LEAD AT GENEVA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 145, 20 June 1936, Page 9

LEAD AT GENEVA

WILL MAKE EFFORT TO RESTORE LEAGUE REFERENCE TO GERMANY Ju opening the debate vn foreign affairs Air. JLdeu said that tue Guverunient welcomed an uppui tunity of mak ing plain its attituue on a number of problems confronting the League oi Nations upon whi-h the League States together would have to reach a decision before the close of the mouth. From the beginning of the lialoLthiopian dispute the British Government had taken its full part in tol'tctive action. It might be argued that collective action suould have been more complete, Mr. Eden said, counter ing interruptions from the Opposition, but none could deny that the British Government had played its lull puH. It would continue to do so. “We shall act fully and loyally in line with any action the Assembly may decide upon,” he added. The Government might, if it had raxed, Mr. Edeu went on, have left it at that, but at a period of difficulty in the League ’s history that would not in the Government‘s view, nor, he believed, in the view of the British people, be a very neroic course. They had a responsibility to tneir fellowmembers of the League not only foi compliance with collective decisions but for guidance in reaching them. Duty to Give a Lead. The Foreign bccietary rehearsed the initiatives tue British Government baa taken at successive crises while the dispute bad been uefore the League, an J declared it would not be right at this lime ol perplexity to shirk the duty of giving h lead. “1 am quite convinced,” be said, “that so far from the lead we are going to give embarrassing othcis it will be welcomed in many quarters.” Turning to the question or what the League snuuia do in the present circumstances Air. Eden sail that the fact bad got to be faced that the sanctions imposed had not realised tuat purpose lor w'uich they were applied. Abyssinia was in Italian Military occupation, and so far as he was aware no Abyssinian Government survived in any part of Abyssinia. It could not be expected that continuation of the exist ing measures of economic pressure would restore the position in Ai»yssit*ia. Nothing hut military action from outside could possibly do that, and so lar as he knew no other Government, and certainly not the British Government, was piepared to take such military action. To maintain the existing sanctions without any clearly-delined purpose would only result in the crumbling of the sanctions front, so that in a snort time the League vvouid be comronteu with a state of affairs vveu more derogatory to its authority than that which it faced to-day. In these circumstances. “Bis Majesty’s Government, after mature consideration and on the advice which I as Foreign {Secretary thought U my duty to give, nas conic to the conclusion that there is no longer any utility in continuing these measures as a means of pressure upon Italy.” “Nothing to Apologise For.’’ Though Tie League bad not availed •_t> prevent the successful accomplishment of violation of the Covenant, the Government did not regret, Mr. Eden emphasised—nor did he believe fellov.Leugue members regretted having made the attempt, for that they had nothing to apologise for and nothing to retract. Nor was there any question, in the British Government s view, of the judgment passed by the League iast autumn on the act of aggression being either modified or reversed. Before proceeding further to consider the future action Gt the League* the Foreign Secretary made an important declarition on mutual assistance among the Covenant-enforcing {States, lie recalled the reciprocal assurances exchanged last December under paragraph J of Article 16 of the Covenant between the Governments of certain Mediterranean Powers, including His Majesty’s Government, and said that in the view of the latter—which view they proposed to state at Geneva as a contribution to confidence —those assurances should not end with the raising of sanction.; if the Assembly decided to raise sanctions, but should continue during the period of uncertainty which must necessarily fellow. Mr. Eden added that in the light oi the experience of recent months the Government had determined that it was necessary for Great Britain to maintain permanently in the Mcditer-

ranean a defensive position stronger than that which existed before the dispute between Italy and Ethiopia broke out. Better Chance for League. I In the middle part of his speech, which was subject to some interruption at times from the Opposition benches, the Foreign Secretary discussed the future of the League, which, he said, needed to be earnestly and urgently considered by all its members. He must make it plain, he declared, that the Government was de terinined that the Leagu-e should go on. The fact that it had tried and had failed to arrest aggression was reason not for regretting the attempt but for seeking so to organise it that it should have a better chance to succeed hereafter, and with that object the lesson of the last few months had got to be analysed. Opposition Denunciation. The Government’s decision to advise raising of existing sanctions against Italy was vigorously denounced by Mr. Arthur Greenwood, who followed Mr. Eden in the debate as spokesman of the Opposition, and by Mr. David Lloyd George, who spoke next. It was not the League of Nations which had failed, Mr. Greenwood declared, but the courage of the Government. What was the Government’s policy for keeping peace? asked Mr. Lloyd George. Was it to emasculate the League of Nations, to rely on pacts, and, in the words of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, “to limit the danger zone.” and to mark out beforehand a potential enemy? Was it the policy of the Government to arm to the teeth in desperation because it knew no other wav out? As surely as night followed day war must follow that suicidal i policy. Prime Minister in Reply. The Prime Minister, who then intervened, reminded the House that he had taken great pains to impress on the country the tentative nature of sanctions and collective security. He therefore repudiated the Opposition’s charges o'f treachery to the electorate. He had not known if sanctions would be successful, but he never took the view that if t’iey failed that was the end of the League. He was still convinced that they had got to consider most seriously the whole question of collective security. Mr. Baldwin described a number of difficulties with which the collective system was faced, and particularly the reluctance of the common people of most countries in Europe to take up arms for any cause but defence of their own frontier, but he remarked, in conclusion, that he hoped the League would one day be able to make collective security a reality. For his part he had made it clear that he would not be responsible for sanctions until ’the Government had been given authority to strengthen the country’s defences. It was of the first importance, the Prime Minister emphasised, that Germany, France, and Britain should work for peace. The Government was taking a line which they knew would be repugnant to large sections of the British people because in the present state of Europe they were honestly and firmly convinced that it was the wiser of the two courses open to them and the one most conductive to peace. Restoration of League’s Authority. In the interval before the ordinary Assembly in September each League Government ought to be engaged in a study of the shortcomings, weaknesses, and dangers revealed by experience. His Majesty’s Government, Mr. Eden announced, was so engaged most actively, and was already in close consultation with the Dominions on the subject. It was the intention of His Majesty’s Government to make the most constructive and timely contribution in its power to consideration of this question at the Assembly in September. He gave that definite assurance. “The Government will strive to restore to the League its full authority after this setback, which we admit. To that end we propose to devote ourselves. ’ ’ Relations With Germany. Before he sat down Mr. Eden addressed himself to problems arising from Germany’s reoccupation of the Rhineland in March. Successive British Governments had long stood for a policy of re-establishing good relations between Germany and her enemies in the last war, on a basis of Germany’s equality and independence of others, as well as of respect for engagements undertaken. ’The collaboration of Germany .vas indispensable to the peace of Europe, and British Governments had asked nothing better

