MENACE OF FORCIBLE ACTION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21308, 30 March 1939, Page 7

MENACE OF FORCIBLE ACTION

HAMPERING INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF LORDS United Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 29, 7.45 p.m.) LONDON, March 29. In the House of Lords, Lord Davies tabled a motion, which welcomed the assurances that the Government was considering the desirability of assuming wider mutual obligations to prevent further aggression, and urged the establishment of a financial, economic and military commission, by co-operat-ing 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 an impartial settlement of inter-State disputes. Lord Plymouth, replying, said: It is clear the restoration of Czechoslovakia could be effected only by force of arms. Neither Britain nor other Powers with whom she was consulting, harboured any such design.

Referring to the proposal to establish machinery for the settlement of interstate disputes Lord Plymouth said: Powerful States had even discarded friendly negotiations for the settlement of disputes. They had resorted to direct or indirect force. Surely it was not remotely possible they would refer their grievances to impartial adjudication. Britain was convinced that no question could not be settled peacefully if good will existed, but she was not prepared to negotiate under a 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.