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Catalogue Reference:CAB/23/82
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f f S L ^ f ^ ^ ^ f ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ W I ^ ^ ^ ^ J ^ x r - S
GOVERNMENT. )
I SECRET.
' (REVISE. )
COPY NO.
C A B I N E T
42 ( 3 5 ) .
Meeting of the Cabinet to be h e l d at 10, Downing
S t r e e t , S. W.1. ,en THURSDAY, 22nd AUGUST, 1935,
at 10.0 a.m.
A G E N D A .
1.
DISPUTE BETWEEN ITALY AND ABYSSINIA
(Reference
(ETHIOPIA).
Cabinet 41 ( 3 5 ) Conclusion L )
Copy of a p e r s o n a l and s e c r e t telegram dated
17th August, 1935, from the M i n i s t e r f o r League
of Nations A f f a i r s to the S e c r e t a r y of State
f o r Foreign A f f a i r s .
C P . 163 ( 3 5 ) already circulated.
Memorandum by the Chiefs of S t a f f Sub-Committee
of the Committee of I m p e r i a l Defence, covering
a Report b y the J o i n t Planning Sub-Committee.
C P . 166 ( 3 5 ) already circulated.
Note by the S e c r e t a r y of State f o r Foreign
A f f a i r s covering a Report by an I n t e r - D e p a r t m e n t a l
Committee on B r i t i s h I n t e r e s t s i n E t h i o p i a .
already circulated.
C P . 161 ( 3 5 ) Note by the S e c r e t a r y Of State f v r Foreign
A f f a i r s , covering a Memorandum by the F o r e i g n
O f f i c e on c e r t a i n p o i n t s f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n i n
connection with the d i s c u s s i o n s between the
U n i t e d Kingdom, France and I t a l y .
already circulated.
C P . 162 ( 3 5 ) Note by the A c t i n g Secretarjr, covering the
Revised D r a f t Report on Economic Pressure on
I t a l y prepared by the Sub-Committee on Economic
P r e s s u r e of the Committee of I m p e r i a l Defence.
c i r c u l a t e d herewith.
C P . 169 ( 3 5 )
Note by the S e c r e t a r y of State f o r Foreign
A f f a i r s covering a Memorandum by the F o r e i g n
O f f i c e on the problems l i k e l y to a r i s e i n the
event of the outbreak of war between I t a l y and
Abyssinia.
\
C P . 167 ( 3 5 ) already c i r c u l a t e d . ]
/"'
/
Note "by the S e c r e t a r y of State f o r Dominion
A f f a i r s , covering a copy of a l e t t e r dated.
15th August, 1935, addressed by him to the
S e c r e t a r y of State f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s .
C P . 168 ( 3 5 )
already c i r c u l a t e d .
Note by the S e c r e t a r y , c o v e r i n g the Conclusions
of a Meeting h e l d a t 10, Downing S t r e e t on
Tuesday, 6th August, 1935.
C P . 159 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
2,
THE ATLANTIC AIR ROUTE.
Memorandum by the S e c r e t a r y of State f o r A i r .
C P . 164 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
( S i g n e d ) FRANCIS HEMMING,
for
S e c r e t a r y to the C a b i n e t .
, Whitehall Gardens,
21st August,
S.VV.1.,
1935.
^m^nOCUMENT I S THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT)
E T.
COPY NO.
0. A B I N E T
42 ( 5 5 ) .
CONCLUSIONS o f a M e e t i n g o f the Cabinet h e l d a t
10, Downing S t r e e t , S . W . 1 , on THURSDAY, 22nd
A u g u s t , 1955, at 10.0 a.m. and c o n t i n u e d at
2.30 p.m.
PRESENT:
The R i g h t Hon. S t a n l e y B a l d w i n , M . P . ,
Prime M i n i s t e r .
( i n the C h a i r ) .
The Right Hon.
IJ. Ramsay MacDonald, M . P . ,
I Lord P r e s i d e n t o f t h e C o u n c i l .
The R i g h t Hon.
N e v i l l e Chamberlain, M . P . ,
. C h a n c e l l o r o f the Exchequer.
bie Right Hon.
The V i s c o u n t H a i l s h a m ,
I Lord C h a n c e l l o r .
The R i g h t Hon.
S i r John Simon, G . C . S . I . , K . C . V . 0 .
0 . 3 . E . , K . C . , M . P . , Secretary of
S t a t e f o r Home A f f a i r s .
The Right Hon.
if Sir Samuel H o a r e , B t . , C C S . I . ,
IJG.B.E., C.M.G. , M . P . , S e c r e t a r y
I! of S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s .
The Most Hon.
The M a r q u e 8 8 o f L o n d o n d e r r y ,
KEG. , M . V . O . , L o r d P r i v y S e a l .
me Right Hon.
The Viscount H a l i f a x , K.G. ,
G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., Secretary
l l of S t a t e f o r f a r .
The R i g h t Hon.
J . H . Thomas, M . P . ,
S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r Dominion
Affairs.
l i e Right Hon.
Sir P h i l i p C u n l i f f e - L i s t e r ,
G.B.:
M . C , M.P. , S e c r e t a r y
I of S t a t e f o r A i r .
The Most Hon.
The Marquess o f Z e t l a n d ,
G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., Secretary
State f o r India.
Pie Right Hon.
I Sir Godfrey C o l l i n s , K . B . E . ,
i c . N . G . , M.P., Secretary of
I State f o r S c o t l a n d .
The R i g h t Hon.
Malcolm MacDonald, M . P . ,
Secretary of State f o r the
Colonies.
The Right Hon.
8 W a l t e r Runciman, M.P. ,
j President o f t h e Board o f T r a d e .
The Right Hon.
S i r B o l t o n Eyres M o n s e l l ,
F i r s t Lord of the
M.P.
Admiralty,
Ppae Right Hon.
Anthony Eden, M . C ,
*/:'
M i n i s t e r f o r League ox n a t i o n s
j j Affairs.
The R i g h t Hon.
L o r d Eustace P e r c y ,
M i n i s t e r without P o r t f o l i o .
jBfflie Right Hon.
.
Walter u i l l i o t , M . C , ' ^ ' '
Minister o f A g r i c u l t u r e ana
iOi f i s h e r i e s .
The R i g h t Hon.
O l i v e r S t a n l e y , M . C . , M.P. ,
P r e s i d e n t o f the Board o f
Education.
-The Right Hon.
B S i r K i n g s l e y wood, M.P.
B Minister of H e a l t h .
The R i g h t Hon.
E r n e s t Brown, M . C . , M.P. ,
M i n i s t e r o f Labour.
m
t
0
M
9
l
o
n
B
G.B.E.,
The R i g h t Hon.
W. Ormsby-Gore, M.P. ,
F i r s t Commissioner o f Works.
tit
1 0 1 1 6 1
S
l
r
i'i.P.A. Hankey, G . C . B . , G. C M . G. ,
G.CV.O.
of
Secretary.
jpllNIA.
lj l
1
policy.
a
-"tude to be
LTi at the
Igue of
lions.
I
evious
ference:
Ibinet 41 ( 3 5 )
anblusion 1 ) . .
pfi
' "\
r
*
T
h
e
C a b i n e t h e l d an emergency m e e t i n g
t h e R e c e s s t o c o n s i d e r the s i t u a t i o n
failure
of
t h e T h r e e Power C o n f e r e n c e
r e a c h agreements
by the C h i e f s
of
State
of S t a f f
policy
in Paris
and t h e
The C a b i n e t
the
to
raised
Secretary
which are d e a l t w i t h
in
sat from 1 0 . 0 a,m.
and a g a i n from 2.30 p.m.
