NEVER CONDONED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23505, 20 May 1938, Page 9

NEVER CONDONED

THE ITALIAN CONQUEST DECLARATION BY LORD HALIFAX BRITAIN’S POLICY SUMMED UP (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, May 18. (Received May 19. at 7.40 p.m.) "When the choice is between peace and war, I feel that duty impels me in the direction of peace. His Majesty’s Government has never condoned the Italian action, and never will.” This declaration was made by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Lord Halifax) in a debate in the House of Lords on the Government’s foreign policy. He said he fully understood the feeling that had been aroused by anything resembling recognition of the Italian conquest of Abyssinia, but it was necessary to reconcile what was practical with what was possible. Opposition Criticism The debate was initiated by the Leader of the Opposition (Lord Snell), who moved as follows: In the opinion of the House the foreign policy of the Government, which includes acceptance of the sacrifice of Abyssinian independence, and is detrimental to the Democratic Government of Spain, offers no certainty of any compensating gain to the principles of peace and democracy. Later Lord Brocket moved an amendment, approving the Government’s foreign policy, including the Anglo-Italian agreement and nonintervention in Spain. Puppet State Suggested A suggestion that Signor Mussolini might be induced to offer Haile Selassie a limited area of Abyssinia in which he would be granted internal autonomy under the suzerainty of Italy was strongly pressed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. A condition of the offer would be that Haile Selassie would forgo the title of Emperor and undertake to do his utmost to restrain the chiefs from fighting. The House voted out Lord Snell s motion and accepted Lord Brocket s amendment.