British Conservatives And Foreign Policy

Southland Times, Issue 23512, 19 May 1938, Page 4

British Conservatives And Foreign Policy

The changes announced yesterday in the British Cabinet are likely to be followed by a general increase in administrative efficiency, and there is reason to believe that the air expansion programme will benefit from the supervision of Sir Kingsley Wood, who has already proved his/organizing ability in other departments. It is less certain, however, that the adjustments in personnel will have removed the intra-party difficulties which have been steadily growing since the resignation of Mr Eden. What could be described as ,a left-wing Conservative group is now clearly defined; and although, in the present instance as well as during the crisis over Austria, these members finally rallied to the support of the Government they are none the less a new and unpredictable element in British politics. To a certain extent they represent a division of opinion "which has been caused in Britain by the Government’s policy in foreign affairs. Mr Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement has been carried a first and important stage by the signing of the Anglo-Italian agreement, but it has been followed rather too quickly by Signor Mussolini’s provocative speech at Genoa. Although this speech simply reaffirmed the strength of the Rome-Berlin axis, it was cast in terms which indicated that fascist solidarity is being visualized as a military alliance in a possible European war. Germany’s increasing interest in Czechoslovakia threatens to create a situation which might lead to war; and if the Nazis insist on a continued use of force in settling their political disputes the prospects of a four-Power pact are obviously negligible. These matters are causing anxious thought in British political circles and have already been reflected in the results of recent by-elections, which have given proof of uneasiness in the electorates. If Mr Chamberlain had not acted promptly the air programme allegations might have given an impetus to disaffection strong enough to lead to a new alignment of parties. For the present the danger seems to be over. The Conservative Party is fortunate in the number of its members who could be described as men of intellectual quality, and by making sure that the key positions are in the right hands the Prime Minister may be able to keep his parliamentary majority intact. It must be admitted, however, that the differences are still incipient, and that a new development in Central Europe might easily provoke a political crisis in Britain. Much will depend on the nature of the problems now looming in foreign affairs, and on the Government’s methods in dealing with them.