iricism in Commons' Debate on Labour Motion to Reduce Vote London, July 11, Mr, Ponsonby (Labour) moved a resolution in the House of Commons to-day to reduce the Foreign Office estimates by £100."
This opened a general discussion on foreign affairs, Mr. Ponsonby, who was Under-Seorciary of State for Foreign Affairs in Mz. Ramsay MacDonald's Labour Government, set forth the attitude of the Opposition and raised three main issues: the relationship between France and Germany, the position in south-east Europe ' and the position in Russia, He condemned secret diplomacy and grouping ahd manceuvring between various nations and advocated tthe full and open use of the League of Nations to restore an effective peace in Europe, There was, he aid, an alarming ambition in Ital fear in Russia, resentment in Germany; suspicion in France, danger} The. streets of Jerusalem are full in Poland, cent The Secretary of State for For-|' eign Affairs, Sir Austen Chamber-nin, replied. "He emphasized that there was no secrecy about the ish foreign policy. No undertaking had been entered without the approval of Parliament and he pledged that the Government would make no binding engagements comriltting Britain to ulti case of war without the approval of Parliament, It was a tragedy, he aid, that the pre-War obsession in Germany that it was necessary to keep other Governments quarrelling, Amongst themselves for Germany's profit "had "taken root in another rear neighbouring country." All the efforts of British statesmanship, were to reconcile enemies and remove causes of difference.
1 The League Stronger The League of Nations, Sir Austen declared, was stronger than thr years ago. Questions now could be Aiscussed in a spirit of friendly cooperation which could not be discussed then. He believed that the Policy of reconciliation was also the Policy of France and of Germany.
Britain, he went on, was not. trying to form an anti-Russian bloc. Bach country had been informed that it need not fear criticism or jealousy from Britain if it could improve its Respective relations with the Sovis Sir Austen referred to the ment by M. Briand that France was illing to negotiate with the United tates for the outlawry of war. He! wished them well and hoped that war between the United States and Britain was already outlawed.
The Foreign Secretary still hoped that the Geneva naval conversations Would lead to sensible relief of the burdens which would otherwise fall on the three peoples. Britain could Duly move with the other Powers. The British proposal, if adopted, would lend to a reduction of ex:
Fenditure amounting to nearer £50,- (000,000 than £40,000,000 in a short Ume. Tt was unthinkable that we whould enter a new race with the United States in naval armaments. When it was possible fairly to put the -British naval proposals before} the public there would be no doubt} regards their reasonable character or sincerity.
The Government was seeking the greatest relief for the peoples and oped that new stimulus might.
iven to a larger international conference which would consider not herely naval but land and air ar-laments.
Up to Russia "The Under-Secretary of State for} Foreien Affairs, Be, Locker-Lamp-fon, said that the Government would Wo its utmost to see that the expectations raised by the resolution Dfthe Ambassadors? Conference with regard to evacuation of the Rhine-and. were carried out as soon as possible.
With regard to Russia, he said that Britain vias prepared to resume diplomatic relations with that country when the Soviets had ceased their "worldwide anti-British pro-Faganda and recognized: their "ob-
"AS "to Cenevay Britons. would do their best: No feeling of mere pride!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.