SIR SAMUEL HQARE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 December 1935, Page 7

SIR SAMUEL HQARE

RESIGNATION ANNOUNCED SEQUEL TO MR EDEN’S SPEECH MAJOR POLITICAL SENSATION (Received 19th December, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, 18th December. Sir Samuel Hoare, Secretary lor Foreign Affairs, has resigned. iSir Samuel Hoare s resignation was announced late in the evening and created a major political sensation, especially as it forestalled what might have been a critical point in his career, namely his speech in the Foreign debate in the House of Commons on the 19th inst., in defence of the peace plan, in which he collaborated with M. Laval. It is believed Sir Samuel Hoare’s intention was brought to a climax by Mr Eden’s speech at Geneva. It is understood Sir Samuel still intends to speak in the House of Commons to-morrow, but it will be a statement from the back benches. The resignation is regarded as smoothing the oath of the Government in the debate, which is now likely to culminate in a substantial majority for the last minute amendment by Lord Winterton to the Labour motion of censure: That this House, holding that any terms for a settling of the ItalpAbyssinia dispute, should be such as the League can accept, assures His Majesty’s Government its full support in pursuing the foreign policy outlined in the Government manifesto, and endorsed by the country at the General Election.

It is understood the amendment was inspired by the Government and will have its full support. The news of Sir Samuel Hoare’s resignation and Mr Baldwin’s acceptance brought a rush of callers to his home at Cadogau Garden. A footman opened the door "a few r inches, and said Sir Samuel Hoare could not see anybody and had no statement to i make. A police oflieer after that was posted at the doorway. Although it was known that Sir Samuel Hoare’s position was difficult, the resignation came as a surprise, and more startling because of the fall of one of the most important members of the Cabinet within a month of the Government’s overwhelming victory at the polls. His own huge majority provides a situation more dramatic than any in recent years.

The news caused a sensation in the House of Commons,..which was engaged in a humdrum debate, and flooded the lobbies with .discussion as to its implications.’ '■< ■ ' ' Gossip writers said Sir Samuel Hoare intended to make to-morrow's debate the occasion of a dramatic resignation from the door of the House. Others said that if the House appeared..reluctant to accept his defence he would then resign before the division. ACT OF SACRIFICE The “Sun-Herald” says Sir Samuel Hoare’s dramatically sudden resignation caught the House unprepared, but the lobbies were filled at 9.30 p.m. when a member of the Cabinet left the Chamber and spread the news. The situation immediately took a turn for the better as far as the Government is concerned because his resignation will enable many hesitant- Conservatives and Simonites now to support the Government. Undoubtedly Sir Samuel Hoare sacrificed himself to save the Government. The real irony is that Sir Samuel knows Signor Mussolini personally. He served in Italy during the war and is courageous and indefatigable. His work in piloting the Government of India Bill through the House of Commons earned him a great reputation. He was afterwards expected to accept a peerage and retire, but Mr Baldwin persuaded him to remain and succeed Sir John Simon at the Foreign Office where, after the famous Geneva speech, he was expected to rank among tho greatest British Foreign Secretaries. BEWILDERMENT AT ROME Sir Samuel Hoare’s resignation was flashed throughout the world and comment reached London in an incredibly short time. It is regarded at Geneva as the sequel to the day’s proceedings and it is expected that M. Laval will follow suit, as he is equally responsible for the plan. Rome received the news with bewilderment, for it thought Mr Baldwin, by adopting the plan, was equally responsible. Therefore it argued that the Government should also resign. The official French spokesman said he never expected this, especially while negotiations were going on. Berlin affected complete detachment, though keen interest is manifested in to-morrow’s debate.