BRITAIN'S POLICY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 31 March 1923, Page 5

BRITAIN'S POLICY

STRONG DEFENCE BY MR S. BALDIN LONDON, March 28. In the House of Commons, in the debate on the Consolidation Bill, Mr. Asquith regarded the situation as, grave'and disquieting'. He contended, that France received adequate securities against her responsibilities regaling further danger from- Germany. There was no use blinking the fact that the Ruhr invasion would create a new Alsace-Lorraine • for an indefinite term. He hoped the Government would strive its hardest to re-establish the Entente with France. . > Mr Ramsay MacDonald contended that the Government's position of .bene-, volent neutrality .was no position at; all. The, Allies could not get substantial reparations unless ' the economic and political position of i Germany was. changed and an international, loan made possible. Mr Stanley Baldwin, replying, as-j sured the House that the Government, was keeping in touch with the Dpminions on the matter, and would continue to do so- . -. He said that Franco at present, appeared singularly unwilling to accept e.ny kind of intervention, which resulted in presenting a door banged, bolted, and barred against ordinary methods of. approach, which at times, might lead to settlement. The Opposition suggested a reference to the League of Nations, together with many •other methods,, which-><had already been explored. The Government was firmly convinced that hitherto it had pursued the only course Britain ought to take: Britain .had. proserved the confidence, trust, and friend-, ship of our Allies. Ho believed that when the time came, we would, be accepted by Germany as honest negotiators. He saw nothing at present which should induce us to step aside from the path which hitherto had been trodden. ....