COMMONS CROWDED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 21 March 1936, Page 5

COMMONS CROWDED

WHEN MR EDEN MAKES STATEMENT

PROPOSED BRITISH AND ITALIAN ASSURANCES

CONTAINED IN Wmi’E PAPER (British Official Wireless) 'Received 21st March, 1.30 p.m.) RUGBT, 20th March. Foreign statesmen and Ambassadors were present in the Distinguished Strangers’ Gallery in (lie House of Commons when (lie Foreign Secretary. Air Anthony Eden, rose in a crowded House this afternoon to make a statement on the agreement which had been reached between the representatives of France, Belgium, Italy and the United Kingdom oil the proposals for submission to their respective Governments. The annex of the White Paper contains the proposed assurances which the British and Italian Governments would give to Belgium and France in the event of failure of the effort of conciliation provided for in tile preceding sections of the document. These provide, first, for consultation on the new situation; secondly, for assistance in accordance with the Treaty of Locarno in respect of any measures which shall be jointly decided upon; thirdly, lhe taking of measures for ensuring security against unprovoked aggression in return for reciprocal assurances ; fourthly, the establishment of and the continuation of contact between the general staffs; and fifthly, co-operation at tiie League Council to secure the formulation of all useful recommendations for the maintenance of peace and respect for international law.

LINKED UP WITH LEAGUE

THE DRAFT PROPOSALS BRITISH PRESS WELCOMES PROSPECTS FOR PEACE (Received 21st March, 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY’, 20th March. The British press, which warmly welcomes tile hopeful prospects for peace which it is believed agreement among the Locarno Powers opens up, emphasises that tlie interim period will demand contributions from. all.parties. They are convinced that the document will show conclusively that Britain, France and Belgium are ready to collaborate in this respect. Mr Anthony Eden had a long conversation with Herr von Rib.bentrop last evening and outlined to him the scope of the draft proposals. Shortly after midnight when the final text was available it was immediately communicated to the German delegation. ihe noteworthy feature of the arrangements is that they are at every stao-e linked up with tlie League of Natioiis, and it- is assumed that the conference itself will be called bv the League. The inree resolutions included in the text of the agreement are to be submitted for acceptance by the League Council. The hist concerns the sanctity of treaties; toe second the desire for submission by the Council of the dispute to Tlie Hague, :l ’7, asks tlie Council to take note ol the draft proposals of the four Powers.

LEAGUE COUNCIL ADJOURNS

DISCUSSIONS NEXT WEEK (Received 21st March. 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, 20th March. Ihe League Council met to-day when the text of the four-Power proposal? was read. The Council adjourned after some discussion till Monday. The German representative was present. It is expected that at Monday’s meeting the representatives of the Locarno Powers will be in a position to give fuller explanation of the various aspects of the proposals. In League ciicles it is suggested that discussion may well extend over several sessions next week.

NO FAITH IN LEAGUE

OPINION OF GENERAL (United Press Association—By Electric lelegraph—Copyright) (Received 21st March, 2.0 p.m.) . CALGARY, 20th March. I have no faith in the League,” states General Sir Edmond Ironsides, who is en loute to England from India where he was Quartermaster-General. “Tlie withdrawal of some big Powers from the League has left Britain with a group of .yapping little countries.”