RIFT IN CABINET

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19897, 27 March 1939, Page 5

RIFT IN CABINET

WHITEHALL RUMOURS TALK OP CONSCRIPTION SIR JOHN SIMON OPPOSED OFFICIAL RETICENCE (Elnc. 'f'('). Copyright—United Press Assn,) (Reed. March 27, noon) LONDON, March 26. The French press confidently asserts that the Prime Minister, Mr, Neville Chamberlain, gave the French Foreign Minister, M. Bonnet, definitely to understand that some form ol' conscription would be introduced in Britain soon. Official quarters in Whitehall are reticent, but a section of the British Sunday press asserts that there is a Cabinet split from top to bottom on the question. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Simon, is said to be leading the opposition to the proposal, which is backed by the Minister for the coordination of Defence, Lord Chatfield, the Secretary for Air, Sir Kingsley Wood, and the Secretary for War Mr. I.;. Hdre Belisha. CONTACT WITH FRANCE RUSSIAN INTERVIEW POLISH MINISTER (British OfUcial Wiruloss.) Reed. noon. RUCiBV, March 25, Consultations between the interested Powers on the proposed joint security declarations, are proceeding and, in this connection, much satisfaction is expressed on both sides of the English Channel with the results of the Anglo-French talks during the visit of tiie French President, M. Lebrun, and tiie Foreign Minister, M. Bonnet to London. New precision has been given in their conversations to the relation; between the two countries. The Soviet Ambassador, M. Maisky, has had several interviews 'at the Foreign Office during the past tew days and last night the Polish Minister, M. Radzynski, saw the Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, and further clarified the Polish attitude. Callers at the Foreign Office to-day included the French Ambassador, M. Corbin and Dr. Kordt, German Charge d’Afl'aires. ANTI-BRITISH CAMPAIGN BERLIN PRESS ACTION ‘‘ENTrR (' IjE AIE NT’ ’ FA IL UKE (Reed. March 27, 9 a.m.) LONDON, March 26. An Independent Cable Service message from Berlin states that the antiBritish press campaign is in full swing. German newspapers are jubilant at what is described as the “collapse of British efforts to form an encircling coalition.” The failure is said to be due mainly to military weakness. “The small States know that such a pact, not only does not offer them security, but is a menace to their safety” is a typical comment.