Critics Answered with "Manly and Convincing Candour:"
Nothing at Geneva Harmful to Peace London, March 19, 1 fear Iam to be executed on. said Sir Austen Cham-laughingly when approached: cly an interviewer, on reaching Victoria from the Continent to-night, regarding the abortive Geneva ations, "I think I would rather I reach the scaffold."
Mar, 23. ime what he had not dared to say n the House that day (Ministerial cheers), Why did Mfr, Lloyd quote Dr. Stresemann, whom Sir} Austen said he would leave to judge! iictween himself and Mr, sre whether he otod with a luck of candour of loyalty towards the Germans.
Sir Austen Chamberlain wore a The British Instruction stern expression when he entered a crowded and expectant House of Commons to-day and his face did not relax in response to Ministerialist cheers, Mr. Lloyd George and Mr, Ramsay MacDonald were the first occupants the front bench to arrive.
Mr, Lloyd George initiated the debate by moving a reduction of the Foreign Office Vote "to call attention to the proceedings at Geneva and the action of the British representatives there."
He regretted that Sir Austen Chamberlain had not seen fit to take the floor first as he did after Locarno and explain how Locarno was checked at Geneva, Sir Austen Chamberlain said that] the instructions with which he went eva were, subject to his dis-ion, to make the best arrangements possible in accordance with the development of the that British policy' should fon the following prineiples:—
Firstly, that no change in. the Council or" the "League "should be nile Which Would hae the effect of eventing, oF delaying the entey of that. Ger that it would be best Should" as a member of the Council hi for any. further change. In. the pei snd er own a the "rule "that "only.
Mr, Loyd George doctored that} the Locarno Powers were responsible for the Geneva failure, The peace of the world hung on the sation which the House of Commons took and directed the Government to take in future, The events at Geneva, he con. tinued, had undoubtedly antagonized the United States towards the League of Nations, Sweden, who the right and courageous course! sented the public: pinion also of Great Britain, yet the Swedish Deleeate, M, Unden, had been treated as a stubborn, irteconpro-German, though he had dione more to save the League than anyone man, They were entitled to ask whether S'r Austen Chamberlain knew. be-Yorchand that France and Poland intended to insist upon the simul-we nuts entry of the latter to the League with Germany, In the course of references to the United States, Mr. Loyd George's mention of Senator Borah was received with some laughter from Ministerialists, ap which Mr, Lloyd, George asked what was the good of roofing at one of the ablest and most influential men in America, Me went ea to say that instead of using their influence to secure the admission of Germany alone, vivers had intrigued threatened somebody else that Spain was ina special position and. might. require treat ven non-permanent ext as 800m, possible Me had acted accordingly.
Me declared that no pressure of any kind had been put on Sweden to act as she did. Public discussions throughout the world had made Germany's position impossible.
He intimated that if that night's} vote was adverse he would resign.
He had done his best to persuade other nations not to raise the qui tion of the enlargement of the Coun. cil at prevent, He had urged them Germany into the League and of to complicate the discussion by} traducing other issues, Sir Austen emphasized that the League was an association of equal relationships. If any British representative attenfpted to dictate policy he would have the reprobation of the whole League as his guerdon, Britain's part was her accustomed part of moderator and No Ground for Bad Faith Charge Sir Austen Chamberlain went on to say that Brazil contended that rhe had notified Germany of her intention to claim a permanent seat, He was of the opinion that that ought to have put Germany on her guard.
Sir Austen Chamberlain's Reply Austen Chamberlain, who followed "Mr, Lloyd George,' cutezorically denied that, when' he interviewed M. Briand, the French Prewier, on hig vetun from Italy, he red into any engagement regard.
Polish claims or anything el Neither had he instigated ov encouraged M, Briand to press the Polish Austen Chamberlain said that Mr. Lloyd George professed to come to, the House as an open-minded, distressed inquirer, but he had not waited even for his Austen's) arrival at Geneva before he telegraphed to the American pre condemnation of his action suspicion alist cheers), Austen that strange that a charge of disloy Germany was laid by a atviot: and met by the Germans themselves (Mb ist, cheers).
With regard to the feeling ica, Mr. Lloyd George doze his! share by artes inet France and Great Britain had Inia down that Germany's request for uulmission to the Leaxue should be conditional, There was no ground for a charge but!
It r been hinted az Locarno that Germany attached any importance to her being the sole entrant to the League.
He emphasized the _difficulties aused by the publicity given to the Polish claim by arousing national in each country. He added wit unless, in future, the nations who were members of the League, especially those who were members of the Council, were prepared to attain their ends without making positive stand publicly, the League conkd not work and its whole pur-de would be destroyed, it Austen Chamberlain explained he had informed all parties Concerned before tie discussions at} Geneva of the exact attitude of the Government. For example, lad told the Spanish. Ambassador if the candidature of Spain!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.