Britain and European Crisis

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 65, 18 March 1938, Page 7

Britain and European Crisis

Wrong Decision May Cause War Chamberlain’s " Keep Out Policy ” United Press AsEn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. ■* ... LONDON. March lti. The Australian Associated Frees says: “The European situaiion has become immeasurably worse during the past 24 hours. Britain is now confronted with the most momentous issues since the last war, demanding urgent decisions any one of which, if wrong in direction, might plunge the British Empire into war. “The fact that Cabinet has still not devised a policy to meet the new situation, apart from the reaffirmation of Britain's adherence to non-intervention in Spain, reflects the Government's difficulties. “Rumours in the lobbies before the debate suggesting Cabinet differences and the possibility of the Government resigning somewhat exaggerated the position, but it is gathered that definite differences exist. Some members of Cabinet consider that Britain must make a stand without delay with France and other League States. Otherwise, they believe, Germany will overrun Europe. A majority of Cabinet members oppose drastic action and back Mr. Chamberlain's ‘keep-out’ poliev.’’

, The Agency adds: “Apart from the Opposition parties, whose policy is complete and immediate intervention in conjunction with collective action with League States, the feeling in the House, particularly on the Government benches, is of considerable uncertainty. “The situation, which changes from minute to minute, was that to-day Spain, within a few hours, replaced Czechoslovakia as the rocal point of a crisis which, nobody in responsible quarters disguises. is as menacing as 1914. The issue before the British government, which is now one :oncerning the Dominions as ritallv as Britain, can be summed ip thus: 4 “If General Franco’ succeeds, France will be faced with Fascist States on her three frontiers. France, who is appealing for Britain’s co-operation, considers that if this is tolerated it will 'reduce her to impotence.l4 She conceives of her eastern frontier becoming as vital to Britain as to herself. Consequently, the French foresee the Fascist challenge to the British Empire. “Behind the constant consultations in Downing Street with the Dominions lies intense anxiety that the march of international events is heading for disaster. The reason for which the Dominions are being so intimately consulted is that, as it was expressed in one quarter, it is a case in which nobody can be out of step. It is imperative that the fear and apprehension created in Europe shall not be allowed to continue ; otherwise war is inevitable. It is expected that this position will require a declaration of the Dominions’ policies as earlv as possible.”

t Alarm in Paris i, . PROSPECT OF FASCIST POWERS ON THREE FRONTIERS LONDON, March 10. The Star’s diplomatic correspondent says: “France considers s the Spanish issue the paramount 1 factor in Europe’s destiny. She is alarmed at the prospect of a Franco victory. She is considering immediate abandonment of non-intervention and is pouring t arms across the frontier. France’s t views were conveyed to the 3 British Government, but the 1 British Ambassador, Sir Eric Phipps, advised caution and restraint. ' “Reports have reached London from France that guns have already been moved to the frontier, indicating the extreme nervousness of the French General Staff.” ’ Although there is no official confirmation of the Star’s story, the Australian Associated Press diplomatic correspondent under- ’ stands that there is strong ground ’ for the belief that France urgently made representations to f Britain for the immediate abandonment of non-intervention and full support of any French interj vention in Spain to prevent Fas- ! cist Powers from occupying three French frontiers. A Paris message reports: France is alarmed at General I Franco’s advance. The Council of National Defence is considering the situation. A French , cruiser, destroyer and torpedo boat have gone to Barcelona. France has also tightened up her watch on the Spanish frontier and ordered French warships patrolling the Mediterranean to extend to the maximum their survey of the Spanish Morocco coast and Majorca. It is simultaneously announced that the “Government has taken II in dispensable measures for security along the Pyrenees border, which events necessitate.” , Meanwhile, according to a Saragossa message, the Nationalists have been forced to halt their advance to consolidate their j gains. LABOUR URGES ARMS FOR SPAIN 0 PARLIAMENTARY OPPOSITION DEMANDS o LONDON, March 16. Labour members of Parliament, under * 4 the presidency of Mr C. R. Attlee, passed 1 a resolution expressing grave concern at | the situation in Spain as a result of ! intensified Fascist intervention, realising : that the Spanish Government’s and . ! people's constitutional rights are [ threatened and British strategical in- I j ierests gravely imperilled, and calls on 1 , the Government, with France and 1 others willing to co-operate, to make immediately available to the Spanish Government the necessary means for I military defence. ! The Council of the Liberal Party passed a resolution, on the motion of Lord Meston, of detestation of the rape of Austria and urged the Government to place beyond doubt that Britain would render France every assistance to meet her treaty obligations in the event of Czechoslovakia being attacked. The resolution also urged the Government to facilitate supplies of arms to the Spanish Government, in view of the failure of non-intervention. APPEAL FOR FRENCH UNITY ORTHODOX FINANCES Received Thursday, 9.10 p.m. PARIS, March 17. It is understood M. Blum will make an earnest appeal for national unity in the face of the extreme danger although he is expected to affirm the maintenance of the orthodox financial policy.