USE OF FORCES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 279, 25 November 1936, Page 7

USE OF FORCES

BRITISH OBLIGATIONS FULFILLING PLEDGES VITAL INTERESTS ( British Official Wireless ] RUGBY, Nov. 23. Much comment, mainly favourable, has been passed abroad on a speech defining the objectives and obligations of British policy made at Leamington on Friday by the Foreign Secretary, Mr Eden. In that statement the Foreign Secretary made it clear that British armaments would never be used for any purpose inconsistent with the League Covenant or the Kellogg Pact. They might, and if occasion arose they would, be used in defence of the territories of the British Commonwealth, he said. They might, and if occasion arose they would, also be used for the defence of France and Belgium against unprovoked aggression. in accordance with Britain's existing obligations. A similar obligation would arise towards Germany if a new European settlement could De reached. These, together with the treaty of alliance with Irak and the projected treaty with Egypt, were, Mr Eden explained, Britain's definite obligations. In addition her armaments might be used according to her own judgment to bring help to a victim of aggression under the provisions of the Covenant, but in such a case there would be no automatic obligation to take military action. The nations, said Mr Eden, could not be expected to incur automatic military obligations save for areas where their vital interests are concerned. British opinion generally has welcomed and approved the terms of Mr Eden's statement. DEFENCE PROGRAMME A CONFIDENTIAL TALK [British Official Wireless] RUGBY, Nov. 23. In accordance with the undertaking I given by the Prime Minister during i the defence debate in the House of Commons, a deputation of private I Conservatives and members headed |by Mr Winston Churchill was received by Mr Baldwin this afternoon and a confidential discussion on details of the defence programme took place.