The f i r s t
7
Sub-Committee
for Foreign Affairs
12.45 p.m.
out o f
as w e l l s s c e r t a i n u r g e n t m a t t e r s
l a t e r Conclusions.
to
arising
during
t o 4 . 3 0 p.m.
s u b j e c t d i s c u s s e d was the
t o be a d o p t e d by the R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
U n i t e d Kingdom at f o r t h c o m i n g m e e t i n g s at
general
of
the
Geneva.
The p a p e r s t h a t had been c i r c u l a t e d
bearing
on t h i s p a r t o f t h e d i s c u s s i o n , were as f o l l o w s : Copy o f a p e r s o n a l and s e c r e t t e l e g r a m d a t e d 17th
A u g u s t , 1935, from the M i n i s t e r f o r League o f
Nations A f f a i r s t o the S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r
Foreign A f f a i r s .
C P . 163 ( 5 5 ) .
N o t e by the S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s
c o v e r i n g a R e p o r t by an I n t e r - D e p a r t m e n t a l Committee
on B r i t i s h I n t e r e s t s i n E t h i o p i a .
C P . 161 ( 3 5 ) .
N o t e by the S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s ,
c o v e r i n g a Memorandum by the F o r e i g n O f f i c e on
c e r t a i n points f o r consideration in connection
w i t h t h e d i s c u s s i o n s between t h e U n i t e d Kingdom,
France and I t a l y .
C P . 162 ( 3 5 ) .
N o t e by t h e A c t i n g S e c r e t a r y , c o v e r i n g t h e R e v i s e d
D r a f t R e p o r t on Economic P r e s s u r e on I t a l y p r e p a r e d
by t h e Sub-Committee on Economic P r e s s u r e o f t h e
Committee o f I m p e r i a l D e f e n c e .
C P . 169 ( 3 5 ) .
N o t e by the S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s
c o v e r i n g a Memorandum by t h e F o r e i g n O f f i c e on t h e
p r o b l e m s l i k e l y t o a r i s e i n the e v e n t o f t h e o u t ­
b r e a k o f war between I t a l y and A b y s s i n i a . C P . 167(35).
N o t e by the S e c r e t a r y , c o v e r i n g t h e C o n c l u s i o n s o f
a M e e t i n g h e l d a t 10, Downing S t r e e t , on Tuesday,
6 t h A u g u s t , 1935.
C P . 159 ( 3 5 ) .
N o t e s (unnumbered) of c o n v e r s a t i o n s between t h e
S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s and a
number o f p o l i t i c a l l e a d e r s i n c l u d i n g those i n
opposit ion.
The M i n i s t e r f o r l e a g u e
the Cabinet a c h r o n o l o g i c a l
p r o c e e d i n g s at
elaborated
of N a t i o n s A f f a i r s
account
of
the e v e n t s and
t h e Three Power C o n f e r e n c e
i n which he
i n a c o n n e c t e d form the i n f o r m a t i o n
communicated t o t h e C a b i n e t
gave
already
i n h i s t e l e g r a m s from P a r i s .
The S e c r e t a r y o f
after
paying a t r i b u t e
Minister for
State for Foreign
Affairs,
t o t h e work i n P a r i s
League o f N a t i o n s A f f a i r s ,
had a c t e d i n the l e t t e r
and the s p i r i t
p o l i c y and had conducted a d i f f i c u l t
of
who, he
of
the
of the P a r i s meetings.
p r o c e d u r e which was l i k e l y
negotiation in
After
to be
followed at
of
of
the
the
describing
in accordance w i t h a p p r o p r i a t e A r t i c l e s
and i n c l u d i n g
said,
Cabinet's
b e s t p o s s i b l e manner, g a v e an a p p r e c i a t i o n o f
results
the
the
Geneva
the
Covenant
the R e s o l u t i o n s a d o p t e d by t h e Assembly
the League o f N a t i o n s i n 1921 as r u l e s f o r
recommended t o
the C o u n c i l and t h e Members o f
League i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h the a p p l i c a t i o n
he g a v e the C a b i n e t
the b e n e f i t
guidance
the
of A r t i c l e
o f h i s a d v i c e as
to
the p o l i c y t o be f o l l o w e d which was a d o p t e d s u b j e c t
certain
IS,
to
modifications.
The C a b i n e t
then d i s c u s s e d the q u e s t i o n i n a l l
its bearings, p o l i t i c a l
opinion),
(including British
international, military
The q u e s t i o n o f
public
and economic.
the p r o c e d u r e l i k e l y
Geneva was c a r e f u l l y
t o be f o l l o w e d
i n v e s t i g a t e d and t h e s t a g e
which the q u e s t i o n of
j
Sanctions might a r i s e ,
at
at
that
is
to
s a y , a f t e r war had broken out and the C o u n c i l had made
a report
on the m a t t e r ,
received exhaustive
The m a t t e r was d i s c u s s e d from the p o i n t
probable e f f e c t i v e n e s s
on t h e a t t i t u d e ,
first,
League o f N a t i o n s , a n d ,
like
the United S t a t e s
the
o f the n a t i o n s members o f
second, on t h a t
of g r e a t
the
nations
of A m e r i c a , Germany, Japan and
The
re­
o f S a n c t i o n s on our own t r a d e and f i n a n c e
and
on n a t i v e
the L e a g u e .
opinion in African Colonies
a d v e r s e l y a f f e c t e d by t h e n e g l e c t
or i f
of view of
o f S a n c t i o n s w h i c h w o u l d depend
B r a z i l which a r e n o t members o f
actions
study.
( w h i c h would b e
to apply
the Sanctions proved i n e f f e c t i v e )
Sanctions,
were a l s o
taken
into account.
Their effect on Italian opinion, the
remoterpossibility that they might precipitate some
sudden action by Italy against British interests, and their
effect on the future relations between Italy and the United
Kingdom were brought under reviev/.
In the course of' the discussion many references
were made to the grave effects on our diplomacy of our
present military weakness.
The Cabinet, who were most anxious if possible
to avoid
a war with Italy which it was generally
recognised would be a grave calamity, agreed:­
(a)
That the Delegates of the United Kingdom at
the forthcoming meetings at Geneva should
be authorised to reaffirm the statements
that had been made in Parliament as to our
intention to fulfil our Treaty obligations;
(b)
That they should keep in step with the
policy of the French Government, and, more
particularly in the natter of Sanctions,
they should avoid any commitment which France
was not equally prepared to assume;
(c)
That they should have authority to make our
policy in these respects clear at such tine
and on such occasion as theymight deem to he
best;
(d)
That they should ain at following closely
the procedure laid down in the Covenant
(with the interpretations adopted by the
Assembly in 1921) not in any quixotic spirit,
and with due regard to the many difficulties.
They should be careful to avoid trying to
force nations to go further than they were
willing, and generally should make it clear
that the question of Sanctions was one which
the Members of the League had to examine in
co-operation, and with a view to collective
action. They should be on their guard against
the possibility that other nations night not
in practice fulfil their co::'nitnents;
(e)
That if war should break out between Italy
and Abyssinia bringing the Council to the
stage where Sanctions had to be considered,
the United Kingdom Delegates should be
p a r t i c u l a r l y c a r e f u l t o keep i n
w i t h M i n i s t e r s i n London.
(f)
touch
That the usual l a t i t u d e s h o u l d be g i v e n
t o the R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f the U n i t e d
Kingdom as t o t h e manner i n which t h e y
c a r r i e d out t h e i r t a s k which was
r e c o g n i s e d t o be one o f p e c u l i a r
difficulty.
