(c) crown copyright
Catalogue Reference:CAB/23/82
Image Reference:0001
IS p n n T ^ W T j T R ^ J H E PROPERTY OP HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY S GOVERNMENT r
Wb
R E T.
-
COPY NO
CAB
$
.
35 (35.). I N E T
Meeting of the Cabinet to be held at No. 10, Downing Street, S.W.1. , on WEDNESDAY, 19th JUNE, 1935, at 11,0 a.in. A G E
N D A. -
(if required). 1.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
2.
ANGLO-GERMAN NAVAL DISCUSSIONS, (Reference Cabinet 32 (35) Conclusion 2 ) . Note by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, covering Report by the British Representatives. Co P. 119 (35) - already circulated. 3.
THE GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTED. (Reference Cabinet 32 (35; Conclusion 3 ) . 4.
CEYLON:
PURCHASE OF TEAR GH.S APPARATUS BY GOVERNMENT. (Reference Cabinet 16 (35) Conclusion 2 ) . Memorandum by the Secretary of State for the Colonies
C P . 117 (55) - already circulated. s
5.
EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS ON THE TaTO-SHIFT SYSTEM-
Memorandum by the Home Secretary, C P . 120 (35) - already circulated. 6
-
ASSURANCE COMPANIES OF DOUBTFUL SOLVENCY. : Memorandum by the President of the Board of Trade. C P . 115 (35) - already circulated. (Signed) M.P.A. HANKEY, i
Secretary to the Cabinet. 2, Whitehall Gardens, 3.W.I., 17th June, 1935, 'HIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT),
i E C R B T.
COPY NO.
C A B I N E T
33 ( 5 5 ) .
CONCLUSIONS o f a M e e t i n g of t h e C a b i n e t h e l d a t
1 0 , Downing S t r e e t , S . W . 1 . , on WEDNESDAY,
19th JUNE, 1935, a t 11.0 a.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. ,
( i n the C h a i r ) .
Prime M i n i s t e r .
The R i g h t Hon.
J . Ramsay MacDonald, M . P . ,
L o r d p r e s i d e n t o f the C o u n c i l .
The R i g h t Hon.
N e v i l l e Chamherlain, M.P.,
C h a n c e l l o r o f the Exchequer.
The R i g h t Hon.
The V i s c o u n t H a i l s h a m ,
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 . B . E . , K . C , M.P. ,
S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r Home
Affairs.
The R i g h t Hon.
S i r Samuel H o a r e , B t . , C C S . I . ,
G . B . E . , C.M.G. , M . P . , 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 .
The Most Hon.
The Marquess o f L o n d o n d e r r y ,
K. G. , M.V. 0. , L o r d P r i v y
Seal.
The R i g h t Hon.
The V i s c o u n t H a l i f a x , K . C ,
C C S . I . , G.C.I.E. , Secretary
o f S t a t e f o r War.
The R i g h t Hon.
J . H . Thomas, M . P . ,
Secretary of State for
Affairs,
The R i g h t Hon.
Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister,G.B.3.,
M. C. , M . P . , S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e
for Air.
The Most Hon.
The Marquess o f Z e t l a n d , G . C S . I
G . C . I . E . , Secretary of State
for India.
The R i g h t Hon.
Malcolm MacDonald, M . P . ,
S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r the
The R i g h t Hon.
W a l t e r Runciman, M.P. ,
P r e s i d e n t o f the Board o f
Colonies.
Dominion
Trade
The R i g h t Hon.
S i r Bolton Eyres M o n s e l l , G.B.E.,
M . P . , F i r s t L o r d o f the A d m i r a l t y .
The R i g h t Hon.
Anthony Eden, M . C . , M . P . ,
M i n i s t e r f o r League o f N a t i o n s
Affairs.
The R i g h t Hon.
L o r d Eustace P e r c y ,
Minister without P o r t f o l i o .
The R i g h t Hon.
