NO CHANGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 13 June 1939, Page 5

NO CHANGE

BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY FORCE TO BE MET BY FORCE PLAIN WORDS BY LORD HALIFAX FOREIGN AFFAIRS DEBATE lUntiNb Official Wireleaa) (Received 13th June, 10.15 a.m.) RUGBY, 12th June. Lord Italifu, F /reign Secretary. at the close of the foreign affair* debate in the Houae of Lords, said his speech on Thursday had been subject to numerous conflicting interpretations, as was inevitable. One party stressed one part, another party r.nothcr, but it should be taken as a whole. He thought it was clear, and it would be unprofitable for him to be drawn into explanations or elaborations which would in turn be subjected to the same process of interpretation. Regarding Danzig, Lord Halifax said he could not do better than emphasise Mr Chamberlain’s recent words, “Ou.* assurances to Poland are clear and precise. Although we should be glad to see the differences between Germany and Poland amicably settled by discussion, if an attempt were made to change the situation by force in such a way as to threaten Polish independence that would inevitably start a conflagration in' which this country would be involved." TIIE FAR EAST Turning to the For Esst, Lord Halifax said it had beet) the Government’? duty at home and at Geneva to consider what course of action was incumbent and practicable. Britain had been a party to the passing of resolutions which had gone as far as was practicable at the present time. As to the treatment of British interests by the Japanese, he could assure the House that the Government had not been indifferent. The excuse the Japanese made was that these steps were necessary jn military interests, but the Government was not able to accept those excuses, legarding the right which had been acquired for British nationals under solemn treaties. All these matters had been made the subject of representations, and the Government would continue to make full effort to secure the rights of British subjects to live and trade peacefully in China. Referring to Lieut.-Col. Spear's case, Lord Halifax said that in the absence of more information he could not speak fully on the matter. Lieut.-Col. Spear's journey in China was entirely devoid of any ulterior purpose. Whatever sur>picion the Japanese could have they should not have detained Lieut.-Col. Spear once his identity had been established . Britain was merely told that Lieut.-Col. Spear was being treated well at present, and he had no reason to believe that the matter would not be satisfactorily settled.

TWO THINGS MADE CLEAR Speaking on the debate generally, Lord Halifax said it had been suggested that there had been some changes in British foreign policy. He wished to say there was no change. His speech on Thursday was practically a frank attempt to get the people at home and abroad to face the realities of the situation. There were two things in the British policy be wanted to make plain —firstly, while ma.king no threats and while concealing no ulterior designs Britain wanted to make it quite clear to the world that If force were used those who used it must count upon force being met by force. Secondly, Britain wished to keep clear of that. If there was no attempt or intention to resort to form then the whole influence of Britain, which was not negligible, would rightly be thrown on the side of reaching a fair settlement by negotiation. “I should be well content,” Lord Halifax concluded, “if I thought this debate had had the effect of focussing the attention of all whom it might reach upon the incalculable advantage of exchanging the threatening, dangerous and sinister methods of arbitrary force for efforts by negotiations and a peaceful settlement.”