The S e c r e t a r y
2.
ySSlNIA-
of
State for Foreign
r e p o r t e d t h a t the n e g o t i a t i o n s w i t h o t h e r
Supply of
Ins t o .
on the q u e s t i o n of
issuing licences
for
Affairs
countries
the
exportation
o f arms and m u n i t i o n s o f war t o A b y s s i n i a had come
ftpeviouG
leference:
Satinet 41 ( 3 5 )
Conclusion
l).
to nothing,
whether
and the q u e s t i o n ,
the C a b i n e t
therefore,
a r o s e as
s h o u l d change t h e i r
policy.
The s u b j e c t was d i s c u s s e d a t some
In favour
licences
this
of withdrawing
i t was p o i n t e d out t h a t p u b l i c o p i n i o n
of
the p o l i t i c a l
i n the A f r i c a n
the p o l i c y
had b e e n i n f a v o u r
In a d d i t i o n , n a t i v e
C o l o n i e s was s t a t e d t o be
of refusing
Secretary
had c o n s u l t e d on the
general question of Abyssinia,
w i t h d r a w i n g the embargo.
in
subject.
l e a d e r s , whom the
of State f o r Foreign A f f a i r s
of
length.
t h e embargo on
c o u n t r y was s t r o n g l y moved on the
Several
licences,
critical
considering
it
this
t o A b y s s i n i a who was n o t o r i o u s l y
The c o n t i n u a n c e o f
criticism.
in India.
treat
the p o l i c y would
the continuance
of
extent
suggested,
sign
B r i t i s h s h i p s were known t o b e
to
Djibouti,
and i t was s u g g e s t e d t h a t our p o l i c y w o u l d be
as i n c o n s i s t e n t
if
In favour
of
i t was p o i n t e d o u t
we s t i l l
refused
continuing to
t o grant
refuse
t h a t i f we changed our
we s h o u l d be t h e o n l y l a r g e
regarded
licences.
licences,
policy
c o u n t r y t h a t had
M. L a v a l had t o l d Mr. Eden i n
t h a t t h e French Government d i d n o t i n t e n d t o
policy.
increase
t h e p o l i c y as a f u r t h e r
t r a n s p o r t i n g arms from o t h e r c o u n t r i e s
the embargo.
ill-
The same might a p p l y t o some
S i g n o r M u s s o l i n i w o u l d , i t was
o f weakness.
its
self­
i n t h e m a t t e r o f war m a t e r i a l , and
detrimental
armed.
of
opinion
as a p o l i c y which f a v o u r e d I t a l y who i s l a r g e l y
dependent
to
raised
Paris
change
A l t h o u g h M. L a v a l had n o t o b j e c t e d
to
a s u g g e s t i o n t h a t we might change our p o l i c y ,
the
"by
C a b i n e t was s t r o n g l y moved/the c o n s i d e r a t i o n
i t was u n d e s i r a b l e w i t h i n a f o r t n i g h t
of
m e e t i n g a t Geneva t o a d o p t a d i f f e r e n t
Prance i n t h i s
the
policy
m a t t e r , more e s p e c i a l l y
as
that to grant
e x p o r t o f war m a t e r i a l ,
licences
for
from
our
g e n e r a l p o l i c y was t o a c t w i t h the F r e n c h .
suggested also
that
I t was
the
even though such g r a n t would
be a l l o w e d t o b o t h c o u n t r i e s , might s e r v e as a
pretext,
for
if
S i g n o r M u s s o l i n i was l o o k i n g f o r
an I t a l i a n
coup-de-main a g a i n s t B r i t i s h
A change o f p o l i c y would n o t r e a l l y
Abyssinia
quantities
as she c o u l d n o t pay f o r
o f arms.
one,
interests,
benefit
any
considerable
Moreover, before
r e a c h her i t was n o t i m p r o b a b l e t h a t
arms c o u l d
hostilities
m i g h t b r e a k out i n which case I t a l y w o u l d be
e n t i t l e d to exercise
native
right
of
o p i n i o n i n the A f r i c a n C o l o n i e s ,
suggested that i f
As
regards
it
was
the embargo were taken o f f
arms d i d n o t r e a c h A b y s s i n i a ,
broke
search.
or i f
and
hostilities
out and t h e arms w e r e i n t e r c e p t e d by the
Italians,
continuing
the e f f e c t
would be even w o r s e
the p r e s e n t p o l i c y .
I t was
than
suggested
a l s o t h a t a change o f p o l i c y would convey an
i m p r e s s i o n t h a t we had abandoned a l l
pacific
issue of the Italo-.Abyssinian
hope o f a
dispute
­
though t h e C a b i n e t r e c o g n i s e d t h a t t h e r e was no
l o n g e r much p r o s p e c t
stated
that even i f
was n o t l i k e l y
part
of a p a c i f i c
issue.
l i c e n c e s were g r a n t e d ,
t o be any rush f o r
there
them on t h e
o f m a n u f a c t u r e r s who w e r e dubious o f
payment.
I t was
getting
During the meeting the Suonatary of JSt^o
for
Foreign A f f a i r s
announced t h a t he hapV^ust
r e c e i v e d a t e l e g r a m from Abyss inijx-^tTo
the
effect
t h a t an I t a l i a n Vice-Consxh^^who happened t o b e
the son-in-law of
Ababa,
th-e^British M i n i s t e r
at Addis
h a c ^ J ^ , e h s h o t i n the c h e s t b y an A b y s s i n i a n
and thi--s^was f e l t
On b a l a n c e ,
t o r e n d e r i n o p p o r t u n e an immediate
the Cabinet
agreed:
( a ) That no change i n p o l i c y
made a t p r e s e n t
should be
0
(b)
NOTE:
That i n t h e o v e r t o f some new f a c t o r
a r i s i n g -which r e n d e r e d d & s i r a b l e a
r e - e x a m i n a t i o n of the q u e s t i o n , the
Secretary of State f o r Foreign A f f a i r s
s h o u l d b r i n g the m a t t e r b e f o r e the
C a b i n e t Committee r e f e r r e d t o i n the
f i n a l Conclusion..
For the announcement t o be made i n
r e s p e c t of" t h i s m a t t e r , s e e C o n c l u s i o n
The C a b i n e t a d j o u r n e d f o r an hour and a h a l f
at t h i s p o i n t .
5.
kTALO-ABYSSIIUAN
blSPUTE.
3.
The C a b i n e t had. b e f o r e
the C h i e f s
of S t a f f
them a Memorandum b y
Sub-Committee
(CP.
)efence measures
c o v e r i n g a R e p o r t by the J o i n t P l a n n i n g
ivtain
indicating
-eguired i n
ftances.
circnm­
previous
Reference:
aWnet 41 ( 3 5 )
onclusion 1 ) .
if
166
Sub-Committee
d e f e n c e measures w h i c h would be
i t appeared l i k e l y
that I t a l y
the b i t between her t e e t h .
1935,
(CP.
required
intended to
take
T h i s Memorandum had
been p r e p a r e d i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h d i r e c t i o n s
by a C o n f e r e n c e
(35))
given
o f M i n i s t e r s h e l d on t h e 6 t h A u g u s t ,
159 ( 3 5 ) .
Naval Measures.
A f t e r i n d i c a t i n g certain comparatively unobtrusive
measures which t h e A d m i r a l t y were t a k i n g ( p a r a . 5 )
6 ) the f o l l o w ­
the Sub-Committee summarised ( p a r a
i n g p o i n t s f o r which C a b i n e t a u t h o r i t y would b e
necessary:
0
£At-.-.'-'
(a)
The p r e s e n t programme o f t h e Home F l e e t
i s t o l e a v e i t s Home p o r t s on 9th S e p t ­
ember and c r u i s e i n B r i t i s h w a t e r s ­
t h i s programme i s common k n o w l e d g e .