Walter E l l i o t , M.C., M.P.,
M i n i s t e r e f A g r i c u l t u r e and
Fisheries.
The R i g h t Hon.
O l i v e r Stanley, M.C., M.P.,
P r e s i d e n t o f t h e Board o f E d u c a t i o n .
The R i g h t Hon.
S i r K i n g s l e y Wood, M . P . ,
M i n i s t e r of Health.
The R i g h t Hon.
E r n e s t Brown, M . C . ,
-^Minister of Laoour.
The R i g h t Hon.
W. Ormsoy-Gore, M . P . , F i r s t
Commissioner o f Works.
jplonel S i r M.P.A.
M.P.,
Hankey, G . C . 3 . , G . C . M . G . ,
G.C.V.C,
Secretary.
-THE OA ?IN?".
1
1.
t o the
i
The P r i m e M i n i s t e r v e l o o w e d a l l
Cabinet.
ne^
colleagu.es
TFE NAVAL CONFFRENCF, 1 9 3 5 .
A n g l o-G erma n
Agreement .
Proposed
V i s i t to
P a r i s by
Minister for
League
of
Nations A f f a i r s .
(Previous
Reference:
C a b i n e t 32
( 3 5 ) , Con­
elusion 2 .)
2 . The S e c r e t a r y
made a s t a t e m e n t
of
State for
t o the Cabinet
Foreign
Affairs
on t h e s u b j e c t
t h e exchange of Notes b e t w e e n F i s M a j e s t y ' s
of
Government
i n t h e U n i t e d Kingdom and t h e German Government
regarding the l i m i t a t i o n
(Cmd. 4 9 3 0 ) .
based
of naval
Fe p o i n t e d out t h a t
on t h e p r o c e e d i n g s
t h e Agreement was
of the l a t e Cabinet
t h e Committee o f M i n i s t e r s
at t h e M e e t i n g
Fe and t h e F i r s t . L o r d o f
important
and of
t o whom t h e q u e s t i o n had
b e e n r e f e r r e d by t h e C a b i n e t
i n the margin.
armaments
the
Admiralty
had ^bought
it
which would
e n a b l e us t o c o n t r o l German programmes
o f n a v a l armaments,
tive
to
mentioned
instead
c o n c l u d e an Agreement
of the probable
alterna­
o f an Anglo-German c o m p e t i t i o n i n n a v a l
ments.
I n r e c e n t y e a r s many o p p o r t u n i t i e s
achieving
seizing
disarmament had been l o s t
t h e f a v o u r a b l e moment.
t o t h e two M i n i s t e r s
that
the present
German s i g n a t u r e
I t had been
opportunity
c r i t i c i s m r a t h e r than o f
outraged
Pie proposed t h a t t h e M i n i s t e r
should proceed
t o meet M. L a v a l and t o
a statement
possible
o f France and
and t h e French Government
for
on F r i d a y
Staff
of
next t o
Lord o f t h e A d m i r a l t y
"""he
unsatisfactory.
league
explain a l l
from t h e N a v a l p o i n t
as one o f
surprise,
o^ o t h e r Powers had been not
The F i r s t
the
"verything
had s e n t a N o t e which c o u l d be d e s c r i b e d
Affairs
essential
t h e French had s t a r t e d a Press
campaign on t h e s u b j e c t ,
attitude
could
was
and s e c u r e
t o an A g r e e m e n t ,
Nevertheless,
it
in
clear
a b e t t e r Agreement
had been done t o o b t a i n t h e good w i l l
Italy.
of
through delay
not be o b t a i n e d from Germany and t h a t
to s e i z e
arm a ­
th^
Nations
Paris
circumstances.
gave the
of v i e w ,
he s a i d t h a t
the Naval
been anxious
t o b r i n g abou* an a g r e e m e n t ,
Cabinet
i n which
were s a t i s f i e d
and had
more
especially
been
as they r a t h e r
suspected that i f
any d e l a y t h e German N a v a l S t a f f
a v.-ay
tried
t o w h i t t l e / w h a t was p r o p o s e d .
