Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1936 BRITAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 17 December 1936, Page 6

Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1936 BRITAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY

THE latest statement of the British Foreign Secretary will be read with some apprehension in the Dominions, where not a few people regard Britain’s European entanglements with misgiving, while other are accustomed to regard with pride the ameliorative part which the Old Country plays in the affairs of the troubled Continent. Referring to Mr Eden’s Bradford speech, a prominent English journal says, “It expresses a stronger British resolve to participate actively in European affairs, not only in the west, but also east of the Rhine,” which can only mean that if there should be trouble in the parts of Europe, referred to, Britain will be mixed up in it. Of course the British Government’s participation in European affairs is entirely in the interests of peace, and every right-thinking person will hope it will succeed in its praiseworthy endeavours, but it is obvious that if it should fail, and war in Europe should result, it would be very difficult, if not impossible for Britain to avoid being involved in it. But Britain’s primary obligation is to maintain the welfare of the vast Empire which she has created. Her material interests lie principally outside of the European Continent, in the Dominions and Crown Colonies, and many countries of Asia, Africa, and South America, and in innumerable islands in every ocean. But, as history proves, her active participation in the affairs of Europe and her numerous treaties and agreements with European nations, have plunged her into countless wars in the past, and are likely to involve her in the next war which may plunge Europe into strife and misery. Time was when Britain could not wisely refrain from participating in Europe’s wars—as for instance, when Louis XIV and (later) Napoleon threatened to dominate the Continent, and subjugate Britain afterwards. She had no option but to throw in her lot with the nations whose liberty was endangered; and happily she was always able to turn the scale against the tyrant. But to-day her first duty is not to Europe but to her Empire, which fortunately is so great that, if it is thoroughly organised for defence, there is no nation or set of nations, in Europe or anywhere else, which would be so foolhardy as to molest Britain or any part of the Empire. True, she must be fully prepared in a defensive sense: but that end is more likely to be attained by the organisation of the Empire’s powers of protection, than by dependence upon treaties and agreements with foreign nations. Containing approximately one-fifth of the world’s land-surface and about onefifth of the world’s population, the British Empire should be able to protect itself against aggression, without relying upon foreign nations for assistance, the more especially because in return they will certainly demand the Empire’s protection, and consequently will involve it in their troubles.