FOREIGN RELATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1924, Page 7

FOREIGN RELATIONS.

POLICY OF BRITAIN.

EGYPT AND THE SOVIET.

GOVERNMENTS ATTITUDE. CONFIDENCE IN LEAGUE. Af Telegraph.—Press Received Dec. 17, 7.45 p.m. London, Dec. 15. In the House of Commons the debate on the Address-in-Reply was resumed by Mr. C. P. Trevelyan (labour) who attacked the Government's policy towards Egypt and Russia. He asked whether Egypt was now really independent. and what the Government proposed to do with regard to Russia, with Which country other countries were now making commercial agreements. Air- Austen Chamberlain {Minister foi Foreign Affairs) said his conversations with M. Herriot (Premier of France), and Signor Mussolini (Premier • ct Italy) had been conducted in the tine ‘spirit of the League of Nations, establishing mutual relations of- trust • and .confidence. He emphasised the fact " that the conversations had come as Hose to an agreement as possible, but never at the expense of those who were not there. He had heard much of the foieign viewpoint regarding the Geneva disarmament protocol, but for himself he was unable to express any opinion on the protocol on behalf of the Government, because the first Cabinet meeting to consider it was only held on the day of his departure. Mr. Chamberlain *-xud that inter-Allied debts were not discussed. It was not pretended That the conversations had decided great issues. They had-not sought to make any new treaties or come ’ to fresh decisions, but they had eliminated some small matters, which would have been points of friction ~ if they had rtot reached an agreement to recognise the largeness of . tbpir common interests., throughout the world, and to resolve each to do his best * to, prevent the small differences which must arise occasionally from impeding . their co-operation in greater common interests. FRIENDLY TOWARDS EGYPT. ; Referring to Mr. Trevelyan’s speech, Mr. Chamberlain said he had to come to the House of Commons to hear a really anti-British declaration. He had received from foreign statesmen many congratulations on the British attitude in the Egyptian crisis. Mr. Chamberlain mid that in the Sudan Britain must have authority to fulfil her obligations, but in Egypt all Britain desired was , that the Egyptian Government should <lo its duty. .If they were willing to do that, tlien they would find no better firmer or more loyal friends than the British the British people. (Ministerial cheers.) “The Government does not desire to interfere with the independence of Egypt, ” continued Air. Chamberlain, “but we require that the Egyptian Government should work with and not against _ us. and accept loyally and frankly as the basis of independence the conditions attached to its grant. If we had to deal with a friendly Egyptian Government, loyal to the conditions - upon which our co-operation was based, wp ’would invite them to join in an inquiry as to what water is available for the Sudan after making full allowance for Egyptian requirements, and would propose a neutral chairman for a commission, upon which Egypt and the Sudan .would be represented.” LABOUR AMENDMENT LOST. Mr. Chamberlain d*d not think that the Egyptian question in its present stage could come before the League of Nations. He pointed out all the effects that would ensue in the Sudan from the suggested application to the League for a mandate for administration.

The Minister mentioned the Zinovieff letter, the authenticity of which was confirmed by four entirely trustworthy sources. He did not think it’ opportune to resume negotiations with the Soviet at present. Mr. . Chamberlain said there would never be an opportunity of getting the original Zinovieff letter. It was received and destroyed by the Communist body here. Mr. Chamlierlain added that, coming fresh from the meetings of the League Council, he could voice strong confidence in the future of the League. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald (Leader _of the Labour Party) pressed the Government to afford members of the House an opportunity to discuss the protocol lafore consultation with the Dominions, and urged the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Winston Churchill) to impress upon the Allies at the forthcoming conference of Ministers for Finance that it was necessary to ease the British taxpayers’ burden resulting from the Allies’ non-payment of debts. Mr. Arthur Ponsonby moved a Labour amendment, regretting the Government’s policy regarding Egypt and Russia. This was rejected by 363 votes to 132.