particulars
advantageous
our own.
t h e r e had
would h a v e
Fe
gave
t o show t h a t t h e Agreement was
t o t h e French Navy no l e s s
than
As the e x i s t i n g N a v a l Agreements
to
would
come t o an end i n 19 36 i t was v e r y v a l u a b l e t o be
able to record this
Agreement w i t h Germany, and
ought t o h e l p towards
arrangements
further
but
gave e q u a l i t y
t h e submarine was not
t o a t t a c k s by s u b m a r i n e s :
less
likely
i t had t o be remembered
t h e London Naval ^ r e a t y
were r a t h e r
^he
as t o submarines w e r e t h e most
t o be c r i t i c i s e d ,
and t h a t
Agreements,
that
i n stibmarines
the defensive
in addition,
apprehensive
it
the
reply
Admiralty
submarines
today
than they had been d u r i n g t h e War.
In reply
to questions
by t h e F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y
aetual
programmes
the Cabinet were
and t h e F i r s t
informed
Lord t h a t
of c o n s t r u c t i o n were s t i l l
d i s c u s s e d w i t h the German d e l e g a t i o n .
being
Questions
such as t h e r a t e a t which t h e Germans i n t e n d e d
build
up t o t h e 35 per c e n t . , a n d
of
over-age
u n d e r - a g e t o n n a g e , and o t h e r t e c h n i c a l
to
and
matters,
would be d e a l t w i t h i n t h e s e d i s c u s s i o n s .
D e l e g a t i o n had g i v e n t h e B r i t i s h
m
h e German
delegation
to
understand t h a t t h e y would s p r i n g no s t i v p r i s e s
these discussions.
a Fleet
If,
o t h e r Powers r e d u c i n g
t h e Germans w o u l d , under t h i s
Capital
Ships
do t h e same.
other
enter
our own
countries
If,
to
later
abolish
or Submarines, Germany would h a v e
It
was q u i t e c l e ^ r ,
up
Agreement
h a v e t o make a c o r r e s p o n d i n g r e d u c t i o n .
on, we w e r e t o a g r e e w i t h
during
Germany had b u i l t
on t h e 3-5 per c e n t , b a s i s , we w e r e t o
i n t o an agreement w i t h
tonnage,
after
the
both from t h e
to
W h i t e Paper and t h e r e c o r d
if
Germany s h o u l d a c q u i r e
would none t h e l e s s
laid
down t h a t
permanent
of the d i s c u s s i o n s ,
colonies
this
remain u n a l t e r e d ,
"the r a t i o
of
Agreement
and i t
35-100 i s
was
t o he a
relationship",
In connection with the question of the
a t t e n t i o n *as
Sir
that
drawn t o t h e f o l l o w i n g
Samuel P o a r e ' s
N o t e t o F e r r von
ratio
passages
in
Rihbentrop:-
Paragraph 5 ( c ) :
"Germany w i l l a d h e r e t o t h e r a t i o
35 : 100 i n a l l c i r c u m s t a n c e s ,
e . g . , t h e r a t i o w i l l not be a f f e c t e d
by t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of o t h e r P o w e r s .
I f the general equilibrium of naval
armaments, as n o r m a l l y m a i n t a i n e d i n
t h e p a s t , should
v i o l e n t l y upset
by any abnormal and e x c e p t i o n a l c o n ­
s t r u c t i o n by o t h ^ r P o w e r s , t h e German
Government r e s e r v e t h e r i g h t t o i n v i t e
F i s M a , j e s t y ' s Government i n t h e U n i t e d
Kingdom t o examine t h e ne' s i t u a t i o n
thus cr eat ed
, ."