I than to work with Germany to that end. Referring to the German reoccupai tion of the demilitarised zone, Mr. d.-n said that that action had aroused utmost anxiety and disquiet in in in and France and among couus in a great part of Europe. In j .hose circumstances the policy of the Government had been to seek to calm anxiety and then to promote a situation in which considered reflection and careful negotiation might be possible. Unfortunately, the German Government had felt unable to make any spontaneou contribution towards restoration of confidence. Speaking of inquiries designed to elucidate the German proposals which had been dispatched to Berlin, the Foreign Secretary argued that it was important for Britain and for Europe to be assured that Germany now felt that a point had been reached at which she could signify that she recognised and undertook to respect the existing territorial and political status of Europe except as it might subsequently bo modified by free negotiation and agreement. A* frank and reassuring response to that question he was sure would be a signal for returning confidence in Europe. PRESS COMMENT LITTLE SUPPORT FOR GOVERNMENT Received June 19, 9.50 p.m. LOXDOX, June 19. The Manchester Guardian’s political correspondent says; “Mr. Ldeu fulfilled every mournful expectation. He tailed his" belter self and realised it. Mr. Lloyd George’s speech stripped the Government naked. Mr. Baldwin’s reply might have been called insolent in anyone else.” The Times, in a leader, says: “Public opinion will endorse, while reluctantly accepting Mr. Eden’s view, but will demand energetic and competent leadership to maintain peace. It will want to know what positive aims are to guide British policy, which will henceforward determine the League’s position. Its concrete objective can be obtained only through negotiation with Germany by means of a conference.'’ The Daily Mail, after referring to the strange spectacle of Mr. Eden revising his whole policy with apparent satisfaction, asks; “What will the world think of the Government? Will it not ask whether there is any sincerity left among our public men?” The Mail adds that the League will disappear in odium and obloquy and nobody will be a farthing worse off. The believes that the League members will look elsewhere for leadership. It adds: “It is a crime and disaster that the Ministers, by cowardice, should have irreparably weakened Britain’s authority.” The Daily Herald says: “Worse than surrender to Mussolini will come unless the Ministers realise that the country does not share their desire to betray the League and dishonour Britain’s name.” The Daily Telegraph pays a tribute to Mr. Eden’s courage and resilience in seeking to win a larger hope lor the future, and states that neither pressure on Italy nor war can restore Abyssinia. The British Parliamentary Labour Party has issued a manifesto drawing attention to the grave danger to the ; League owing to the abandonment of sanctions, and accusing the Government of scrapping its solemn pledge that the League would remain the keystone of foreign policy. Jt adds: ‘‘The Government not only is prepared to al* low Mussolini to profit by his aggression but also wishes to abandon the whole system of collective security through the League. The manifesto emphasises that the crisis should be used as an opportunity to rehabilitate the League and make an approach to : peace by rallying to the defence of col- : lective security.” GENEVA AMAZED

' ONLY POSSIBLE WEAPON GONE Received June 19, 11.20 p.m. . GENEVA, June 18. ■ League circles can hardly credit the • abandonment of sanctions, regarding > this as surrender of the only possible • weapon. They are amazed that Britain . should thus throw up the sponge, and ■ wonder how she can now prevent the • collapse of the collective security system. It is emphasised that Italy’s I violation of the Covenant and her posi- [ tion in Ethiopia are still unsettled. ■ TEMPERED WITH RESERVE i ' ’ ITALIAN SATISFACTION Received June 19, 11.5 p.m. ROME. June 18. ' ; Reserve, tempers the satisfaction ! with which Mr. Eden’s speech has j been received because the announcement of the permanent strengthening of Britain’s Mediterranean defences give food for thought. IN OTHER CAPITALS. Received June 19, 11.15 p.m. BERLIN, June .19. The Government is interested but re- > mains aloof. PARIS, June 18. • Cabinet is too occupied with domes- ’ tic problems to permit a considered discussion of sanctions, but caution may have something to do with the absence of official comment. Nevertheless, the . general opinion seems to be that Mr. j Mr. Eden has extricated the French Government from a dilemma. France will probably follow Britain’s lead as unostentatiously as possible. SANCTIONS FAILED : MR DE VALERA’S STATEMENT r r DUBLIN. June 18. f Mr de Valera declared in the Dail e Eircann that sanctions had failed and - must go, adding that the League no • longer commanded the confidence of the ) people of the world. Mr de Valera added that it would r be madness to remain a member of it.