MAY LEAD TO WAR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17958, 9 December 1932, Page 9

MAY LEAD TO WAR

THE NOTE TO PERSIA DISCUSSION IN COMMONS RUSSIAN INFLUENCE (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received Dec. 9, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 8. Discussing the British note, to Persia, Mr. W. Lansbury asked did the last sentence mean that in certain circumstances the Government proposed to take armed measures against Persia. Captain A. Eden: The statement is clear. We bold the Persian Government responsible for the protection of the company’s interests. Mr. Lansbury : Does it mean that in certain circumstances, while the matter is being arbitrated, the Government might feel compelled to take other measures? Captain Eden ; My statement is necessarily hypothetical. The Government can only be guided by circumstances as they arise. Mr. Lansbury appealed to Mr. Baldwin to undertake to inform the House before measures other than arbitration were taken.

Mr. (Baldwin said it was impossible to enter into hypothetical questions. Captain Eden informed Mr. Peter MacDonald that the Persian Government was under a direct treaty to protect the company’s interests. Mr. Lansbury, later, stating that he was dissatisfied witli the Ministerial statements, sought to move the adjournment of the discussion on the subject, as several newspapers had suggested that Russia was behind Persia’s intransigence.

There was loud ironical laughter when Mr. Lansbury, in reading his motion, referred to the Anglo-Russian Oil Company.

Sir Walter Davison: You have let the cat out of the bag now. (Laughter.) The Speaker rejected Mr. Lansbury’s motion on the ground that it did not draw attention to a “definite matter.” Mr. Lansbury: But in the event of some damage to the company’s property, the Government’s statement will permit it to take action which may lead to war.

The Speaker maintained his ruling, and said Mr. Lansbury was suggesting a purely hypothetical situation.