FOREIGN POLICY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 7 March 1925, Page 5

FOREIGN POLICY

GERMANY’S OVERTURES

WELCOMED BY MR CHAMBERLAIN

EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AMONG

ALLIES NEEDED

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright,.) (Reuter’s Telegrams.)

LONDON, March 5.

In the House of Commons, Mr Chamberlain, continuing his speech on England’s foreign policy emphasised that he did not desire to conceal anything in the Commission's report and provided for - publication, but the question of publication depended upon the Allies’ concurrence. While- lie- was not sure, that publication in mass of small defaults, without- discrimination, was likely to conduce to the- object in view he pointed out that the occupation of Cologne cannot- bo continued, except in pursuance of the clear purposes ot me provisions of the Treaty. Adverting to the question of security which he described as of immense overwhelming importance, Mr Chamberlain declared that the dominant element in Europe to-day was the all pervading sense of insecurity. “No real progress can he '.made until we have relieved the oppressive fears haunting the waking and sleeping thoughts of statesmen in many countries.”

Turning to Mr Fisher’s suggestion that Germany made proposals to the Allies. Mr Chamberlain stated that the first knowledge of this was a communication which reached him as a most confidential secret a few weeks back. He immedaitcly said he, could not receive such communications under the implied pledge that he was not to- speak of them to the Allies.

The Minister was constantly interrupted by whispered remarks by Mr Kirkwood, who at length shouted, “What- about the ‘Bed Letter’ ”, when Mr Charnberalin was referring to the secret document lie received from Germane.

The Chairman of Committees threatened the suspension of Mr Kirkwood if iie did not retrain from interrupting. Mr Kirkwood rose and shouted at the chairman, who ordered him to leave the Chamber.

Mr Kirkwood refused and was “named” and the Speaker was summoned.

Mr Chamberlain then moved the suspension of Mr Kirkwood, which was carried after Mi’ MacDonald had unsuccessfully interceded, contending that Mr Kirkwood had not been given his proper rights. The Speaker asked Mr Kirkwood to leave, whereupon the Labourite rose in a body and marched out, headed by Mr MacDonald amidst Ministerial laughter and cheers.

Mr Chamberlain then resumed nis speech. He said the fact that it was thought necessary to impose secrecy made him a little' suspicious of the spirit in which the proposals were made, but the German Ambassador assured him that Germany• always intended to communicate similarly with Paris, Brussels and Rome, and that now this had been done Mr Chamberlain said he welcomed the new move by the German Government, and now that they had substantially repealed the proposals to the other Allies he attached great importance thereto. It was obviously not desirable, at this stage to enter into public details.

The Minister added that an exchange of views among the Allies up to the present had been of the slightest and fuller exchange of . views with closer exatfiinjition of the purport and possibilities of the proposals was necessary before anything could he usefully safely added on the subject. Mr Fisher asked whether the newspaper reports roughly represented the proposal. Mr Chamberlain said he preferred not to give appreciation of such important proposals which might possibly he the starting point of a real recovery of the European situation. If our help was required to effect such consummation, the help and also the goodwill of this country would not be Jacking. He had not yet formed an idea as to the form air co-operation should take. Mr Chamberlain referred, to past ef forts to withdraw from Continental entanglements, “but we are living only 20 miles from the shores of the Continent. We cannot remain indifferent to the peace and security of the Continental world, nor can w'e remain callous and deaf to the appeal for help. It is not m a selfish, short-sighted spirit of isolation that we shall exercise our mission and influence in the world.

Now that- we speak in consultation with free, self-governing dominions,” Mr Ch'aimberlain concluded, ‘‘our greatness and power to* help remove from the minds of men the trouble which still haunts them and recalls the agonies of a few yeai’s ago arc great, and there is a call to endeavour, effort and service-on the part of the British Empire. I betlio Empire will gladly respond.” Sir A. Morrison Bell (Conservative Homton) urged the Government to study jealously any agreement that put the "British naval or other forces in pawn. The Et. Hon. Walter RuncLman (Liberal Swansea) pressed Mi* Chamberlain to state his views on the protocol and expressed regret that Britain bad tied her hands by undertaking support of the preaippointment of the present French chairman of the .Saar Commission.

Mr Chamberlain, winding up the debate, denied that the Saar could be described as the danger spot of Europe, although he was not prepared to defend all that went on in the Saar administration.

Regarding the protocol, Mr Chamberlain said that three months’ deliberations had only just reached, a stage where a- statement could possibly he made. He was still uncertain in what form the Government decision would best he conveyed, but he expected to he called on to make the announcement at the next League meeting. He was averse to encouraging the signature of international documents of fundamental "importance with a string of separate discordant reservations by many signa tory powers. It is sometimes necessary to sign, with reservations, hut it is dan. gerous to base the charter of world peace on documents with reservations. All tlie indications he was aide to obtain about the state of public opinion in other countries which had signed or contemplated signing the protocol, led him to the conclusion that if Britain signed to-morrow without amendment, vre should not have settled the question of security. Nevertheless lie emphasised the British desire for arbitration and disarmament.

Apropos of occupation, Mr Chamberlain denied that we were surrendering the rights of private judgment by conferring with the Allies, where it was better and more loyal to confer. ‘‘Suppose we walk out of m order that somebody else, not the Germans, ,may walk in? Would that advance the agreement with Germany cr -better the atmosphere which the liberals desired? Here was a case necessitating agreement hut in default of an agreement, Britain reserved, the- right to take any action she thought fit . or ex-

pedient in accordance with the circum stances.

Mr Chamberlain said he was unable to state whether the Allies would agree to the meeting With Germany, but speaking for himself he wanted any course giving the best hope, not- of prolonging the contests, but m getting satisfaction and bringim: occupation to an end. LONDON, March S.

Sir Edward Grigg (Liberal Oldham) recalled the original pact- with France, although ratified by Australia .aid New Zealand, was not rot died by Canada and South Africa. He declared that was a serious consideration, but a new form of guarantee would probably commend itself more to the dominions, while as regards South Africa it- must, be vcmo;nbered that Holland was at present as much interested in a guarantee ior these eastern frontiers as any other power. Sir John Simon objected to security being linked up with occupation, and said that unless Germany seriously violated the Treaty we were in Cologne without authority.

The Labourites did not refurn to the House of Commons during the foreign debate, but met and resolved that while deprecating persistent, obstruction of business, there was no justification for the peremptory and" arbitrary action of the lit. H .on. James Hope (the- chairman of the Committees) in naming Mr Kirkwood for slight- interruptions, which were in nowise provocative or disorderly. The executive subsequently decided to lodge- a motion to tile effect that the Hon James Hope acted with undue haste and impatience and that therefore the naming of Mr Kirkwood was unwarranted. Mr MacDonald to-morrow will ask the Government for an opportunity t-o discuss the motion, which no doubt will be granted immediately.

LONDON, March 6

Mr Chamberlain’s speech on the eve of his departure for Paris was given prominence in the newspapers. The references to Germany are regarded as most important. There is, as yet, little editorial comment, hut the Morning Post referring to Poland emphasises the point that "we do not. want to see a pact in the west followed by partition in the East.”

Parliamentary correspondents point out that a definite outline of any British solution of the security problem, if existing, is still not forthcoming. The Daily Chronicle says Britain has turned down two security schemes and lias thus assumed the responsibility for stating an alternative.

MR CHAMBERLAIN EN ROUTE TO GENEVA

LONDON, March 6.

Mr Chamberlain, en route to Geneva, departed for Paris, where he will meetM. Herriot.