MR BALDWIN ATTACKED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 2 July 1936, Page 6

MR BALDWIN ATTACKED

A MESSAGE from Paris, dated 29th June, said that “influential circles in Rome believe that British power is declining, and point to events in Palestine, the Japanese menace to Australia, and the Nazification of East (?South-West) Africa.” Simultaneously there is in England something like an insurrection in the ranks of the Conservative Party against the leadership of Mr Baldwin, the Prime Minister. Putting two and two together, it seems that in the British Conservative Party there is feeling that the Government’s foreign policy has been so lacking in force and direction that the Arabs have defied British authority in Palestine, that the Japanese have developed sinister designs on the Commonwealth, and that the Germans. in South-West Africa have been encouraged to embark on a policy of re-union with Germany. But would it be fair to imagine that these developments are attributable to lack of foresight and leadership of the British Prime Minister? The situation in Palestine has arisen directly through the Arabs’ antagonism to the League’s decision to create a Jewish Home in the Holy Land. The Japanese policy of territorial expansion emanates from the Mikado and the military and naval leaders of the nation, supported by a strong section of the politicians. As for the Germans of South-West Africa, the British Government is not responsible for the mandate over that territory. That is the duty of the South African Government, and the problem may safely be left with Generals Hertzog and Smuts, who are well able to solve it. It does not seem just for members of his party to blame Mr Baldwin with difficulties arising from the matters referred to. . Nevertheless it is clear that at the present time Britain’s foi-eign policy needs to be clear-cut and firm, if the Empire is to escape many difficulties and trials which loom ahead of it, and threaten to bar its progress.