U n l e s s a f t e r the d i s c u s s i o n w i t h France
n e x t week t h e r e i s no chance o f a c t i o n
b e i n g r e q u i r e d a g a i n s t I t a l y , the A d m i r a l t y
p r o p o s e t h a t the Home F l e e t s h a l l l e a v e
t h e i r Home P o r t s as soon as the l e a v e
p e r i o d i s o v e r (August 2 9 t h ) , and
concentrate at P o r t l a n d ready to s a i l f o r
G i b r a l t a r and c e r t a i n u n i t s t o j o i n t h e .
Commander-in-Chief, M e d i t e r r a n e a n .
In o r d e r t h a t t h i s may be done i t would be
n e c e s s a r y t o inform the F l e e t by
23rd August and c e r t a i n e a r l i e r s t e p s i n
c o n n e c t i o n w i t h p a r t i c u l a r v e s s e l s would
have t o be taken as soon as p o s s i b l e ­
t h e s e e a r l i e r s t e p s would n o t n e c e s s a r i l y
cause much comment.
(b)
I t has b e e n shown t h a t in t h e e v e n t o f
s e r i o u s a c t i o n a g a i n s t I t a l y i t would be
n e c e s s a r y t o c o m p l e t e the Home and
M e d i t e r r a n e a n F l e e t s t o f u l l complement
and t o b r i n g f o r w a r d the R e s e r v e F l e e t .
T h i s i n v o l v e s m o b i l i s a t i o n which p r o c e s s
t a k e s about 7 days and would i n e v i t a b l y
cause much comment.
The A d m i r a l t y , how­
e v e r , a t t a c h g r e a t importance t o an e a r l y
d e c i s i o n t o m o b i l i s e should the s i t u a t i o n
become menacing, as u n t i l t h i s i s done
a l l N a v a l measures must be i n c o m p l e t e .
Army M e a s u r e s .
The Sub-Committee recommended t h a t
s h o u l d be g i v e n ­
(c)
authority
to despatch a n t i - a i r c r a f t guns, search­
l i g h t s , p e r s o n n e l and ammunition t o
M a l t a and A d e n , ( p a r a . 7 ) :
(1)
Air
t o move two a d d i t i o n a l
to Malta, (para. 1 0 ) :
Battalions
Force Measures.
The Sub-Committee recommended t h a t
s h o u l d be g i v e n ­
authority
(e)
t o p l a c e the r e i n f o r c i n g a i r c o n t i n g e n t
on a m o b i l e b a s i s , ( p a r a , l l ) :
(f)
t o c o l l e c t and d e s p a t c h c e r t a i n
to s e l e c t e d bases, (para. 1 1 ) :
supplies
General
The Sub-Committee p a r t i c u l a r l y
desired
­
(g)
t o c a l l a t t e n t i o n t o the g e n e r a l s t r a t e ­
g i c a l s i t u a t i o n w h i c h might a r i s e as
the consequence o f war a g a i n s t I t a l y ,
(para. 1 3 ) :
(h)
t o emphasise the f o l l o w i n g s t a t e m e n t
i n the J o i n t P l a n n i n g S u b - C o m m i t t e e ^
R e p o r t , ( p a r a . 14) ­
" A t l e a s t two months' n o t i c e i s
r e q u i r e d b e f o r e a l l our f o r c e s
can be c o n s i d e r e d as a b l e e f f e c t i v e l y
to co-operate
on a war b a s i s " .
(i)
t o s t r e s s t h a t the m o r a l and p o l i t i c a l
c o - o p e r a t i o n o f P r a n c e were n o t s u f f i c i e n t
and t h a t h e r a s s u r e d m i l i t a r y s u p p o r t ,
concerted w i t h Great B r i t a i n , b e f o r e
the League C o u n c i l m e e t i n g on t h e 4 t h
September n e x t , was e s s e n t i a l , ( p a r a . 1 6 ) .
The F i r s t
State for
Lord of
the i-idmiralty, the Secretary
War and t h e S e c r e t a r y
statements t o the Cabinet
affecting
their respective
of S t a t e f o r A i r made
as t o t h e v a r i o u s
proposals
Departments.
On t h e q u e s t i o n o f n a v a l measures t h e C a b i n e t
informed
it
t h a t from t h e p o i n t o f
The C a b i n e t
of
v i e w of f o r e i g n
was c o n s i d e r e d d e s i r a b l e t o r e i n f o r c e
Mediterranean F l e e t
reserves
either
at as e a r l y
policy
a d a t e as p o s s i b l e .
t h e Wavy o r Army i f
b e a v o i d e d , owing t o t h e r e s o u n d i n g e f f e c t
h a v e on p u b l i c
were
the
were s t r o n g l y opposed t o
from
of
mobilisation
this
it
could
would
o p i n i o n b o t h at home and a b r o a d .
(The F i r s t Lord of the Admiralty l e f t t h e Cabinet
room f o r a s h o r t t i m e t o c o n s u l t the F i r s t
Sea L o r d and t h e C h i e f o f t h e N a v a l S t a f f by
t e l e p h o n e as t o w h e t h e r , from a t e c h n i c a l
p o i n t o f v i e w 5, i t was f e a s i b l e and d e s i r a b l e
t o make t h e d i s p o s i t i o n s p r o p o s e d w i t h o u t
measures o f m o b i l i s a t i o n s u f f i c i e n t t o
b r i n g t h e complements o f t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n
F l e e t and Home F l e e t up t o f u l l s t r e n g t h ) .
After
considerable
d i s c u s s i o n the
Cabinet
agreed:Naval
(a)
dispositions.
That t h e A d m i r a l t y s h o u l d be a u t h o r i s e d
t o a r r a n g e f o r the Home F l e e t t o c o n ­
c e n t r a t e on August o 9 t h and t o p r o c e e d
south t o t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n .
The
g e n e r a l t r e n d o f t h e d i s c u s s i o n at t h e
C a b i n e t f a v o u r e d G i b r a l t a r r a t h e r than
M a l t a as t h e d e s t i n a t i o n o f t h e Home
F l e e t but i t was a g r e e d t h a t i f t h e
N a v a l S t a f f d e s i r e d some o t h e r d i s ­
p o s i t i o n t h e y should r e - o p e n t h e q u e s t i o n .
9
(b)
That t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n F l e e t s h o u l d be
r e i n f o r c e d a t t h e same t i m e as the
Home F l e e t p r o c e e d s south by such f o r c e s
as t h e A d m i r a l t y might deem d e s i r a b l e ,
the g e n e r a l c h a r a c t e r of which was
i n d i c a t e d t o the C a b i n e t by t h e F i r s t
Lord of the A d m i r a l t y .
(c)
That t h e A d m i r a l t y should have a u t h o r i t y
t o keep t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n F l e e t at M a l t a
u n t i l August 2 9 t h , and t h e r e a f t e r t o send
i t to the eastern Mediterranean.
( d ) That t h e F i r s t L o r d o f t h e A d m i r a l t y
s h o u l d be a u t h o r i s e d t o n o t i f y the
Commander-in-Chief o f t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n
of t h e d e c i s i o n r e c o r d e d i n ( c ) a b o v e ,
and t o i n s t r u c t him n o t t o r i g the a n t i ­
submarine boom at M a l t a .
(e)
That t h e w h o l e o f t h e above s h o u l d be
subject t o the d e c i s i o n that t h e r e
should be no m o b i l i s a t i o n o f n a v a l r e ­
s e r v e s at t h e p r e s e n t t i m e or u n t i l
f u r t h e r C a b i n e t a u t h o r i t y was o b t a i n e d .
R o y a l A i r F o r c e measures.
