Prime Minister Severely Criticised

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 45, 23 February 1938, Page 5

Prime Minister Severely Criticised

Mr. Eden Thrown To the Wolves LABOUR CENSURE MOTION United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Tuesday, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 21. The House of Commons was so crowded on assembling that many had to sit in the gallery. Mr. Winston Churchill and fur. Lloyd George were present. The latter, who was cheered, had specially returned from the Bouth of France to join in the attack on Mr. Chamberlain. When Mr. Chamberlain entered later, there were cheers from the Ministerial benches and some booing from the Opposition. Air. Eden and Lord Cranborne took their seats amid tremendous cheering, which drowned the voices ot‘ Ministers answering questions. In the debate, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. C. R. Attlee, said that Mr. Chamberlain’s speech revealed that two Foreign Offices had been operating. “I sympathise with Mr. Eden, who suffered from apparently extremely amateur methods,” he added. “Mr. Eden has now been thrown to the wolves in an affair unparalleled in. English history. It is curious that when foreigners were continually attacking the Foreign Minister, his colleagues have not supported him. Mr. Attlee added; “Signor Mussolini is a bankrupt dictator living on tick, with increasing home difficulties. The Spanish war is not successful and Abyssinia is unsettled. Moreover, the RomsBerlin axis is uneasy. Hitler jumped into Austria. It is just at this juncture that Mr. Chamberlain goes whining, cap in hand, asking for an agreement without condition. I am amazed at this surrender of the greatest world Power to the weakest dictator and the lecognition of aggression, which wili damage British prestige everywhere, including Palestine and Arabia, and seriously affect the United states and produce grave repercussions in the Dominions and Britain, where thousands hoped for a peace policy.

Sir Archibald Sinclair said that Mr. Eden, who was regarded m all British schools of thought as the champion of democracy, law and peace, had been hampered by colleagues when ihe wrong turn might be fatal. Mr. L. C. S. Amery said that he considered the effort for better relations between England and Italy was wise and just, and he strongly supported the Government’s policy. Other back bench Conservatives spoke in the same sense. Mr. Harold Nicholson, a National Labour supporter of the Government, and Major Hills, Conservative, considered that Mr. Eden had been right and expressed concern at the Cabinet decision. Labour speakers attacked the Government for the betrayal of a principle.

Mr. S. S. de Chair, Conservative, believed Mr. Eden’s resignation would create a different and better atmosphere in Europe. Mr. G. Mander, Liberal, said that the joy in certain foreign countries at the resignation was a most humiliating thing for Britain. The Government had lost their greatest political asset. Mr. P. U. Emrys-Evans, Conservative, criticised Lord Halilk.x’s mission to Berlin as a hurried, ill-thought-out and unprepared effort, which had weakened the country’s position in Europe. Labour members tabled the following vote of censure: “The House deplores the circumstances in which Mr. Eden has been obliged to resign and has no confidence in the Government,” which Mr. Arthur Greewood will move on Tuesday. Mr. Grenfell, winding up tEe debate for Labour, declared that the most jarring note was the intense delight the situation gave Mussolini, who was victorious by his Fascist tactics.

Mr. Chamberlain, in reply, said that Mr. Grenfell’s speech misrepresented the attitude of the Government, which was only proposing conversations to Italy. “Moreover, if there is an agreement, it will not be on the terms the other country imposes, but must be acceptable to us,” he said, “and at least include the things I named. AVe want a settlement in Spain by Spanish nationals free from foreign interference. ” The debate was adjourned. Simonite Liberals, after a meeting,, unanimously supported Mr.-Chamber- 1 lain. NO COMMENT POLICY IN U.S. MR. HULL NERVOUS WITH REPORTERS Received Tuesday, 6.30 p.m. NEW YORK, Feb. 21. The New York Times’ Washington correspondent says that, while a dozen high officials of the State Department spent the day reading and evaluating reports of the exciting week-end in London and Berlin, Mr. Hull laid down a no comment stipulation, extending even to the exchange of private opinions between aides and outsiders.

Congress advocates of isolation cited the developments to support the contention that the United States should keep her hands entirely out of European affairs. Senator Borah is hopeful insofar as the outlook for peace is concerned. He expressed the opinion that Herr Hitler ’s demands will not lead to war and that Germany will regain her colonies to which he believes she is entitled. Mr. Hull had the usual conference with the Press, but he was obviously nervous lest even a disinclination to comment on the situation might lead to speculative reports to the Press. He was not yet in a position either to comment or decline comment on Herr Hitler or Mr. Eden.

Thus this is, perhaps, the only major capital in the world failing to indicate its official reactions.