BRITISH POLICY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 43, 19 January 1938, Page 16

BRITISH POLICY

ROLE OF SIR R. VANSITTART. CONFLICTING VIEWS. LONDON, Jan. 3. What Sir Robert Vansittart is likely to do in his new post of Chief Diplomatic Adviser -nobody yet knows, although it would seem already that far too many persons have ideas about what he should do to permit him to do wdiat he might do without criticism. Officially Sir Robert Vansittart is to advise the Government on foreign policy. Obviously his post must be essentially experimental, and the position of Sir Alexander Cadogan, who succeeds Sir Robert Vansittart as Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office, must, at least for the time being, not be diminished in importance. Sir Robert Vansittart’s advice will include what course foreign policy should take, as well as its basis. Plainly he will have no easy task, especially since men in high positions inside and outside the Government clearly have conflicting views on foreign policy, and some of them do not liesi--1 ie openly to indicate the direction in which they wish to see British foreign policy turned. SOME CRITICISM OFFERED. Among Conservatives there seems to be more or less general unanimity about the reorganisation of the Foreign Office, although the Sunday 7 Times expresses the opinion that “it will be a mistake if Sir Robert Vansittart’s new job merely means that lie will be frequently going around Europe instead of remaining close to the Foreign Office.” Certain Liberals, on the other hand, note “the disturbing rumours of intrigues hatched by private persons for the purpose of bringing pressure to bear on the Foreign Office and twdsting the country’s policy 7.” The News-Chronicle expresses its view of the appointment as being “undeniably mystifying,” adding. “The House of Commons will be justified in expecting a very clear explanation.” LORD LONDONDERRY’S OPINION.

A striking indication of the opinion of some persons in high positions concerning the present foreign policy was given in a remarkably outspoken criticism of the Government by Lord Londonderry in a New Year message in the Newcastle Journal. After expressing the hope that an enlightened foreign policy would be pursued and that 1938 would show a definite improvement in international relations, Lord Londonderry said: “There is really no international uderstanding. 1 Britain has a tremendous part to play in the future as she has done in the past. Some of us may feel that what is lacking is a conviction about correct policy in the minds of those whom we have chosen to represent us in international affairs. One might perhaps say that during the last few years our foreign policy has been opportunist, that pur leaders had no definite view as to the conduct of foreign affairs; also, that we have alienated our friends through misunderstandings which shoud never have arisen and which we seem unable to remove. “FOOLISH TREATMENT OP GERMANY.”

“Our treatment of Germany since the war has been foolish in the extreme The theory that Germany would for ever be an aggressor showed a lack of knowledge of history which is almost unbelievable. Our steady refusal to assist Germany after she had been defeated in war, harassed by revolution, and deliberately subjected to pains and penalties, some of which were actually unjust and unnecessary, has produced the present situation, in which every effort by Germany to rehabilitate herself and play her part' among the 1 nations of the world is looked upon with fear and suspicion.”