BITTER CRITICISM.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20310, 21 May 1934, Page 1

BITTER CRITICISM.

World Drifting to Shambles ; of Another 1914. United Press Assn.—By Electric * Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, May 19. The “ News Chronicle ” says that a study of the speeches made in the ; House of Commons by Mr Stanley i Baldwin and Sir John Simon in the debate on foreign affairs “ shows how British diplomacy maintains its foreign reputation for hypocrisy, in spite ot their fulsome professions of attach- ! ment to peace.” “Europe has vainly awaited a clear j lead from England and failure is fore- I | shadowed by the pitiful bleatings cf I ; Mr Baldwin and Sir John Sirrion. \Var is upon us: yet. apparently the initiative which these peace lovers could not be induced to take on behalf of peace will be taken instantly when war is in prospect Sir John Simon’s cowardly repudiation of our responsibilities in China and his slavish flattery of Japan completes the picture “ The world is drifting to the shambles of another 1914, because those who should have been the guardians of peace lack the courage of their convictions and the sincerity to act upon them ” “The Times” says: “The British Government has itself largely to thank for the multitude of councillors and the multiplicity of remedies of which Sir John Simon complained. It has too often given an impression of uncertainty just when Europe is seeking a lead. This criticism is particularly applicable to the Government’s recent disarmament policy, which is a problem that now rouses the greatest public uneasiness.”

BRITISH MOVE AWAITED. LONDON, May 20. “The League is dying, and now it is cannon that will speak,” said Signor Mussolini, in a statement to the “Sunday Chronicle.” “Perhaps Britain can still play a card, using her power and prestige,” he added. “The world is waiting for it. because millions of lives and tne destiny of Europe are at stake. The Disarmament Conference has finished and the rearmament conference has begun.”