BRITAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20097, 2 May 1935, Page 9

BRITAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY

SCOPE OF PROMISES IN EUROPE DOMINIONS DEEPLY CONCERNED Unlteq Press Association —By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, April 30. It is understood that the Prime Minister, Mr Ramsay Macdonald, assured the Dominion Prime Ministers at the meeting to consider the international situation, that Thursday’s debate on foreign affairs in the House of Commons would provide a clear indication of British foreign policy. The meeting apparently did not go beyond the stage of preliminary discussion for the purpose of amplifying the official summaries of the recent European negotiations, but a series of similar gatherings during the coming weeks will provide facilities for discussing Imperial defence and also the proposed Imperial Conference in 1936. Sir Main-ice Hankey, Secretary to the Imperial Defence Council, was present. "ANXIOUS TO KNOW” WHAT ARE BRITAIN’S COMMITMENTS? United press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received May 1, 8.40 p.m.) LONDON, May 1. “The Times” in expressing the hope that Thursday’s debate in the House of Commons will produce a statement regarding the extent of British commitments says: “The Prime Ministers of the Dominions must be"* specially anxious to know to what extent Great Britain is engaged, or likely to become engaged, in complications on the Continent. The Dominions are not bound by the terms of the Locarno Treaty, but in a general way may be regarded as supporting its peace preserving purpose. If, however, Britain were to insur obligations further afield on the Continent, it would certainly be at the risk of causing a split in Imperial sentiment,”

DEEP CONCERN IN BERLIN RESPONSIBLE OPINION FEARS REPERCUSSIONS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received May 1, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, May 1. The Berlin correspondent of “The Times" states that semi-official diplomatic commentary reveals an uneasiness in responsible German opinion regarding the developments at the Stresa Conference. It complains of unreasoning armaments panic and asks whether the realisation of German equality, which the nations accepted in the early stages must destroy all possibilities of an understanding and co-operation. The commentary denies that Germany is excluding herself from collective security, as she accepts Article VII. of the Covenant of the League of Nations ensuring common action against a peace-breaker, although Germany does not believe in military alliances as a method of forestalling an aggressor. This should enable an agreeement to be made, offering greater security to all, because it gives special advantages to none.

JAPAN FEARS RUMOURS FALSE PROPAGANDA ALLEGED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received May 1, 8.40 p.m.) TOKIO, May 1. The foreign spokesman said the Japanese public were being gulled and misled by the frequent false propaganda in the guise of news from foreign agencies, especially American, via the Japanese press, against which Mr Hirota, will request the prefectural governors at a meeting on May 3, to warn the people.