Nothing to Apologise For

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 145, 22 June 1936, Page 7

Nothing to Apologise For

Next War Will End Civilisation

BALDWIN ON SANCTIONS RETREAT United Press Association—By Electric Teleuraph.—Copyright. Received Sunday, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, June 21. The British Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Stanley Baldwin, addressing several thousand Unionists at Wishaw, Lanarkshire, declared that the Government thought it right to drop sanctions because they did not believe a continuance, even if all the nations desired it, could he useful or effective. He pointed out that sanctions were introduced in order to stop the war. They were not punitive. “The only way or altering the events which already occurred is to go to war. I do not know of a single country in Europe which is prepared to go to war. I should not vote for such action.’’

hlr. Baldwin then examined tno Labour manifesto against which he quoted various of his own speeches before, during and after the general election for the purpose of proving tnat the Government had not, as Labour alleged, misled the nation by scrapping their pledges. He first denied that the Gov erument wero abandoning tnc -League and then recalled his speecn of last year in which he pointed out that if the League fell short of its friends’ hope their desire would be to strengthen its weak spots. Ho added: “This is exactly what we arc going to do.’-

Ho recalled his reference that sanctions might easily lead to war, adding that it would surely bo the bitterest and cruellest irony in history if the League in attempting to enforce peace in a localised area only set tiro to the world by starting a war which might juu from Pole to Pole.

Referring to oil sanctions, he ernpnasised that they could not be enforced owing to the enormous quantities coming from the United States, which there was no reason to believe would prohibit the exportation. Mr. Baldwin, after further quotations dealing with the necessity of collective security, declared that if the League had remained a League of all nations the present situation would not have arisen because the strength against the aggressor would have made aggression not worth while.

Referring to the Labour manifesto demanding a stoppage of the drift to ■war, Mr. Baldwin said if there was one way of drifting to war it is to talk about applying sanctions and then do nothing to encourage the recruiting of the men necessary to work searchlights and anti-aircraft guns. “If Britain were ever again raided wo would be abused by our opponents, including Mr. Lloyd George, because we scuttled. fThoso words mean nothing less than that we ran away from the Italian navy and that wo rau away from war. Peoplo lightly say that and vote against every aeroplane for tko Air Foreo and every proposal for an extra shell for the Navy. The thing seems too fatuous. There is no limit to such political fatuity.” He added: “We are making an effort despito the talk regarding our loss of prestige to keep Britain from the perils and horrors of modern war in Europe. “We shall try and obtain collective security. If Japan, America and Germany entered tho League it would be workable to-morrow, but a. nation must not underrate the risks. If it will not face danger for the sake of security it must ay so. You cannot have security, collective or otherwise, cheap or secondhand, or any system of limited liability. Nevertheless we must uot surrender the hopo of the nations rejoining the League, also that some form of disarmament may bo practicable.

“Moreover, however perilous the future may be and whatever ambitions are locked up in the breasts of dictators, they must know that another war in Europe would end civilisation and might lead to a revolt of the peoples against their leaders until Europe is in a condition of completely barbarous anarchy.

“I hope one result of the agitation ■the Labourites arc attempting to stir up will bo educative, because I tremble to flunk of the result if wheu they arc iu power they tackle these problems with a lack of knowledge and understanding and the levity which they exhibit to-day in Parliament and elsewhere.

“I have nothing.to apologise for. We arc keeping our course even now and considering how we will take up these matters iu the autumn at Geneva. J await with equanimity and confidence tho result of -ny campaign undertaken to weaken our hands.” Liberal Indignation CONSERVATIVE GROUP TABLES ADVERSE MOTION Received Sunday, 9.20 p.in. LONDON, June 21. Two thousand.delegates to tho Liberal Party convention passed a resolution condemning with a deep sense of humiliation aud indignation the Government’s surrender to the aggressor, and the betrayal of the League, reaffirming loyalty to the League and urging Liberal organisations to rouse the national conscience to the issues at stake. A group of Government supporters leaded 'by Brigadier-General E. U. (Bpears has tabled an amendment to the Labour vote of censure urging the Gov-

ernment not to condone Italian aggression and also to prevent Italy raising credits in Britain as a price for obtaining Italian co-operation in Europe. Britain Preparing’ to Resume Trade With Italy Received Sunday, 9.20 p.m. LONDON, dune 21. The Daily Telegraph's diplomatic correspondent says the British Government are preparing to resume trade with Italy wheu sanctions arc lifted which will probably bo in the middle of July if an agreement is reached at Geneva-this week. The Co-ordination Committee will probably Jix a date for common action for general withdrawal.

Stronger Defences BRITISH FLANS MEDITERRANEAN POSITION LONDON, Juno 19. It is reported in the lobbies that the Government is planning to strengthen the position in the Mediterranean, including the maintenance of the Fleet on a higher level than ijcl'oro the Abyssinian dispute, and a stronger garrison in Egypt. The Government may ultimately consider the provision of further bases.

Not Mr Eden’s Fault .FAILURE OF SANCTIONS ME. DE VALERA’S OPINION , DUBLIN, Juno 19. Speaking iu the Dail Eireanu, President de Valera declared that opponents of tho Government were blaming Britain, especially Mr. Edeu, for the failure of sanctions. “I am ccrtaiu it was not tho fault of Mr. Eden that successful measures were not taken,” ho said. “Unless tho Leaguo is reformed England will uot continue her membership. “Tho Free State certainly will not support military sanctions, even if the League is reformed.” Sanctions Pronouncement OFFICIAL SILENCE IN FRANCE PRESS ASKS “WHAT IS NEXT?’’ PARIS, June 19. There is still a lack of official ■ comment in Paris on Mr Eden’s sanctions pronouncement, but there is a general relief that Mr Eden extricated France from a dilemma. It is suggested that official silence was due to caution and embarrassment rather than to disappointment. The Press mostly asks “What is next.” Pertinax in the “Echo De Paris” ascribes Britain’s change of front as the final realisation of German danger. The Communist paper “Hvunanite,” wants France to take up tho leadership Britain has surrendered, but the “Figaro” in congratulating Britain on her skill in somersaulting at France’s expense, yet tliink3 Britain by her courageous lead in retreat will not only gain reward from Italy, but the respect of all the countries wL'ffi follow her lead and those courageous enough to make up their minds and act accordingly. Lifting of Sanctions ACCEPTED BY FRANCE. PARIS, June 19. The Council of Ministers have decided, on consideration ( of the facts to accept the lifting of sanctions.