had failed, and that it did not proposo further sanctions, there would be an end to the authority of tho League. Air Eden’s predecessor, Sir Samuel Hoare, had the decency to resign when his policy was thrown over. Air Lloyd George said he had been in tho House nearly half a century, and never before had he heard a British Minister holding tho next most important position to tho Prime Afinister say that Britain was beaten. “There will be international anarchy the moment this is known,” he declared. “It is no use Mr Eden saying he is going to Geneva to reconstruct and reform the League. No nation has refused to uphold sanctions, and the ranks ox the League must not bo broken. Air Eden is going to Geneva to break them and to smash tho League. I wish he had left it to somebody' else. Abyssinia has not conquered.”

Geneva Stunned

Received Friday, 7.45 p.m. GENEVA, June IS,

League circles can hardly credit the abandonment of sanctions, regarding this as a surrender of the only possible weapon. They arc amazed that Britain should thus throw up the sponge and wonder how she can now prevent the collapse of the collective security system. IL is emphasised that Italy’s violation of the Covenant and tho position of Ethiopia are still unsettled.

“Sounding the Retreat”

Received Saturday, 2 a.m. CAFE TOWN, June 19. The Cape Times heads its comment “Sounding the lletreat,” and remarks that it is one of the most humiliating declarations that has ever fallen from a British Foreign Secretary. It adds: “How is it possible now to restore the League’s full authority after Britain has taken the lead iu delivering the League the most damaging blow it has ever sustained!”