TENSION IN EUROPE.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20230, 26 June 1937, Page 7

TENSION IN EUROPE.

THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION. SERIOUS BUT NOT HOPELESS DEBATE BY BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS. (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright.) (Received June 26, 1 p.m.) LQNDON, June 25.

The debate on national affairs was opened in the House of Commons by the Liberal Leader, Sir A. Sinclair. He said the Spanish situation presented itself as a struggle between rival systems, each of which commanded a passionate body of supporters. That constituted a perpetual danger, because if some country or Government representing one of these two ideas should be tempted to intervene beyond a certain point then it was obvious that other countries might find it difficult, if not impossible, to refrain from joining in, and a conflict might then be started of which no man could see the end. “ The policy of the British Government has been consistently confined to one aim—namely, to maintain the peace of Europe by confining the war to Spain,” continued the speaker. “We have suffered the usual fate of those who try to be impartial and have been bitterly accused by both sides of partiality, but up to the present we have succeeded in achieving our object and shall continue to pursue that object. The situation is serious but not hopeless. Let us try to keep cool heads, and neither say nor do anything to precipitate a disaster. I think we are bound to recognise that as long as this civil war is going on in Spain incidents are bound to occur which will involve foreign Powers. These will lead to accusations of want of impartiality and counter-accusations, and then to such deplorable incidents as the bombing of the Deutschland and the shelling of Almeria.”

The Restraint of Germany. Referring to the Leipzig incident -he said: “The German officers were convinced, on what they thought was indisputable evidence, that they had been the subject of attack by torpedoes. Whether the German officers are right or wrong that is what they believed, and in the circumstances it seems to me that their claim that they could not allow their ships to be exposed any longer to the risk of such incidents as that ought not to he the subject of hostile criticism. “The aotlon of the German Government In merely withdrawing thelr.shlps and declaring the Incident closed showed a degree of restraint whloh we ought to recognise. “We should now fill the gap In control and re-start our endeavours to obtain the withdrawal of foreign volunteers In Spain. I want to appeal to those holding responsible positions in this country and abroad to weigh their words very carefully before they utter them on this matter.” The Speaker hoped the Government would derive encouragement from the Imperial Conference and pursue a more active League policy. The best way to establish European peace would be an understanding with Germany, but Germany must understand that we will not scariflce old friends for the sake of new onc3. If Germany Is prepared to join in disarmament and accept arbitration on international disputes, we will pay any price for her friendship. Understanding In Far East. Mr Anthony Eden, referring to the Far East situation, said he thought there were certain definite and encouraging signs of improvement. Conversations had been proceeding with representatives of the Japanese Government on the possibility of a better Anglo-Japanese understanding, and there Avas hope that it might be possible at a very early date to begin the examination of concrete proposals. He renewed his assurance that an Anglo-Japanese understanding would not be effected at the expense of China. Britain’s relations with the Chinese Government were excellent. Referring to the proposal for a Pacific pact of non-aggression, Mr Eden said it was a matter which must be approached with some circumspeolion, and it might be unwise to attempt any negotiation until they knew a little more clearly what were the views of the other Governments, but they hoped shortly to make preliminary soundings among the interested Governments, after which they would be in a position to decide whether any definite proposals could be made with a reasonable chance of success.

Dangers to Peace. In conclusion Mr Eden said he was not going to contemplate the breakdown of the non-intervention policy until, In consultation with France, they had seen what the possibilities were. In the new and more difficult situation confronting them the Government was acutely conscious of the dangers to peace In the abandonment of non-in-tervention, and intended to persevere by every means in its power, with a view to preserving the peace of Europe. The Prime Minister made an appeal for oautlon, pationoe and restraint In the Interests of European peace. The situation was serious but not hopeless. There was not a single Government I which wanted to see a European | war, ; Mr Chamberlain continued: “The policy of the British Government has been consistently directed towards the maintenance of peace in Europe by confining the war to Spain.” He reiterated Sir A. Sinclair’s contention that we should be glad of the restraint shown by Germany in connection with the Leipzig incident. Two practical steps were now called for. One was to fill the gap in the naval control scheme, and the other was to obiain the withdrawal of foreign volunteers from Spain. The Labour Viewpoint. Major C. R. Attlee, said he was most disappointed because the Prime Minister seemed to have misconceived the issue. The essential question was whether the rule of law or lawlessness should prevail in international affairs. The massacre of the Spanish by foreign forces and airmen showed the farce of non-intervention. The fall of Bilbao was partly due to a blockade to which Britain was a party. Nonintervention had failed, therefore it must end. “We demand that the League should act and the Spanish Government be allowed to obtain arms and be restored to full rights. The League should stand by her,” said Major Attlee.

Mr Wilfred Roberts (Liberal), In moving a reduction of the Foreign Office vote, said: “The fall of Bilbao was due to the inability of the Basques to buy arms, while* aeroplanes and munitions were reaching the insurgents.” European Tension. Mr G. Lansbury urged that the basis of the European tension and the economic issue in the Spanish war was not Fascism or Communism, but the raw materials which Italy and Germany needed. Mr Lloyd George said: “If nonintervention is not enforceable, wind up Hie fraudulent pact and let both sides buy war material where they can.” The motion to reduce the vote was defeated by 157 to 86 votes and the debate was adjourned.

Mr Eden, in dealing with Central Europe, declared: “We cannot, even if we would, disinterest ourselves in the course of events there. Our arms may be used in bringing help to any victim of aggression where, in our judgment, it would be appropriate under the terms of the Covenant. 1 use the word ‘may’ because there is no automatic obligation lo take military action. This is the definition accepted by this country and generally understood by the nations of Europe.”

Situation In Spain,

The major part of Mr Eden’s speech was devoted to Spain.

Referring to the Labour Party’s demand for the termination of the nonintervention policy he said the alternative was unlimited competition in arms and men, with the danger of a clash between outside Powers. lie contended that the Labour Party was miscalculating and mistaken In its idea that the lifting of the non-intervention embargoes would benefit the Valencia Government. While he admitted that the British Government was not satisfied -with the working of the nonintervention agreement he reminded the House that It had gone a long way to check assistance to either side from outside, and he declared that there was no reason why the existing sohemos should not be made to work satisfactorily. After stressing Britain’s determination not to participate in a naval demonstration off the Spanish coast without a preliminary inquiry Mr Eden said the lesson of the event's was that Europe and the world would always he at. the mercy of an international incident. until there was a ceneral aecop • tanee of the rule of law.