EUROPEAN CRISIS

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19765, 21 December 1935, Page 7

EUROPEAN CRISIS

OPINION ON THE CONTINENT. VICTORY FOR BRITISH PUBLIC OPINION PEACE MORE DISTANT THAN EVER. (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright.) (Received Dec. 21, 10.30 a.m.) • LONDON, Dec. 20. / World comments on the crisis almost wholly pay tribute to the strength of British public opinion and the dignified method of its expression, though the Popolo d’ltalia. describes Sir Samuel Hoare as having been sacrificed to the electoral mob. The French paper Le Jour puts its tribute more gracefully: “The real victor of the day is British public opinion.” A large section of the French press finds Britain’s strong stand an occasion for criticising Signor Mussolini. The Petit Parisien says the failure of the plan was due primarily to the insufficient echo from Rome. The Figaro says that not even amongst the hitherto most fervent admirers, of Signor Mussolini is there a single Frenchman approving him and his painful harangue at Pontinia.

Nobody is yet disposed to discuss the next step after a week’s turmoil, though everywhere it is agreed that peace is more distant than ever, but while some are inclined to think that Signor Mussolini has scored a tactical success in the postponement of the oil embargo, others point out that the battle-front lull has brought Italy correspondingly nearer the rainy season, which will halt operations in Abyssinia.

If the peace plan has served no other purpose it has enabled the man in the street to see from the published maps showing the proposed territorial concessions how little Italy had achieved militarily on either the north or the south front. Nobody had hitherto actually defined Italy’s probable answer to oil sanctions.

The Rome correspondent of the Manchester Guardian gives the official quarter’s view that it would bring war nearer, and emphasises that it would not merely be a question of a conflict between Britain and Italy, but it would spread until it became Europe-wide. Thus the League of Nations would become the creator of a struggle in which the League itself would be the first to he destroyed. The Italians think that too much water has flowed, beneath the bridges for an oil embargo now to be possible.

/ A CHANGED ATMOSPHERE. SIR S. HOARE’S SPEECH. GIVEN REMARKABLE OVATION. NEARNESS OF EUROPEAN WAR. United Prass Assn'.—Elec Tel. Copyright. LONDON, Dec. 19. Tht Suti-llerald says the spectacle of Sir Samuel lloare having been thrust from one of Ills Majesty’s highest ofilces by the overwhelming opinion of tlie public and his colleagues, and suddenly swinging this opinion back to * ills favour, was one of the most astonishing happenings Parliament lias witnessed. No pronouncement in the House of Commons ever terminated to a more remarkable ovation, which was worthy tribute to a statesmanlike and dignified statement. A few more extreme Tories are still disinclined to absolve Sir Samuel, but the overwhelming majority of the Government members felt that he had proved his action right in fact, though not in method. Nearly all the lobby discussion turned on Mr Baldwin’s magnificent personal tribute to Sir Samuel and his admission, almost in Sir Samuel’s words, that the situation menaced European peace. Other Government speakers used similar phrases, building up a case which made Sir Samuel’s erstwhile opponents feel a certain guiltiness in having forced him from office. A Generous Qesture. There was much comment on Mr Baldwin's generous gesture in allowing Sir Samuel, from the back bench, to deliver the speech that lie Intended until last night to make as Foreign Secretary; in other words, allowing Sir Samuel, in so unsealing his lips, to rob Mr Baldwin s>f his own most powerful ammunition. The move had advantages, because Lhe lobbies were of opinion afterwards that if such words as those of Sir Samuel regarding "Britain’s preparedness in tlie Mediterranean and readiness to retaliate if Italy attacked Britain,” had been uttered from the dispatch box they would have almost amounted to a declaration of war. Actually members were surprised when they realised the gravity of the ■situation.

Members only fully appreciated the stark facts of the situation In the Meditenanean when Sir Samuel Iloare, in quiet deliberation and great sincerity, revealed that nobody excepting Britain had moved a ship, man or a machine to the Mediterranean. SIR SAMUEL HOARS, MAY 11 M.l GIN GOYF.rtNMKNT. IX THIS NF \V YEAR. Untied Trass Assn'.—Klee Tel. Copyright. FO'.NDOX, Hee. 19. According to the Daily Mail there is a possibility that. Sir Samuel Iloare will be invited to rejoin the Government tu the New Year, ,

PREMIER’S RESPONSIBILITY CRITICISM OF HIMSELF. WILL BOW TO THE STORM. United Prass Assrr.-—Elec Tel. Copyright. LONDON, Dec. 20. In his speech in the House of Commons the Prime Minister, Mr Stanley Ralchvin, promised to describe his own part in the affair with perfect frankness, saying “that it is no easy matter for a man when he does not feel complete satisfaction with it." lie not only kept Ills promise, hut treated himself without mercy. Mr Baldwin said that the loss of Sir Samuel Hoare was a grave loss to the Government. It was perfectly obvious now that the proposals were absolutely and completely dead, and the Government would not make an attempt to resurrect them. Its policy was based upon the League, but if by adherence to the. League the British Empire found itself standing alone to do what ought to be done by everybody, the country would say: “This is the last time we will allow the Government to'commit us to collective security.” He dreaded the reaction if the country had to take part in a unilateral war, even for a short while before others could Join. The nations would have to consider these things at the end of the ItaloAbyssinian war. “ Responsibility Was Mine.” •Reverting to Sir Samuel Hoare, Mr Baldwin said: “The chief responsibility was mine. I decided that I must support my absent colleague. Whether that was wise or not is another matter. I can quite see, looking back, that I should have brought Sir Samuel Hoare back from Switzerland. You may say it was an act of weakness not to do so. It certainly was an error of judgment.

“ I think there is a lesson to be drawn, largely owing to the League practice that has grown up since the war for Ministers to have discussions on Hie Continent and sometimes to reach conclusions when there is real difficulty of maintaining that liaison which should be maintained with Cabinet.

11 Before this method became common,” said Mr Baldwin, “we relied upon what is called diplomatic procedure. This resulted in far more careful examination of details from the beginning of negotiations than often has been possible under the new system.

“ Speed is often a matter of great danger. It is quite conceivable in some similar situation that so long as this practice of telegraphing from one ■capital to another, with the expectation or a reply the same night is continued, there may be some irremediable disaster. “ i am determined that such a position shall bo impossible again. Mainlance of liaison, even if it entails delays, is essential.” Resentment in Britain. Dealing with Hie resentment the plan evoked, Mr Baldwin said (hat, having fell that the proposals went too far, he was nul surprised at the expressions of feeling. “ Nevertheless,” lie went on, “ t was not expecting that a deeper feeling would be manifested by many of my friends and in many parts of the country on tContlnusd la next column,}.

what I call the ground of conscience and honour. At the moment lam confronted with that. “ I know something lias happened that lias affected the deepest feelings of our countrymen. Some note lias been struck that brings back from them a response from the depths. • If a storm arises when I know I am right, I will let It break on me, and I will either survive It or break. “ If i feel after an examination of myself that in that storm there is something to show me 1 have done something that 13 not right, then I will bow to it.”