THE DOMINIONS OPPOSE ITALY

Southland Times, Issue 23208, 25 May 1937, Page 7

THE DOMINIONS OPPOSE ITALY

NO RECOGNITION OF CONQUEST MR SAVAGE’S STRONG STAND BRITAIN CHANGES POLICY AT GENEVA (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received May 24, 8.40 p.m.) LONDON, May 23. Britain, as an outcome of the Dominions’ representations at the Imperial Conference, will tentatively abandon her intention of supporting, at the League of Nations Assembly, early recognition of Italy’s conquest of Abyssinia, says the political correspondent of the Australian Associated Press. This was apparently the question over which difficulties arose in the discussions on foreign affairs, necessitating the appointment of a committee of the heads of delegations.

The Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden), it is believed, emphasized that Britain regarded recognition distastefully but perceived some advantages in it. However, the opposition of the Prime Minister of New Zealand (Mr M. J. Savage) and to a-lesser degree the Prime Minister pf South Africa (General J. B. M. Hertzog) culminated in Britain abandoning the initiative. The small committee also dealt with reform of the League Most of the Dominions advocate a universal League, but on a consultative in preference to a coercive basis. It is understood that Mr Savage urged the tightening up of sanctions. The Dominions appear to agree that unless reform Is soon undertaken it will be too late to rescue the League. , The Dominions regard a Western European pact as an important contribution toward pacification and approve Britain’s understanding with France and Belgium for increasing the security of her own frontiers. But they vigorously oppose any British commitment in Central European complications.

The Dominions seem to favour rapproachement with Germany, realizing the alarming deterioration in AngloItalian relations.

DOMINIONS OFFICE NO CHANGE DESIRED (Received May 25, 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, May 24. The Australian ■ Associated Press understands that the Dominion Prime Ministers have informally acquainted the Prime Minister (Mr Stanley Baldwin) and the Prime Minister elect (Mr Neville Chamberlain) of their appreciation of Mr Malcolm MacDonald as Secretary for the Dominions. Their gesture is tantamount to an expression of the hope that Mr Chamberlain, in his reconstruction of Cabinet, will allow Mr MacDonald to remain at the Dominions Office. The Dominion representatives’ hopes are not likely to be disappointed, especially as nobody more than Mr Chamberlain recognizes Mr MacDonald’s special suitability for the portfolio.