Coventry, Jan. 23.
Opposition. to the policy of the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, towards italy "even as the Nationalists, with Italian armaments, are- nearing Barcelona," was voiced here this evening by Mr. Anthony Eden, former Foreign Secretary, in a speech before his constituent:
He emphasized that "unshaken Anglo-French trinness in the defence ót their interests would be the most useful contribution to the cause of peace."
Mr. Eden proceeded to enumerate vital British and French interests in connection with Spain.
He stressed thi in's political independence and territorial integrity should be respected. He asserted that no foreign Power or Powers should be considered truly free to determine her destiny Mr. Eden stressed that the Nationalist Generalissimo Franco is advancing upon Barcelona with the aid óf form midable artillery and air power—- "And everyone knows who provides these armaments and who continues to provide them in open violation of agreements and pacts signed and resigned with this country, giving pledges to the contrary.
Voluntary Nature of Scheme Friendship Impossible In conclusion, Mr. Chamberlain emphasized that it was a voluntary scheme.
Some, he said, believed that compulsion would be more effective, but "compulsion is not in accordance th the democratic system under which we live or with our tradition He eulogized the Spanish Republican Government's withdrawal of all foreign combatants In their Army.
meanwhile, however, from General Franco's lines, foreign airmen bomb, foreign artillery shell and for-gri infantry marches across Spanish of freedom.
"We are confident that we shall get all the volunteers who are wanted, without compulsion," Mr. Chamberlain added, "Most of you are asking how you could help. Our proposals give you your opportunity to show the world what a free people are prepared to do in defence of their liberties and ideals, and 1 am sure that my call will bring the full measure of response for which Ta leuter, Australia Warned to [Prepare for Worst y Not Inevitable, but Probable, Says Leader Sydney, Jan. 24.
The Minister of External Affairs. Mr. W. M. Hughes, today warned Australia that "if war is not inevitable, it is certainly most probable' and added that if Australian Democracy was to be saved, the country must "act swiftly, The position of dictatorships in the Far East," he said in a broadcast address to the entire nation, "is most menacing for Australia. The penalty for failure to make adequate preparations will mean national death.
"Australians must put everything else aside and act now as though they were already at war! Certain nations are going about with fire sticks in their hands and anything may happen."
Referring to the inability of Dem-coracles to act quickly in times of national emergency, Mr, Hughes said Britain's lack of military preparation in Europe had already become a proverb after the Munich conference—United Press.
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