(f)
That t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r A i r
should be a u t h o r i s e d to arrange f o r f i v e
squadrons o f the R o y a l A i r F o r c e i n t h e
M i d d l e East Command each t o be i n c r e a s e d
by s i x a i r c r a f t and s i x p i l o t s from home.
T h i s would i n v o l v e sending- some t h i r t y
f i r s t - l i n e a i r c r a f t as w e l l as a c e r t a i n
number o f r e s e r v e machines ( i n c l u d i n g some
bombers and some, f i g h t e r s ) t o t h e M i d d l e
East Command.
T h i s w o u l d be an un­
o b t r u s i v e m e a s u r e , as t h e a i r c r a f t would
b e s h i p p e d a t B i r k e n h e a d , from which p o r t
f r e q u e n t shipments a r e made.
(g)
That i n a d d i t i o n t h e s e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e
f o r A i r s h o u l d h e a u t h o r i s e d t o send a
squadron o f a i r c r a f t t o M a l t a i f t h e
A d m i r a l t y should so d e s i r e .
Anti-aircraft
guns and s e a r c h l i g h t s
for
Malta.
( h ) That t h e q u e s t i o n o f sending a d d i t i o n a l
a n t i - a i r c r a f t guns and s e a r c h l i g h t s ,
with the necessary personnel (not
i n v o l v i n g m o b i l i s a t i o n ) , t o Malta should
he r e m i t t e d f o r d e c i s i o n t o t h e C a b i n e t
Committee r e f e r r e d t o below i n
C o n c l u s i o n 6.
The Committee was i n ­
v i t e d t o consider with the C h i e f s of
S t a f f whether i t was worth w h i l e t o
i n c r e a s e t h e armament o f an i s l a n d so
exposed as i s M a l t a t o a t t a c l c from I t a l y .
Battalions for
Malta.
(i)
That a d d i t i o n a l b a t t a l i o n s s h o u l d n o t
sent t o M a l t a i f t h i s i n v o l v e d t h e
c a l l i n g up of r e s e r v e s f o r them.
be
(3)
That i f t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r war
s h o u l d wish t o c o n t e m p l a t e t h e d e s p a t c h
t o M a l t a o f any f o r c e o f i n f a n t r y w i t h o u t
r e s e r v e s he s h o u l d b r i n g t h e m a t t e r
b e f o r e t h e C a b i n e t Committee r e f e r r e d
t o i n C o n c l u s i o n ( h ) a b o v e , which would
examine i t i n t e r a l i a from t h e same
p o i n t o f v i e w as i n t h e c a s e o f guns and
searchlights.
ABYSSINIA.
4.
The Home S e c r e t a r y r a i s e d
would he the p o s i t i o n , i f
The f l y i n g
of I t a l i a n
aeroplanes
across
Egypt.
I t a l y and A b y s s i n i a ,
the q u e s t i o n o f
what
war were to b r e a k out between
as t o the f l y i n g
of
Italian
aeroplanes over Egypt.
The S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n
Affaire
u n d e r t o o k t o send the Hone S e c r e t a r y a n o t e on the
subject.
ABYSSINIA.
5.
The C a b i n e t were informed, t h a t t h e i r
Public
announcement.
had. o c c a s i o n e d v e r y g r e a t p u b l i c
t h e P r e s s would b e p a r t i c u l a r l y
receiving
some n o t i f i c a t i o n
interest,
insistent
meeting
and t h a t
on'
o f what had b e e n
discussed.
After
c o n s i d e r a t i o n the C a b i n e t a g r e e d : ­ i
(a)
That the News Department of the Foreign
O f f i c e should see the P r e s s i n accordance
w i t h t h e i r usual p r a c t i c e , and that the
S e c r e t a r y of State f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s
should see i n d i v i d u a l l y the r e p r e s e n t a ­
t i v e s of c e r t a i n s e l e c t e d p a p e r s ;
(b)
That the p u b l i c announcement s h o u l d be
t o the e f f e c t t h a t no f u r t h e r d e v e l o p ­
ments a r e t o be e x p e c t e d d u r i n g the
n e x t few d a y s , and. t h a t no f u r t h e r
m e e t i n g o f t h e C a b i n e t has b e e n f i x e d .
C e r t a i n M i n i s t e r s who w i l l be i n London,
or w i t h i n r e a c h , w i l l be a v a i l a b l e t o
meet and. d e a l w i t h any p o i n t s which may
require decision.
I t s h o u l d be added
t h a t t h e C a b i n e t had. r e c e i v e d a r e p o r t
on the P a r i s C o n v e r s a t i o n s .
No change
i n Government p o l i c y had b e e n made from
t h a t adopted, a t the P a r i s C o n f e r e n c e ,
o r as r e g a r d s the League o f N a t i o n s , or
i n the m a t t e r o f the i s s u e o f l i c e n c e s
f o r the e x p o r t a t i o n o f arms and. m u n i t i o n s
of war.
ABYSSINIA.
5.
The C a b i n e t were informed, t h a t t h e i r
public
announcement.
had. o c c a s i o n e d v e r y g r e a t p u b l i c
t h e P r e s s would b e p a r t i c u l a r l y
receiving
some n o t i f i c a t i o n
interest,
insistent
meeting
and
that
on '
o f what had b e e n
discussed.
After
c o n s i d e r a t i o n the C a b i n e t
agreed:­
(a)
That i t was inadvi-sa&le—matjtb^e
S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e for^Fsc^&i^a
A f f a i r s should see^th-e^representatives
o f t h e P r e s s ^ j & e l l e c t i v e l y , and t h a t
any ap&ettfScement s h o u l d be made through
ttee-4asual channels-;
(b)
That t h e p u b l i c announcement s h o u l d be
t o t h e e f f e c t t h a t no f u r t h e r d e y e l p p ­
ments a r e t o be e x p e c t e d d u r i n g the
n e x t few d a y s , and t h a t no f u r t h e r
m e e t i n g o f t h e C a b i n e t has b e e n f i x e d .
C e r t a i n M i n i s t e r s who w i l l be i n Lond.on,
or w i t h i n r e a c h , w i l l b e a v a i l a b l e t o
meet and d e a l w i t h any p o i n t s which may
require decision.
I t s h o u l d be added
t h a t t h e C a b i n e t had r e c e i v e d a r e p o r t
on the P a r i s C o n v e r s a t i o n s .
No change
i n Government p o l i c y had been made f r o m
t h a t a d o p t e d a t the P a r i s C o n f e r e n c e ,
o r as r e g a r d s the League of N a t i o n s , or
i n the m a t t e r of the i s s u e o f l i c e n c e s
f o r the e x p o r t a t i o n o f arms and m u n i t i o n s
of war.
t. y g r K i A .
6.
The C a b i n e t
(a)
.,.
* aneemcnts.
­
d t
f
agreed:
That the Committee on D e f e n c e P o l i c y
and Requirements under t h e p r e s i d e n c y
o f the Prime M i n i s t e r (whose p l a c e would
be taken d u r i n g h i s absence "by the u s u a l
Chairman, namely, the L o r d P r e s i d e n t o f
the C o u n c i l ) , s h o u l d be i n v i t e d t o
c o n s i d e r any m a t t e r t h a t m i g h t a r i s e
i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h the I t a l o - A b y s s i n i a n
dispute.
J.
(b.) That i n a d d i t i o n t o the prime M i n i s t e r ,
the f e l l o w i n g M i n i s t e r s s h o u l d b e added
t o t h e Committee f o r the p u r p o s e s o f
this inquiry A
The Home S e c r e t a r y ,
The S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r
Colonies.
the
(c)
That during t h e R e c e s s the Prime M i n i s t e r
or L o r d P r e s i d e n t o f the C o u n c i l s h o u l d be
a u t h o r i s e d t o h o l d m e e t i n g s w i t h such
M i n i s t e r s as were i m m e d i a t e l y a v a i l a b l e .
