BRITAIN HOLDS BACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 June 1938, Page 8

BRITAIN HOLDS BACK

SHIPS TO BE PROTECTED ON HIGH SEAS Bist Not in Spanish Ports SPREAD OF CONFLICT NOT JUSTIFIED (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.20 a m.) RUGBY, June 14. The House of Commons met today after the Whitsun recess and a crowded house listened to a statement by Mi- Neville Chamberlain on the bombing of British ships in the ports and territorial waters of the Government of Spain. At the conclusion of a long answer to a private notice question by Major C. R. Attlee, Mr Chamberlain said that, apart from two proposals, of which he gave details, the result of a detailed examination made by his Majesty’s Government had been to show that effective protection could not be guaranteed to ships trading with ports in the war zone while they were in territorial waters, unless Britain was prepared to take an active part in hostilities. Mr Chamberlain said: “In the opinion of his Majesty’s Government, they would not be justified in recommending such a course, which might well result in the spread of the conflict far beyond its present limits. They must, therefore, repeat the warning that, while they will continue to afford protection as hitherto to ships on the high seas, ships entering ports which are liable at any time to be the object of military operations and attack must do so at their own risk. At the same time, it is impossible that attacks frequently involving loss of life, and sometimes apparently deliberate, on British ships, can be repeated without serious injury to the friendly relations which the Burgos authorities have declared they desire to- maintain with the British Government.” Major Attlee announced that, in view of the grave issues involved, the Opposition would take an early opportunity of raising a debate on the matter.