Chamberlain Denies German Loan

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 174, 26 July 1939, Page 5

Chamberlain Denies German Loan

Will Minister Responsible Resign ? ONLY EXPRESSING PERSONAL VIEW United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, July 25. Statements denying that it was the Government’s intention to initiate discussions for such a loan to Germany were made in Parliament by the Foreign Minister, Lord Halifax, and the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain. Lord Halifax said: “There is no justification fpr stating or assuming that these remarks constitute a proposal for a loan by Britain to Germany. ’ ’ It is understood in the lobbies that there is no question of Mr. Hudson resigning. An Independent Cable Service message says that Mr. Chamberlain has summoned a special meeting pf Ministers for the morning at which it is understood the Hudson affair will be discussed. Mr. Hudson said: “If I resign, I shall tell all before the House of Commons.”

Lord Halifax, in a statement in the House of Lords concerning Press reports about Herr Wohlthat’s visit to London, said that Mr Hudson had reported to himself as Foreign Minister that the conversation with Herr Wohlthat had turned to steps that might be taken to produce improvements in the foreign trade of the principal manufacturing countries. Mr Hudson pointed out that ■a solution of the political question was a necessary preliminarj'—by which he meant restoration of international confidence—and discussed what might be done to remove existing barriers to the development of international trade, including barter agreements, exchange restrictions, import quotas, and so on. The discussion, Lord Halifax added, had led to the financial steps that might* have to be taken to overcome the. Initial difficulties.

Mr Hudson, who emphasised that he was only expressing his personal view, said that, assuming international confidence had been restored, there should be scope for co-operation on this matter on the part of the principal countries concerned.

Lord Halifax concluded: "There is no justification for stating or assuming that these remarks constitute a proposal for a loan by Britain to Germany.”

Mr Chamberlain made g similar statement in the House of Commons.

Replying to a question by Mr A. Greenwood, deputy-leader of the Opposition, Mr Chamberlain said that Cabinet knew nothing about these con-\-ersations; nor did any other Ministei other than the Minister concerned. It was not the intention of the Government to initiate any discussion of the kind.