§ 11. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the reply given by the British Minister in Addis Ababa to the inquiry made by the Emperor of Ethiopia before his departure from his country as to the amount of continued and increased support that might be anticipated from the League of Nations?
§ Mr. EDENOn 1st May the Emperor sent for His Majesty's Minister and inquired whether it would be possible for communications to be maintained through the Sudan if he were driven to reorganise armed resistance from a place in Western Abyssinia in the neighbourhood of that British frontier. Sir Sidney Barton replied that he must refer the matter to His Majesty's Government, but stated as his own view that, in the contingency contemplated, existing communications with the Sudan would be maintained. He was subsequently informed that this view was fully approved by His Majesty's Government. The Emperor further inquired whether, if he made a further 1406 appeal to the League for increased pressure on. Italy, His Majesty's Government would support his negotiations. Sir Sidney Barton replied that this also was a matter on which he must naturally refer to His Majesty's Government, but in response to the Emperor's request for his own views, he explained the situation created for the League by recent developments in Europe and the bearing of the French elections on the then impending meeting of the League Council.
§ Mr. MANDERWill the Foreign Secretary be good enough to say whether the British Government ever gave a definite reply to the Emperor's second question asking whether he could rely on further support from the League of Nations?
§ Mr. MANDERDo we understand that no reply was given to it owing to the fact that he had left?
§ 12. Mr. A. HENDERSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will consult with the United States Government and the other Governments, signatories of the Pact of Paris, with a view to appropriate action being taken to deal with the breach by Italy of its obligations under the treaty?
§ Mr. HENDERSONIs it not desirable that the other signatories to this treaty should indicate in some form their disapproval of the action of Italy? What is the value of any treaty when breaches can be committed in it with impunity and no action is taken by the other signatories?
§ Mr. EDENI think the time for action under the Pact of Paris was at the outbreak of war. We preferred to take action under the Covenant of the League of Nations. It was open to anybody else to take action of the kind indicated.
§ Mr. HENDERSONIs it not desirable at this juncture that the other signatories to the treaty should indicate in some form whether in their opinion the signature of Italy has been rendered nugatory as a result of her action, and is it not within the power of the other signatories to do that?
§ Mr. EDENThat may be so, but I think it is more a case for the signatories who are not members of the League of Nations to initiate action.
§ 13. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the area of Ethiopia in Italian military occupation; the area remaining under the sovereignty of the Emperor; the estimated forces at his disposal; and whether licences for the export of munitions to these forces will continue to be granted?
§ Mr. EDENI have no news of recent Italian military movements. But according to an estimate prepared about three weeks ago the area in actual Italian military occupation was less than one-half of the country. This area nevertheless represents the most important part of Abyssinia, comprising as it does the two principal cities, Addis Ababa and Harar, and—with one exception—all the recognised channels of communication with the outside world. As regards the remaining area, I can only speak with full information of Western Abyssinia, which includes the one remaining channel of communication to which I have referred. Here, according to very recent reports received from the Acting Governor-General at Khartoum and from His Majesty's Consul at Gore, the country is, as I stated in the course of last Thursday's Debate, in the hands of the Galla population, who are hostile to the Emperor's Government. Such Amhara officials as remain are, I understand, not in a position to exercise authority. I can make no estimate of the strength of the armed Abyssinian forces remaining in the country. As regards the last part of the question, the situation is, I hope, clear from what I have just said. His Majesty's Government evidently could not allow arms to go from the Sudan into Western Abyssinia so long as there is no probability that the arms would be received by any constituted authority or serve any purpose other than that of promoting civil war. I have informed the Ethiopian Minister in London in that sense.
§ Mr. MANDERIn view of the fact that it is reported that there are something like 30,000 troops in Abyssinia now who are hostile to the Italian occupation will the Government do nothing to hinder them from receiving arms, or do the Government intend to take sides against them?
§ Mr. EDENNo, certainly we do not intend to take sides against them, but in Western Abyssinia there is, as far as we are aware, no authority to whom these arms could go, and we could not take the responsibility of allowing arms to go across the frontier when that might only result in local strife without helping the Emperor or anyone else.
§ Mr. SHINWELLDoes the right hon. Gentleman suggest that the Galla tribes are favourable to the occupation of Abyssinia?
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERAre we to understand that the Government are in total disagreement with the action of the President of the United States in the matter?
§ Commander LOCKER-LAMPSONIs it not the case that the Galla tribes dislike even more the rule of Mussolini?
§ Mr. MANDERDo I understand that in the event of there being a Government in Western Abyssinia responsible to the Emperor there would be no objection to arms going in?
§ Mr. EDENThat would create an entirely new situation. It is not the situation which I have to face.
16. Miss RATHBONEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he intends at the meeting of the League to propose or to oppose recognition of Italy's annexation of Ethiopia?
§ Mr. EDENHis Majesty's Government have no intention at the forthcoming meeting of the League of proposing or assenting to the recognition of Italy's annexation of Abyssinia.
17. Miss RATHBONEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will propose to the League that neither Italy nor any other State which is unwilling to accept the procedure for the peaceful settlement of disputes prescribed by the Covenant should be permitted to obtain loans or credits from member States of the League?
§ Mr. EDENAs I stated in the Debate on Thursday last the whole problem of 1409 the future practice of the League of Nations is shortly to be considered at Geneva. I am sure the hon. Member will not expect me at this stage to anticipate these deliberations.
Miss RATHBONEHave the Government made up their mind what they will propose at the League in respect of loans to Italy?
§ Mr. SHINWELLIf the Government have views on the reform of the League in any of its aspects, surely this House is entitled to know what is in the mind of the Government?
§ Mr. EDENBut there is no question of a debate on the future of the League taking place at this meeting at Geneva. In due course, naturally, the House will be fully informed of any proposals we have to make.
Miss RATHBONEAs sanctions are to be dropped, unless action is taken to the contrary will it not follow ipso facto that loans and credits will be possible, and do not the Government intend to do anything to prevent our being involved in that final ignominy?
§ Mr. PETHERICKWill the right hon. Gentleman continue the practice of discouraging foreign loans of all kinds?
§ 18. Mr. A. HENDERSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether during his consultations with the new French Government a specific inquiry was addressed to the French Government as to whether they were in favour of the continuance of sanctions: and, if so, what was the nature of their reply?
§ Mr. EDENI would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made on this subject in the course of last Thursday's Debate, to which I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. HENDERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the statement to which he has just referred he informed the House that the new French Govern- 1410 ment did not indicate to him that they were in favour of the discontinuance of sanctions? Will he not inform the House whether the French Government ever actually stated that they were against the continuance of sanctions?
§ Mr. EDENI think my statement did cover both points. If hon. Members wish any further information it can be given in the Debate to-morrow.
§ Mr. HENDERSONWill not the right hon. Gentleman say now whether the French Government ever stated that they were against the continuance of sanctions?
§ Mr. EDENI think that what I stated on Thursday must stand. If hon. Members wish for further information, I am perfectly willing to give it to them to-morrow.
§ Captain McEWENIs it not the fact that French foreign policy never changes?
§ 22. Mr. THURTLEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, prior to his advising the Government to discontinue the policy of economic sanctions against Italy, he had any conversations or communications with the Italian Government in regard to this projected change of policy?
50. Miss RATHBONEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that in the event of the removal of sanctions against Italy it is not the intention of His Majesty's Government to supply Italy with loans or credits which may be used to complete her subjugation of Ethiopia and to prepare for further acts of aggression?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. W. S. Morrison)His Majesty's Government have no power to grant loans or credits to Italy nor have they any intention of seeking such power.