DEBATE ON SPAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 March 1939, Page 7

DEBATE ON SPAIN

RECOGNITION SUPPORTED BY MR EDEN ATTITUDE OF LIBERAL LEADER. HEAVY MAJORITY AGAINST CENSURE MOTION. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. February 28. Intervening in the debate in the House of Commons, Mr Anthony Eden brought his support to the Government’s decision to grant recognition to the Franco Government, but urged that the British and French Governments should exert themselves to the utm'ost to see if it were possible that the closing stages of the civil war should not see a repetition of the tragic sufferings which had marked its long course. They should try to negotiate an armistice. The Leader of the Opposition Liberal Party, Sir Archibald Sinclair; said that he declined to be convinced that the Government’s hope that it would succeed by relieving General Franco s dependence on Germany and Italy in influencing his policy would be fulfilled. For the Liberals he refused in advance credits to bolster up the new Spanish Government. General Franco, he thought, would remain faithful to his own anti-democratic principles and friends.

The motion of censure was defeated by 344 votes to 137. CHARGE & DENIAL TRICKERY ALLEGED BY MR ATTLEE MR CHAMBERLAIN’S REPLY. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 28. Speaking in the censure motion de-, bate in the House of Commons, Mr C. R. Attlee quoted a statement of the French Premier, M. Daladier, in the Chamber of Deputies on February 24, to the effect that he had received advice on February 22 that the British Government considered that the hour had come to recognise General Franco. It was obvious, Mr Attlee said, that Mr Chamberlain had made up 'his mind and had notified the Prime Minister of another coui.try of an. act of policy which he refused to communicate to the House of Commons.

That was not the way to treat the House of Commons, said Mr Attlee. It was a device to make M. Daladier speak first but the trick was trumped because M. Daladier revealed that he was acting under pressure from the British Government.

Mr Chamberlain’s statement justifying the recognition of General Franco was a tissue of half-truths which were worse than lies, said Mr Attlee. There had obviously been a decision before February 23 when the Prime Minister evaded an opportunity of acquainting the House. Mr Attlee said that there was great distrust of the Government, in the Dominions, in the United States and through the democratic world, which saw countries sacrificed with the acquiescence of Britain. The Government had done nothing to build up peace but had announced to the whole world that anyone who used force would have a friend in the British. (Ministerial cries of ■'Shame!’’ and Opposition cheers.) Mr Attlee then went on to raise the question of international law and quoted a sentence from Dr Hall’s work to the effect that in certain circumstances “premature recognition in effect amounts to an act .of intervention.'’ "Mr Chamberlain is stabbing heroic defenders of democracy in the back," he concluded. Mr Chamberlain, answering Mr Attlee, denied'that M. Daladier’s words implied that the British Government had already reached a decision. M. Daladier said: "After, all, do you think it is a neglible fact that we were told on February 22 that the British Government considered the moment had come, and we should not let it pass when we should recognise General Franco.” Mr Chamberlain said: "That is not a decision but an expression of opinion. We could not possibly be certain of the French attitude till February 24 had passed, and the final decision was taken over the weekend.”