BRITAIN’S POLICY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 50, 27 January 1938, Page 11

BRITAIN’S POLICY

Y TOWARDS EUROPEAN POWERS. RUMOURS DISCOUNTED. REFORM OF THE LEAGUE. (United Presa Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received January 27. 8.5 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 26. There is no foundation whatever for reports and rumours that Britain is on tho eve of making advances to Germany, -eclares the Manchester Guardian’s diplomatic correspondent. “Some of these reports are undoubtedly of German origin and aim at raising German credit, in which they are sometimes successful as seen from the movement of the money market; they are also designed to weaken the growing movement towards the politic and economic collaboration of the smaller Eastern and Middle European Powers.

WAIVING OF INTERESTS. “The pressure in favour of waiving Britain’s indirect interests in Central and Eastern Europe is both strong and persistent. Lord Halifax's visit to Berlin and Sir Robert Yansittart’s changed status are both consequences of it, but thus far British foreign policy has not changed its direction. Similarly, there lias been no fundamental change in Britain s attitude towards Abyssinia. The Government is reluctant to take the initiative in recognising Italy’s conquest, as it would bo represented throughout the East as a great Italian victory over Britain. A REFORM OF LEAGUE.

“Reports that Britain considers reform of tlie League of Nations urgent are also mostly traceable to Italian and German sources,” adds the Guardian. “The Government considers it inopportune to raise the issue at the moment. ' The present’structure is good enough for practical purposes, but Italy and Germany have an interest in representing Britain as dissatisfied as part of their campaign to draw the small Powers from the League. Other reports of impending British overtures towards Italy have a better foundation, as the Government desires better relations, but no advance will be made until Italy gives evidence that the talks promise some concrete results and advantages to Britain,” concludes the newspaper.