CONTRIBUTION TO PEACE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23648, 4 November 1938, Page 11

CONTRIBUTION TO PEACE

ANGLO-ITALIAN AGREEMENT IMPROVEMENT IN RELATIONS HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Nov. 2. Mr Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, moving ‘‘that the House welcomes Britain’s intention to bring the Anglo-Italian agreement into force,” recalled his observation yesterday on the joint declaration with Herr Hitler at Munich that if it were suitably followed up it might well be found to contain the seed of a new era of confidence and peace in Europe. Since the date of the Anglo-Italian agreement there had been no differences between Italy and Britain, but it was clear that if the improvement in relations which followed the conclusion of the agreement were to be maintained delay in putting it into force —already over sis: months —could not be indefinitely prolonged. ■

POSITION IN SPAIN

FOREIGN VOLUNTEERS PLAN FOR WITHDRAWAL ACCEPTANCE BY POWERS '*■ % (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Nov. 2. The issue before the House, said Mr Chamberlain, was not the agreement itself, which had already been approved by a large majority, but whether the plreliminarv conditions which he laid down as essential before it could come into, force had ppw been fulfilled. In making the conditions he had itated that Britain’s recognition of Italian sovereignty in Ethiopia would be morally justified if Britain could feel it would constitute an important step towards general appeasement in Europe, but the Government must be able to consider that the Spanish question had been settled, and bn July 26. in reply to an interjection by Mi Attlee, he had Said: “If Britain thinks Spain has ceased to be a menace to the peace of Europe I think we shall regard that as a settlement of the Spanish question. “ Since then the British plan for the .withdrawal of volunteers had been accepted by the Powers on ' the "Non-intervention Committee, and the Spanish Government had announced at Geneva its intention to withdraw the international brigade. Moreover, at Munich Signer Mussolini had volunteered the information that he intended to withdraw 10,000 men from Spain These had now beer withdrawn. It was true that Italian pilots and aircraft and other material remained in Spain, but Britain had received from Signor Mussolini assurances— First, that the remaining Italian forces of all categories would be withdrawn under the Nonintervention Committcis’s plan when it came into operation; Secondly, no further Italian troops would he sent to Spain; and, thirdly, that Italy never for a moment enterfamed the idea of sending a compensatory air force to Soain in place of the infantry forces withdrawn, Italy’s Good Intentions “ These three assurances, in conjunction with the actual withdrawal of this large body of men, in my judgment,” said Mr Chamberlain, “ constitute a substantia] earnest of the good intentions of Italy, and form a considerable contribution to the elimination of the Spanish question as a menace to peace; but they are not the only considerations weighing with Britain. .When I was at Munich I spoke on the future of Spain with both Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini, and both of them assured me most definitely that they had no territorial ambitions whatever in Spain. “ In my mind, it is perfectly clear that the Spanish question is no longer a menace to the peace of Europe, and consequently there is no valid reason why we should not now take the step which obviously would contribute to general appeasement.” f The Prime Minister then made the point that if any justification was required for a policy of agreement with Italy, it could be found in the action of' Signor Mussolini, when, at Mr. Chamberlain’s request, he used hiS influence with Herr Hitler before Munich. By that act of Signor Mussolini the peace of Europe W’as saved, and it could not be supposed that he would have responded to Mr Chamberlain’s request if the British relations with Italy had remained what they were 18 months ago.

Regarding the recognition of Urban sovereignty in Ethiopia the P-ime Minister stated that new credentials would be issued to Lord Perth on lines similar to those which the French Government intended to gh r e to its new Ambassador in Rome.

The French Government had seated that it welcomed the British Government’s intentions, as it welcomed generally anything which could contribute to.an improvement of Anglo-Italian relations. In conclusion, Mr Chamberlain read two messages received from the heads of the Commonwealth and Union Governments. Mr Lyons said the Australian Government was convinced that the Anglo-Italian agreement should be brought into operation forthwith as a contribution to peace, and de jure recognition be accorded to the Italian conquest of AWssinia. The withdrawal of 10.000 Italian troops from Spain seemed to be a real contribution, and in the Government’s opinion a peaceful and friendly Mediterranean was essential in the present condition of the world. To refuse de jure recognition would seem to ignore facts and to risk danger over a matter which was now immaterial.

General Hertzog’s message said he felt that the step was wise and necessary, and would materially contribute to appeasement in Europe. “It will be observed,” said Mr Chamberlain, “how both Mr Lyons and General Hertzog have gone to what I think it the root of the matter and recognised that in the action which Britain is proposing to take she is not concerned solely with relations between Britain and Italy The step we are taking must be re garded as a step in the policy of appeasement which I have described on so many occasions.” THE MOTION CARRIED A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY LONDON, Nov. 2. The Government motion was carried by 345 votes to 138. NEW ZEALAND AND CANADA NO EXPRESSION OF OPINION LONDON, Nov. 2. In the House of Commons debate on the Anglo-Italian agreement, the Rev. Campbell Stephen (1.L.P.) asked if there was any message from New Zealand. Mr Chamberlain: No! Nothing either way. , , Mr Stephen: Or Canada? Mr Chamberlain: No. He added that if the House approved the motion the prospects of peace would be generally improved. “ Let us end any idea that, we desire to keep any State at arm’s length.” Mr Greenwood said his information was that the Abyssinian war was by no means over. Signor Mussolini could not be Regarded as its effective master. The price of the agreement would be paid by the people of Spain. Helpless women and children might, be bombed, British lives and shipping endangered,. the great British trade route interests threatened,. and the intergrity of the Empire endangered so long as Mr Chamberlain retained .the friendship of a tottering dictator. MR CHAMBERLAIN’S SPEECH '■ GERMAN PRESS COMMENT BERLIN, Nov. 2. General satisfaction is expressed in the newspapers over Mr Chamberlain’s, speech. The Voelkischer Beobachter says: “Mr Chamberlain has closed the Versailles epoch from English history and opened a new chapter The real importance from the speech is not justification of the policy which led to the signing of the Munich agreement, but the attempt to create a hypothesis for new European cooperation based on the Munich agreement. FRENCH PRESS COMMENT ADVERSE CRITICISM PARIS, Nov. 2. The newspapers generally adversely criticise Mr House of Commons speech, and it is suggested that he is intimidated by Germany’s strength. REACTION IN ITALY GREAT SATISFACTION ROME, Nov. 2. Mr Chamberlain’s announcement of che implementation of the AngloItalian agreement has given the greatest satisfaction.