BRITAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 23 June 1937, Page 4

BRITAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY

THE British Foreign Secretary has stated that “no change is contemplated in the foreign policy of the United Kingdom Government as the result of the deliberations of the Imperial Conference.” That raises the question, What is the foreign policy of the United Kingdom Government?” It is known that, above all else, that Government desires the maintenance of peace: to that end are directed all its wisdom, energy, and influence. It seeks to be on friendly terms with all other governments of civilised nations, and by promoting trade with them to improve the economic condition of the world as a whole. Of course there are difficulties, created by mistaken men, who fail to realise that good international relations are a strong incentive to international trade, and that international unrest is a great obstacle to international trade. That is one of the reasons why the British Government gives small encouragement to nations whose warlike proclivities keep the peaceful nations in a continual state of perturbation and apprehension; and it is why the British Government has formed a network of pacts and mutual understandings with peaceful nations whose desire is to maintain the status quo, and discourage any nations whose rulers and governments exhibit a tendency to disturb the existing order of things international. Other features there are, which have characterised British foreign policy from time immemorial, and all of them necessitated the maintenance of good relations and a friendly understanding with other peaceloving nations. At the present time there are at least six important nations (all of them situated in the northern half of Europe) with whom Great Britain has established cordial relations in the interests of peace, and her wish is to increase any international tendency there may be to consolidate peace by mutual understanding among the nations. This policy may not be spectacular, but, if it bears the desired fruit, it will substantiate all that the British Foreign Secretary has said and done, and will justify the British Government’s confidence in him.