(d)
That f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f the m a t t e r s
r e f e r r e d to in Conclusion 3 ( h )
the Committee should meet on t h e f o l l o w i n g
m o r n i n g , F r i d a y , A u g u s t 2 3 r d , a t 10.0 a.m.
I
The f u l l membership o f the Committee f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n
o f i i b y s s i n i a n m a t t e r s w i l l , t h e r e f o r e , be as
follows:
The
The
The
The
The
The
The
The
The
The
The
Prime M i n i s t e r ,
L o r d P r e s i d e n t o f the C o u n c i l ,
C h a n c e l l o r o f the E x c h e q u e r ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s ,
F i r s t L o r d of the A d m i r a l t y ,
S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r War,
Secretary of State f o r A i r ,
P r e s i d e n t o f the Board o f T r a d e ,
M i n i s t e r f o r League o f N a t i o n s A f f a i r s ,
Home S e c r e t a r y ,
S e c r e t a r y of State f o r the C o l o n i e s .
Expert
advisers:
The C h i e f s of S t a f f
Services.
of
the t h r e e
Defence
!:.i.U
1
m
BSTABLISHOF THE
jg^NTlC A I R
IKOUTB.
7. The C a b i n e t had b e f o r e
the S e c r e t a r y
of
them a Memorandum by
State for A i r
recommending
c e r t a i n s t e p s s h o u l d be t a x e n f o r
F.R.
of
the A t l a n t i c A i r R o u t e .
sought t h e agreement o f
)0
the
.
-
that
establishment
The S e c r e t a r y
of
the C a b i n e t on the
State
following
main p r i n c i p l e s : ­
(l)
That t h e s u b s i d y n e c e s s a r y f o r the o p e r a t i o n
o f the t r a n s - A t l a n t i c r o u t e s h a l l b e
provided:
(2)
That n e g o t i a t i o n s w i t h t h e I r i s h F r e e
Government s h o u l d be p r e s s e d f o r w a r d :
(3)
That f i n a n c i a l a s s i s t a n c e i n a form t o be
d e c i d e d l a t e r , towards the p r o v i s i o n o f a
base i n t h e I r i s h F r e e S t a t e s h o u l d b e
given.
The C h a n c e l l o r
of
the Exchequer i n f o r m e d
C a b i n e t t h a t he had n o t had an o p p o r t u n i t y
the f i n a n c i a l
aspects
of
these
I n these c i r c u m s t a n c e s ,
f o r A i r undertook to r e s e r v e
next meeting of
the
1 '
2, W h i t e h a l l G a r d e n s , S. w". 1. ,
22nd A u g u s t ,
1935.
Cabinet.
to
State
the
consider
proposals.
the S e c r e t a r y
of
the question u n t i l
State
the
TS pnrUTMENT IS T H E PROPERTY OF H I S BRITANNIC MAJESTY S G-OVEENMEN
?
1
EF
c^^LlJJ^l
C A B I N E T .
THE ITALO-ABYSSINIAN DISPUTE.
j\ otes o f a M e e t i n g o f M i n i s t e r s , h e l d a t No. 1 0 , Downing
S t r e e t , S . W . I . , on MONDAY, 2 3 r d SEPTEMBER, 1935,
a t 4 . 0 p.m.
T
P R E S E N T :
The R i g h t Hon. S t a n l e y B a l d w i n , M . P . ,
Prime M i n i s t e r .
( i n the C h a i r ) .
The Right Hon.
J. Ramsay MacDonald, M.P. ,
Lord p r e s i d e n t o f t h e C o u n c i l .
The R i g h t Hon.
N e v i l l e Chamberlain, M . P . ,
C h a n c e l l o r o f the Exchequer,
The Right Hon.
The R i g h t Hon.
! Sir John Simon, C C S . I . , K . C . V . C ,
S i r Samuel H o a r e , B t . , G.C.S.I.,
!:;! O.B.E, , K . C . , M . P . , S e c r e t a r y
G.B.E., C M . C , M.P. , Secretary
I of State f o r Home A f f a i r s .
of State f o r Foreign A f f a i r s .
Iif
0 n e
l S i r M.P.A.
Hankey, G . C . B . , G.C.M.G. , G.C.V. 0. , S e c r e t a r y . - t o . the
Cabinet.
M i n i s t e r s had b e f o r e them a d r a f t
t o t h e French Ambassador,
French request, f o r
British attitude
Note
prepared i n r e p l y
an a s s u r a n c e r e g a r d i n g
i n t h e event
Furope or o f an i n f r a c t i o n
(
Appendix)
to
the
the
of a r e s o r t
future
to force
o f t h e Covenant by
in
another
European Pow e r .
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ed t h a t h i s N o t e was based on h i s
League Assembly
the declarations
own s p e e c h at
explain­
the
on September 11th,. 1935, and r e p e a t e d
he then made i n o t h e r
language.
T.FIF LORD RRRSIDW^ OF THE COUNCIL, as a g e n e r a l
observation,
thought
that the Note set
forth
our v i e w
w i t h r a t h e r t o o much warmth, and t h a t some o f
phrases were s u s c e p t i b l e
of a d i v e r s i t y
of
the
meaning.
He q u o t e d as an i l l u s t r a t i o n a s e n t e n c e i n t h e
p a r a g r a ph 5,
revised
viz.:­
"That p o l i c y seems, m o r e o v e r , t o be t h e
o n l y one consonant w i t h t h e f u l f i l m e n t
o f the o b l i g a t i o n s contained in the
C o v e n a n t , o b l i g a t i o n s which w e r e
d e l i b e r a t e l y g i v e n t h e most solemn
form and. t i t l e and made t o o v e r - r u l e
a l l other i n t e r n a t i o n a l o b l i g a t i o n s ,
and c o n s e q u e n t l y i t i s d i f f i c u l t t o
c o n c e i v e o f f u t u r e Governments a d o p t ­
ing a d i f f e r e n t p o l i c y . "
A. French
thought
c r i t i c m i g h t say
"What about
Japan?"
He
t h e p a s s a g e was sound i n s u b s t a n c e but was
rather too enthusiastic
in
expression.
TFF HOMF SFORFTARY s a i d i t was open t o t h e comment
that
t h e w h o l e Paper had t o do w i t h a r e s o r t
i n E u r o p e , as was made c l e a r
in the f i r s t
THE LORD PRESIDENT p o i n t e d
was not
included
emphasising that p o i n t ,
out t h a t
but t h a t
to
force
paragraph.
t h e Government
t h e Covenant
Japan.
THE SECRETARY OF S^AfE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS s a i d
that
if
t h e N o t e was confined, t o Europe,
outside of
upset.
Furope,
In reply
other
countries
i n c l u d i n g t h e Dominions, would b e
t o t h e C h a n c e l l o r o f t h e Exchequer
h e t h o u g h t t h e p a s s a g e had. been i n t e r p o l a t e d
to
emphasise t h a t w h i l e t h e p r e s e n t
only pledge i t s e l f . ,
that
the outburst
o t h e r Governments would
in
Government
order
could
o f p u b l i c o p i n i o n showed
in a l l
probability
do t h e
same.
THE CFANCRLLOt? OF THE EXOPPQUKP, p o i n t e d
t h a t was i n t h e o r i g i n a l
President's
draft.
i d e a was worth
out
that
**e thought t h e Lord
considering.
THE HOME SPORT?" ARY asked what was t h e m a t t e r
the original
with
draft?
The S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e -for F o r e i g n
A f f a i r s undertook t o look at t h i s
p a s s a g e a g a i n and t o c o n s i d e r t h e
observations of his colleagues .
