MR EDEN’S MOVE OPPOSED

Southland Times, Issue 23781, 31 March 1939, Page 7

MR EDEN’S MOVE OPPOSED

ALL-PARTY REGIME IN BRITAIN PEER URGES RESTORATION OF CZECH FREEDOM (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received March 30, 7 40 p.m.) LONDON, March 30. More than 150 members of the House of Commons have tabled an amendment to Mr R. A. Eden’s motion calling for the formation of an all-party Government. The amendment reads: “The House affirms complete confidence in the Prime Minister and deprecates any attempt at the present critical time to undermine the confidence of the House or of the country in the Prime Minister and the Government.” Two signatories of Mr Eden’s motion have withdrawn. In the House of Lords yesterday, Lord Davies tabled a motion which welcomed the assurances that the Government was considering the desirability of assuming wider mutual obligations to prevent more aggression, and urged the establishment of a financial, economic and military commission by co-operating with other nations to prepare measures for mutual defence and measures for the restoration of Czechoslovakian freedom and independence. The motion also urged the Government to consider the establishment of machinery for the impartial settlement of disputes between States. The Earl of Plymouth, replying for the Government, said it was clear that the restoration of Czechoslovakia could

be effected only by force of arms. Neither Britain nor the other Powers with whom she was consulting harboured any such design. Referring to the proposal to establish machinery for the settlement of disputes, Lord Plymouth said powerful States had even discarded friendly negotiations for the settlement of disputes and had resorted to direct or indirect force. Surely, he said, it was not remotely possible that they would refer their grievances to impartial adjudication. Britain was convinced that no question could not be settled peacefully, if goodwill existed, but she was not prepared to negotiate under the threat of force and did not see any object in establishing machinery for the settlement of disputes while the world lay under the menace of forcible action. UNITY OF PARTIES URGED “SWIFT, RESOLUTE AND UNITED ACTION” (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, March 29. A plea for the closer co-operation of political parties in the face of the menace of the aggressor States was made in a speech by Mr A. Duff Cooper, the former First Lord of the Admiralty. Referring to Signor Mussolini’s speech, Mr Duff Cooper said that had such language been heard 10 years ago it would have provoked horror. The story that Herr Hitler wanted only to unite the Germans in Germany had now been exjx>sed and exploded by himself, with neither excuse nor apology. The time, therefore, had come for resistance. Mr Duff Cooper said he thought that war could still be avoided, but only by swift, resolute and united action. Referring to the need for political unity, Mr Duff Cooper urged that the other parties should be asked to share in the task of the National Government. The sight of all parties rallying under one leader would have a heartening effect throughout the world. He thought it desirable also to form a smaller body within the whole Cabinet to secure rapidity of decision.