BRITISH PREMIER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22975, 1 March 1938, Page 11

BRITISH PREMIER

POLICY RESENTED "SURRENDER TO THREATS" MEETINGS IN LONDON By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, Feb. 27 Three meetings held in Trafalgar Square to-day attracted 10,000 people, who marched to the Italian Embassy, accompanied by bands, singing "The Internationale" and shouting, "Chamberlain must go." The police permitted two men to approach the Embassy with a letter to Signor Mussolini, conveying a resolution disapproving of Mr. Chamberlain's "surrender to Italian threats," and condemning Italian intervention in Spain. The letter was pushed under the door because the door-bell was not answered. -Another resolution demanded the Government's resignation. A crowd of 2000 people attended a demonstration in Hyde Park organised by the Co-operative Society. The meeting passed a resolution protesting i against Mr. Chamberlain's foreign policy and demanding a general election. A member of the House of Commons, Mr. A. Barnes (La')our —South-East Ham), said that Lady Austen Chamberlain had superseded the British Ambassador in Borne. A thousand signatures are being attached each day to , the Council of Action's "Recall Eden" manifesto. FRANCE AND BRITAIN CLOSE CO-OPERATION EYES ON ITALY'S MOVES LONDON, Feb. 20 Through thick and thin, France and Britain will stick together on Mediterranean policy. A Whitehall official said to a representative of the SunHerald news service to-day that there seems to be no risk of that division which broke sanctions down and let Italy get away with Ethiopia. The knowledge of this close coordination largely explains Italy's disposition to make an approach. France and Britain are working together by land as well as by sea, regarding Spain, and if Italy tried to send large reinforcements to General Franco, strong French and British action could be expected France and Britain are also working together on the stirring up of trouble in Moslem countries. A small instance is given by France's hint to the Grand Mufti, a fugitive from Palestine, that he must cease his agitation while in Syria. Further, while Britain is strengthening her position at the Suez Canal, Aden and Cyprus, France is acting in concert in North Africa, and the British are using Algerian air and naval bases for their anti-piracj' patrol. The Financial News states that four of the Big Five banks, and several leading merchant and banking firms, are prepared to consider granting new credits to Italy, if and when the political risk is removed.

It is not suggested that, immediately Italy signed a "scrap of paper," money would be placed at her disposal. Italy's exchange difficulties are largely the result of her aggressive foreign policy, hugo expenditure on armaments, colonial and political campaigns, and anti-British propaganda. These keep the political risks at a maximum. Once Italy adopted a sensible foreign policy she would gradually become credit-worthy. "AN UNWORTHY ACT" MR.. EDEN'S REPLACEMENT LONDON, Feb. 27 The Leader of the Labour Opposition in the House of Commons, Mr. C. R. Attlee, speaking at Gosport, endorsed Mr. Eden's action in upholding the sanctity of international law. He added that it was unworthy of England to throw Mr. Eden over at the demand of a foreign Power.