THE HOME SECRETARY thought t h e passage was
a little
itself
Paragraph 5 r e a l l y
out o f p l a c e .
to a particular
difficulty,
B r i t i s h Governments w e r e l i k e l y
policy.
It
seemed a l i t t l e
perhaps
addressed
namely, t h a t
all
t o pursue t h e same
inconsistent
to
introduce
t h e p h r a s e about t h e p o l i c y b e i n g t h e o n l y one i n
consonance w i t h t h e f u l f i l m e n t
contained
in the
public
the
enga.gements
Covenant.
^HP LORD PRESIDENT s a i d
t h a t we spoke f o r
of
i t was a l l
right
t h e p r e s e n t Government and t h e
o p i n i o n , but h e thought i t was r a t h e r
t o speak o f f u t u r e Governments and p u b l i c
171
T F:
J
to
say
present
dangerous
opinion.
SECRETARY OF S ATP FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
m
said
that, i f h e d i d not say t h a t , h e would b e i n a r a t h e r
difficult
position.
His argument was t h a t t h e Covenant
was shown, by t h e o u t b u r s t
greater validity
in this
of public
country
TFF PRIME MINISTER thought
opinion,
t o have
that. had. been
this
point, was
M i n i s t e r s a g r e e d t h a t t h e S e c r e t a r y of
S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s should l o o k
into the matter again.
thought.
important.
Page I ,
Para.2.
THE SFCRRfARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
accepted
a suggestion
t u t e t h e word
of
t h e Poire S e c r e t a r y
"embodied"for
substi­
t h e word " e n s h r i n e d " ( f o u r
from t h e b o t t o m o f page 1) .
lines
THE LORD PRFSTDFN"
1
felt
some doubt about
s e n t e n c e a t t h e b e t em o f page 1,
growing force
-character".
t o the s t r a i n
That was a l l
but he doubted
m
to
its
of
i n a personal
advisability
of
"had a p p e a l e d
idealism in the
right
h e phrase savoured r a t h e r
the
with
British
speech,
in a diplomatic
document.
self-praise.
fRP SECRETARY O F ST AT?) ^OR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
h e would t h i n k t h i s
in this
p h r a s e o v e r , but he p o i n t e d
said
out
p a r a g r a p h he was m e r e l y r e c a l l i n g what he had
s a i d at Geneva.
adhering t o the
p
e was
%
therefore,
rather
in favour
Sir
r e a l i s e d how c l o s e l y
Samuel ^ o a r e ' ?
TFT
7
that
this
SHCRF^APY
document
Paragraph
of
passage.
""HE PRTf/F MINISTER s a i d h e h i m s e l f had not
first
that
this
original
OF Sm A T F
p a r a g r a p h did
at
follow
speech,
FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ought t o b e r e a d w i t h h i s
said
speech.
4.
"HF HOME SFGRF^ARY drew a t t e n t i o n t o t h e words
" f o r I t h i n k i t w i l l be g e n e r a l l y agreed, t h a t no
member o f t h e League could l a y down i t s p o l i c y
w i t h g r e a t e r c l a r i t y and d e c i s i o n i n advance o f
any p a r t i c u l a r case which would b r i n g t h a t p o l i c y
i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n , as i n t h e p r e s e n t c a s e , w i t h
a l l i t s f e l l o w members at G e n e v a " .
F e had no o b j e c t i o n t o t h e t
whether, a f t e r
policY
with
s a y i n g t h a t h e had a l r e a d y
clarify
and d e c i s i o n ,
t h e n e x t s e n t e n c e t o say
misunderstanding
further
p h r a s e , but h e
doubted
l a i d , down t h e
i t was a d v i s a b l e
"to avoid a l l
in
possible
I would d e m o n s t r a t e t h i s
point
with
precision".
A f t e r some d i s c u s s i o n i t was agreed, t o a l t e r
t h e l a t t e r p h r a s e t o r e a d as f o l l o w s : ­
"Your E x c e l l e n c y w i n o b s e r v e t h a t I
s p o k e , as I am now w r i t i n g , o f a l l
a c t s o f unprovoked a g g r e s s i o n " .
I t was a g r e e d t o s u b s t i t u t e f o r t h e p h r a s e "but
i s concerned w i t h a p r i n c i p l e o f i n t . e r n a t i o n a l
conduct t o which i t w i l l h o l d w i t h f i r m ,
e n d u r i n g and u n i v e r s a l p e r s i s t e n c e " , t h e
following words:­
" b u t i s concerned w i t h a g e n e r a ! p r i n c i p l e
o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l conduct t o which i t w i l l
f i r m l y h o l d so l o n g as t h e League remains
an e f f e c t i v e b o d y " .
Paragraph
5 (p--y'e 4) :
I t wr­s a g r e e d , f o r t h e words " w i l l
i n v a l i d a t e i t s e l f by l a c k o f f a i t h
e f f e c t i v e a c t i o n on b e h a l f o f , i t s
to substitute
­
not l i g h t l y
i n . and
own i d e a l s " ,
" w i l l n o t r e n d e r i t s e l f impotent by l a c k
o f f a i t h i n and. r e f u s a l o f e f f e c t i v e
a c t i o n on b e h a l f o f i t s own i d e a l s " ' .
h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s
u n d e r t o o k t o examine t h e s e n t e n c e "His
M a j e s t y ' s Government h a v e no doubt t h a t
t h i s w i l l p r o v e t o be t h e c a s e " , i n o r d e r
t o make s u r e t h a t t h e meaning was q u i t e
c l e a r , namely, t h a t His F a j e s t y s Government
had no doubt t h a t t h e League would, remain an
e f f e c t i v e b od y .
m
f
i*FE LORD PRFSIDFN
of
S t a t e should
TTHP
suggested
m
that
the
guard a g a i n s t t h e c h a r g e o f
Secretary
self-praise.
S CHF ARY OF S A?E FOP FOREIGN AFFAIRS
T?
m
t h a t t h e main o b j e c t
m
said
i n t h e d r a f t i n g had b e e n , w i t h o u t
e x t e n d i n g what h e had s a i d at Geneva, t o g i v e
satisfaction
t o t h e French and t o o p i n i o n at home, and h e and h i s
a d v i s e r s hoped t h a t
tehali Gardens,
epteroher 8 3 ,
S,W;1
1935.
this
would be t h e
case.
DRAFT NOTE TO FRENCH AMBASSADOR.
FOREIGN OFFICE,
September
S.W.I.
, 1935.
Your E x c e l l e n c y ,
I n the e n q u i r y which you were so good as to a d d r e s s to
S i r Robert V a n s i t t a r t on September 10th Your E x c e l l e n c y
expressed the d e s i r e o f your Government, i n connection with the
p r e s e n t d i s p u t e between I t a l y and A b y s s i n i a ,
to l e a r n to what
extent they might b e a s s u r e d i n the f u t u r e o f the immediate and
effective
co-operation of
violation of
t h i s country i n the event o f a
the Covenant of
to f o r c e i n Europe;
the League o f Nations and a r e s o r t
and you r e f e r r e d i n p a r t i c u l a r to the
eventuality of a resort
to f o r c e i n Europe on the p a r t o f some
European S t a t e , whether o r not that S t a t e might be a Member
o f the League o f
3.
Nations.
I have the honour, i n r e p l y ,
to i n v i t e your a t t e n t i o n
to the words which I used i n the course o f my speech to the
League Assembly a t Geneva on September 11th,
I
then d e c l a r e d
that H i s M a j e s t y ' s Government i n the U n i t e d Kingdom would b e
second to none i n t h e i r i n t e n t i o n to f u l f i l ,
of t h e i r c a p a c i t y ,
upon them?
w i t h i n the measure
the o b l i g a t i o n s which the Covenant l a y s
and I added t h a t the i d e a s enshrined i n the
Covenant, and i n p a r t i c u l a r
rule of law i n international
the a s p i r a t i o n t o e s t a b l i s h
affairs,
had appealed with growing
f o r c e to the s t r a i n o f i d e a l i s m i n the B r i t i s h
national
c h a r a c t e r , and that they had indeed become a p a r t o f
national
conscience.
