FOREIGN POLICY OF BRITAIN

Southland Times, Issue 25537, 4 December 1944, Page 5

FOREIGN POLICY OF BRITAIN

FUTURE CONTROL OF GERMANY

(8.0.W.) RUGBY, December 2. Several aspects of British foreign policy were discussed in the House of Commons by the Foreign Secretary, Mr Anthony Eden, when replying to points raised by members. Referring to the future of Germany, he said: “The first factor we have to remember in deciding upon plans and policy for her future is that in the German character the unquestioned authority of the State is what counts, for most Germans belong to the State, the State does not belong to them.”

There was no sign of that in this country, he added. The Germans believed in the destiny of their race to dominate Europe. In the younger generations, particularly in those between 16 and 25, this problem was the most serious of all. Real efforts would have to be made and much time devoted before that feeling could be eradicated from that generation. If it were not eradicated we should be at the mercy, as far as Germany was concerned, of any other Hitler that might come along. BELGIAN SITUATION Speaking of the situation in Belgium, about which he said there had been a great deal of indignation shown and all sorts of rough things said, Mr Eden pointed out that the Government of Belgium was a legal Government, consitutionally appointed and supported by a majority of the duly elected Belgian Chamber. After the collapse of Belgium the Pieriot Government came to England. The legal, and constitutional position of the Prime Minister, M. Pierlot, and his colleagues was absolutely unassailable. When Belgium was liberated they went back. The British Government assisted them to go back and what was wrong about that? Mr Eden then outlined what happened in Belgium leading up to the present position, stating that M. Pier-

lot had the support of all parties except the Communists, his supporters representing an overwhelming majority of the population. “AU I can say,” said Mr Eden, “is that the Government will support a majority which has the support of the country.” SHAMEFUL RECORD Dealing with the ’question of the veto on Count Carlo Sforza’s appointment as Italian Foreign Minister, he said: “Italy is a country with which we recently have been at war and which surrendered unconditionally. Its record under Mussolini in the present struggle was a most shameful one, not only towards us but also towards Abyssinia, Greece and Albania. We are in no sense a vindictive people and we accepted Italy as a co-beUigerent, but she remains a base for the operations of our troops and we are perfectly entitled to express our views about the appointment of any particular statesman in that country. There is no crime in that.” Mr Eden said he felt Count Sforza would not be a particularly happy choice as Foreign Secretary, because on his return to Italy he immediately began to work against Dr Ivanoe Bonomi’s Government, which had given us loyal support.