BRITISH CABINET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23435, 25 February 1938, Page 9

BRITISH CABINET

MR EDEN'S RESIGNATION ORIGINS OF DISAGREEMENT FULL AND FRANK DEBATE NOTHING GLOSSED OVER (British Official ./ireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Feb. 23. The conflicting views on the issues raised by the resignation of Mr Anthony Eden, which were expressed in the House of Commons, are reflected in newspaper comment. Support for the attitude taken by Mr Eden is confined almost entirely to the Opposition press, but on all sides there is full recognition of the high conviction by which Mr Eden was guided. The Times says British belief in the value of publicity as a political safeguard has been fortified during the past two days. The full and frank debate in which the House of Commons investigated the origins of the disagreement between Mr Eden and his colleagues has now largely restored the sense of proportion. It has been an elementary vindication of the institution of Parliament. Nothing has been glossed, over or hushed up. Criticism is free, and critics will continue to be, heard. But the world has no excuse for misconceiving an event which/means no more at the bottom than that the British Government, while faithful to its friendships and principles, will devote new energy to a thorough test of what may be done by more positive diplomacy for the elimination of the causes of international suspicion and hostility. The conversations with Italy are no rebuff to the League, nor in any sense a disservice to it. VOTE ON - CENSURE MOTION GOVERNMENT SATISFIED LONDON, Feb. 23. The Associated Press says the Government is well satisfied with last night’s vote. The' abstainers did not exceed expectations and Ministerialists to-day„were in a much easier frame of mind. The situation is much more satisfactory in the House, but a long time will have elapsed before the affair has settled down throughout the country. Labour members’ rhetoric and bitterness, coupled with the public’s profound distaste for the manner of Mr Eden’s exit, will inevitably be capitalised throughout the country in a proEden, anti-Government campaign. The next move occurs when Mr Eden speaks in his constituency on February 25, revealing many points he withheld from the debate. It would be most interesting to have the inner history revealed, because his resignation was anything but devoid of subtle political intrigue. THE FOREIGN POLICY LABOUR’S ALLEGATION (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Feb. 23. A manifesto issued after a meeting of the National Council of Labour—the executives of the Labour Party, the Parliamentary Labour Party, and the Trade Union Council —called to consider the resignation of Mr Anthony Eden, challenges the Government to submit to the electorate the change which it alleges has been made in the Government foreign policy. It states that Mr Chamberlain and the majority of the Cabinet have diregarded the pledges upon which the National. Government gained the nation’s confidence at the last general election. It has brought the League Covenant into derision. It has abandoned the principles which hitherto inspired the British people in their international relations. The Government has decided to enter upon negotiations with Italy under conditions which involve the betrayal of the friendship and confidence of democratic nations. The Government refuses to make a stand in defence of international law. The Government’s policy imperils the security of the country and the Commonwealth. The British Labour movement reaffirms its uncompromising opposition to any agreement with cither Fascist Italy or Nazi Germany on the basis indicated by Mr Chamberlain in his statement to Parliament. MANIFESTO ISSUED NO MANDATE FOR CHANGE LONDON, Feb. 23. The Labour Party and the Trade Union Council have issued a manifesto stating that the Government has no mandate for a change in foreign policy and demand a general election. POSITION IN EUROPE DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY LONDON, Feb. 23. The Australian Associated Press g-ys that, with the announcement of Britain’s new foreign policy, pentup diplomatic activity in Europe has been unloosened. The British Cabinet’s session to-day dealt with the forthcoming talks with II Duce. Poland’s Foreign Minister, M. Beck, is at present holding important conversations with General Goering at Warsaw. Herr von Ribbentrop is expected in Rome next week, when the Non-intervention Committee will also resume. The French are expected to confer with the British in the near future, and the AngloGerman talks, which Herr Hitler and Lord Halifax commenced, will resume before the termination of the Rome conversations. It is known that Mr Chamberlain and the Foreign Office have reason to believe that Signor Mussolini is extremely anxious for an agreement with Britain, but details in connection with it are not known, as is customary by the Foreign Office, but were conveyed direct to Mr Chamberlain through an outside informant.

DOUBT IN GERMANY POLITICAL BAROMETER LOW LONDON, Feb. 24. (Received Feb. 25, at 0.45 a.m.) The Times Berlin correspondent savs: “The political barometer was high this morning following Mr Chamberlain’s victory in the House of Commons, but was distinctly lower in the evening, political circles being uncertain whether it really indicates the turning point in British policy as, while Mr Chamberlain won the case for an attempt to reach an understanding with Powers outside the collective system, his own declarations and the temper of his supporters may leave very little freedom to succeed therein.”