Sxcellency
Monsieur Andre C h a r l e s Gorbin,
the
the
5*
AS Tour E x c e l l e n c y w i l l a l s o r e c o l l e c t , X
further
took the o p p o r t u n i t y l a the course' o f -ay speech a t Geneva to
r e p u d i a t e any s u g g e s t i o n that the a t t i t u d e o f H i s
Majesty*s
Government had been one of o t h e r than unwavering f i d e l i t y
the l e a g u e and a l l
to the f a c t t h a t
that i t stands f o %
to
and X drew a t t e n t i o n
the recent response o f p u b l i c o p i n i o n i n
t h i s country showed hot? completely the n a t i o n supported the
Qov&rmmnt in
the l u l l
acceptance o f the o b l i g a t i o n s o f League
membership, which was the o f t proclaimed keynote o f
foreign policy^
I
British
added that to suggest o r i n s i n u a t e
that
t h i s p o l i c y was f o r some reason p e c u l i a r to the i t a l o A b y s s i a i a n c o n f l i c t Would b e a complete misunderstandings
nothing c o u l d i n f a c t he f u r t h e r from the truths
and I
X said,
s i n c e r e l y welcome t h i s o p p o r t u n i t y to r e p e a t w i t h
responsibility,
that i t i s
full
to the p r i n c i p l e s o f the L e a g u e ,
and not to any p a r t i c u l a r m a n i f e s t a t i o n t h e r e o f ,
B r i t i s h n a t i o n had demonstrated i t s adhereaea*
that the
Any o t h e r
view would a t once he an underestimate o f B r i t i s h good
and an imputation upon B r i t i s h s i n c e r i t y .
In
faith
conformity
with i t s p r e c i s e and e x p l i c i t o b l i g a t i o n s I p o i n t e d o u t ,
and I
r e - e m p h a e i s e , t h a t the League staadftf
stands with i t ,
f o r the c o l l e c t i v e maintenance o f
Covenant i n i t s e n t i r e t y ,
J
senteneef
the
for i
PPl
sjsts of -unBrovolced .&ggjg&saiiaSs
I would draw Tour B s c e l l e a e y e p a r t i c u l a r
to t h i s l a s t
country
H^Ja^^^^^^J^
o o l l e e t i v e r e s i s t a n c e to a l l
4*
and t h i s
attention
think i t t r i l l "foe g e n e r a l l y
agreed t h a t no seiaber o f the League c o u l d l a y down i t s
p o l i c y w i t h g r e a t e r c l a r i t y and d e c i s i o n i n advance o f
any p a r t i c u l a r ease which would b r i n g t h a t p o l i c y i n t o
c o n s i d e r a t i o n , as i n the p r e s e n t c a s e , w i t h a l l i t s
members a t Genev&*
To avoid a l l p o s s i b l e
fellow
misunderstanding
I w i l l demonstrate t h i s p o i n t w i t h f u r t h e r p r e c i s i o n .
X
spoke, and am w r i t i n g , o f a l l a c t s o f unprovoked a g g r e s s i o n ^
Haeh word i n t h a t sentence jg&st have i t s
I t i s a t once e v i d e n t , f o r example
5
fall
value.
that not o n l y m y
b e d e g r e e s o f c u l p a b l l i ty a s t h e r e aTO
tegfeti
of
there
aggression,
b u t a l s o t h a t procedure which would be a p p r o p r i a t e as
regards
the p o s i t i v e a c t o f unprove&ed a g g r e s s i o n wemM not
n e c e s s a r i l y b e a p p r o p r i a t e a s r e g a r d s the n e g a t i v e a c t o f
the f a i l u r e
to f u l f i l
the terms o f a t r e a t y .
I
im&er­
s t a n d t h a t your Gevesssae?at a l r e a d y r e c o g n i s e s t h e s e
distinctions.
And s i m i l a r l y i n r e g a r d to
o b l i g a t i o n s i t i s p e r t i n e n t to r e c a l l
treaty
t h a t , a s I have
a l r e a d y s a i d a t Geneva, e l a s t i c i t y i s a p a r t o f
and t h a t e v e r y Member o f the Xteague m s t
covenant i t s e l f
6*
far
security,
r e c o g n i s e , a s the
recognises-., t h a t the w o r l d i s not- s t a t i c .
i t he suggested t h a t t h i s d e c l a r a t i o n o r support
it
the p r i n c i p l e s o f the Covenant ezsbodied I n iay recent
speech a t Geneva, and r e a f f i r m e d i n the p r e s e n t note
r e p r e s e n t s only the p o l i c y o f I l l s M a j e s t y * s
present
Government, m d not n e c e s s a r i l y t h a t o f t h e i r
in offl*oe,
I may p o i n t out t h a t , w h i l e my
were i n f a c t spoken on b e h a l f o f
of
successors
^mr&B
a t Geneva
the p r e s e n t Government
t h i s c o u n t r y , those words were a l s o spoken with the o v e r ­
whelming support -sad approval o f the B r i t i s h n a t i o n ,
£hat
p o l i c y s o d a s , moreover^ to b e the o n l y one consonant with
the f u l f i l m e n t
of
the o b l i g a t i o n s contained i n the Covenant,
o b l i g a t i o n s which were d e l i b e r a t e l y g i v e n the mast s o l e n i
form and t i t l e , and made- to o v e r r u l e a l l o t h e r
n a t i o n a l o b l i g a t i o n s , m&
to c o n c e i v e o f
policy,
consequently i t I s
inter­
difficult
f u t u r e Oovemmeats a d o p t i n g a. d i f f e r e n t
A S I s t a t e d a t Geneva, - and a s has s i n c e become
i n c r e a s i n g l y e v i d e n t , the a t t i t u d e o f the B r i t i s h n a t i o n
i n t h e l a s t few weeks has c l e a r l y demonstrated the
t h a t i t i s sieved b y no v a r i a b l e and u n r e l i a b l e
fact
sentiment
b u t i s e o a e e m e d with a p r i n c i p l e o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l
conduct
to which i t w i l l h o l d with f i r m , enduring end universal.
p e r s i s t e n c e * so l o n g a s t h s League jpsssalns e n e f f a e t i v s
"body.
H i s M a j e s t y 6 ooverzmeat have m Adttbt t h a t
this
1
w i l l pjeove to he the easo*
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a t s a a t e r s o f the p a s t and e n s u r i n g wsrleUpeaee hy
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s e c u r i t y i n the £ut&tfe* w i l l n o t l i g h t l y
i n v a l i d a t e i t s e l f fcy laefe o f f & l t a l a , s a $ e t £ e e t i v $
a c t i o n e n h a h s i f o f f i t s e m id&al&*
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faith
H i e s tits a a a u r i t y t he a o l l e e t i v e *
f a s p o i n t I s so v i t a l and I M i s t ventnare, i n c o n c l u s i o n ^
once ssars to quote lay wores a t (£anew.
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pease &m to he r u a they mmt *fce ran hy a i l * V
a s t h e L a s s i e p r e s e r v e s i t s e l f hy i t s
So l o n g
.
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this
Ctoveraaeat ana t h i s n a t i o n t r i l l l l n mis t * i t s f a l l
principles
I have the honour to h e
9
with the highest consideration^
ITon? E^D80lleney s o b e d i e n t
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servant.,