THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 24, 1938
PREMIER CHALLENGED TO GENERAL ELECTION Labour Manifesto Alleges Breach Of Pledges
"No Mandate From
BRITISH
CABINET
MEETING
London, To-day.
The Cabinet held the usual
weekly meeting at 10, Downing Street, yesterday morning, and it is believed the Ministers re- ceived the instructions to be given to the British Ambassador in Rome, the Earl of Perth, who is now en route to London, in re- gard to the Anglo-Italian talks:
A
Country For Vital
SAMUEL HOARE DEFENDS
Change In Policy" CHAMBERLAIN
London, To-day.
manifesto issued by the Trades Union Congress POLICY
and the Labour Party states:
"The present Government holds no mandate from
London, To-day.
the electors for the vital change it has made. The Home Secretary speaking at in foreign policy, and the British labour move-the National Chamber of Trade ment challenges it to submit this issue to an immediate general election."
The manifesto adds that the Prime Minister and the majority While the Cabinet was sitting, of the Cabinet have disregarded the French Ambassador, M. the pledges on which the Nation- Charles Corbin, called at Foreign Office.
na-
thejal Government gained the
tion's confidence in the last elec- tion.
The British Government is keep- ing the French Government closely informed of. the arrangements be- ing made for the talks.-Reuter.
"PERSONNEL CHANGES”
They have. deserted the League, brought the Covenant to derision and abandoned the prin- ciples which hitherto have inspir- ed the British people in interna- tional relations.-Reuter.
BETRAYAL OF FRIENDSHIP For the first time since" Mr. I The manifesto was issued at the Eden's resignation, a Cabinet meet-meeting, which was called to consider ing was held yesterday.
the resignation of the Foreign Secre-j
London, To-day.
to be given British Ambassador in Rome. Trans-Ocean.
GUNBOATS AT ST. JOHN'S ISLAND
-
ANOTHER- FRENCHMAN BOMBED
Tangier, To-day.
A French steamer was bombed yesterday when 12 miles east of Valencia, according to a wireless message picked up by a local station.-Reuter.
T.V. SOONG TO RETURN TO POLITICS
Hankow, To-day.
Active participation of Mr. T. V. Soong in the Chinese Govern- ment is widely believed following his arrival in Hankow Hong Kong.
from
lunch in London, said that for months past Europe had seemed to be irrevocably splitting itself into two hostile camps. Both were arming with feverish activity.
In both alike there were rumours, very dangerous rumours, of an inevitable clash.
In circumstances such as those, a great responsibility rested on the British Government. The Govern- ment were not prepared to accept the inevitability of war. They did not believe the catastrophe must
come.
They were determined to make a sustained effort to drive the haunt- ing fear of war out of the hearts of men and women in Europe.. They might, fail in their attempt, but he asked the country to be- lieve in their integrity.
"HONEST ATTEMPT""
This, said Sir Samuel Hoare, was not a cowardly and shady negotia tion upon which they had embark- ed. It was an honest attempt to Mr. Soong's arrival here has
face the causes of difference and served to dispel rumours of dis- remove them with honour and jus-
mily. agreement within the Soong fatice to both sides.
It is stated that in addition to [tary and states that the National Gov- the personnel changes necessitated ernment have brought the League by Mr. Eden's resignation, the Covenant into derision. They have Cabinet discussed at length the abandoned the principles which have instructions
to the hitherto inspired the British peo- ple in their international relations. The Government have decided to enter upon negotiations with the Government of Italy under condi- tions which involve the betrayal of the friendship and the confidence of democratic nations. The Gov- ernment refuse to make a stand in defence of international law.
The Government's policy imperils the security of the country and Com- Despatches from Kwanghoi state monwealth.
When Madame Chiang Kai- If they wished to make new that two Japanese gun-boats have
shek and Dr. H. H. Kung, the friends, there could be no question The British Labour movement re- Minister of Finance, recently of abandoning arrived off St. John's Island, with affirms its uncompromising opposi-visited Hong Kong, reports were Wireless.
old ones. British. marines on board. The situation in tion to any agreement with either circulated that they were trying that area is stated to be quiet but Fascist Italy or Nazi Germany the atmosphere is tense with these the basis indicated by the Prime past
on to persuade Mr. Soong to "forget
differences and come gun-boats in the neighbourhood.- Minister in his statement to Parlia- Hankow."-Reuter. Our Own Correspondent.
Canton, To-day.
I'
ment. British Wireless.
Mr. W. S. Morrison Or Lord Halifax?
London, To-day.
FLOWER SHOW
to
Nor was it in any sense a sacrifice of old friends.
RECRUITING
"London. To-day.
Army recruiting continues to run London, To-day. at a much higher level than a year The King and Queen yesterday ago. Regular Army recruits last afternoon paid a private visit to week totalled 645, an increase of the Spring Flower Show of the 184 over the corresponding week of Royal Horticultural Society-Bri- last year and the highest for that week since 1933. British Wireless.
Those who know.....
Insist on
WHILE the fact that Mr. W. S. Morrison, Minis-tish Wireless.
ter for Agriculture, wound up the debate on the Government conduct of political affairs, was interpreted in the lobbies as indication that he is most likely to be Mr. Anthony Eden's successor, the political correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph' claims to have reliable in- formation that Lord Halifax will be definitely Foreign Secretary before the present week ends
The correspondent, moreover, another portfolio in the Cham- emphatically denies rumours to berlain Cabinet. the effect that Mr. Eden intends Parliamentary quarters draw to join some opposition group. attention to the fact that Mr. The correspondent admits, Eden, as well as his parliamen- however, that Mr. Eden's views tary private secretary, Mr. J. P. so fundamentally different L. Thomas, abstained from vot from those of Mr. Neville Chaming when the vote on the Labour berlain that it is extremely un- Party's motion of censure. likely that Mr. Eden will accept was taken.--Trans-Ocean.
are
EWO
Jardines-Tel. 30311