r
Paragraph
3:
"With r e f e r e n c e t o s u b - p a r a g r p h ( c )
o f t h e e x p l a n a t i o n s s e t out a b o v e ,
I have t h e honour t o i n f o r m you t h a t
F i s Ma .j es t y ' s Government i n t h e U n i t e d Kingdom h a v e t a k e n n o t e o f t h e r e s e r v a ­
t i o n and r e c o g n i s e t h e r i g h t t h e r e i n
s e t o u t , on t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t t h e
35 : 100 r a t i o w i l l h e m a i n t a i n e d i n
d e f a u l t o^ agreement t o h e c o n t r a r y
b e t w e e n t h e tw o G ov er nm ent s , "
o
f
The a b o v e ,
fairly
m
i t was p o i n t e d
tight
out,
rendered the r a t i o a
one,
he attention
the f o l l o w i n g
"The Tiroes" o f
o f t h e C a b i n e t was a l s o drawn t o
passage in the leading a r t i c l e
even
of
date:­
" I f P r a n c e i n s i s t s on i n c r e a s i n g h e r
n a v a l s t r e n g t h , then t h e B r i t i s h and
German Governments w i l l c l e a r l y h a v e
to consider increases a l s o " .
m
his
point,
by M. L a v a l
for
i t was s u g g e s t e d , was bound t o be
in his
conversation with the
league of Nations
below ,)
Affairs,
raised
Minister
^ See C o n c l u s i o n
(c)
m
h e Cabinet
a g r e e d —'
(a)
""hat t h e Agreement s e t
f o r t h in
t h e exchange o f Notes o f June 1 3 ,
1935, between
M a j e s t y ' s Govern­
m e n t " i n t h e U n i t e d Kingdom and t h e
German Government r e g a r d i n g t h e
l i m i t a t i o n o f N a v a l armaments
(Cmd,4930) was an advantageous one:
(l-)
take note that the M i n i s t e r f o r
League of N a t i o n s A f f a i r s would v i s i t
P a r i s on F r i d a y , June 2 1 s t , f o r t h e
purpose o f e x p l a i n i n g t o M. L a v a l t h e
a d v a n t a g e s of t h e N a v a l Agreement and
t h e circumstances i n which i t had been
n e c e s s a r y t o e n t e r i n t o it. w i t h o u t
delay.
Fe would make i t q u i t e c l e ^ r
t h a t t h e r e was no q u e s t i o n o f Germany
h a v i n g d r i v e n a wedge b e t w e e n t h e
U n i t e d Fingdom and F r a n c e , or a n y t h i n g
o f t h e k i n d , but t h a t i t had been
e s s e n t i a l not t o miss t h i s f l e e c i n g
opportunity f o r a f a v o u r a b l e agreement:
(c)
I n case French M i n i s t e r s w e r e t o r a i s e
t h e p o i n t mentioned i n t h e e x t r a c t
from t h e l e a d i n g a r t i c l e o f " " h e i m e s "
mentioned a b o v e , t h e M i n i s t e r f o r League
o f N a t i o n s Affairs was a u t h o r i s e d t o
r e p l y t o the e f f e c t that supposing the
French Government c o n s i d e r e d I t n e e e s ­
s a r y from t h e p o i n t of v i e w o f F r e n c h
n a t i o n a l d e f e n c e t o make an i n c r e a s e t o
t h e i r Navy, F i s M a i e s t y ' s Government i n
t h e U n i t e d Fingdom would examine t h e
e f f e c t o' t h a t i n c r e a s e on t h e i r own n a v a l
s t r e n g t h and might or m i g h t not d e c i d e t o make
some i n c r e a s e , t h e m s e l v e s :
but t h a t under
t h e new Agreement Germany was not .
e n t i t l e d t o make an- i n c r e a s e e x c e p t
i n t h e event o f an i n c r e a s e t o t h e
B r i t i s h Navy,
" h e utmost t h a t Germany
coul^. do would be t o i n v o k e p a r a g r a p h
2 ( c ) o f S i r Samuel o a r e ' s N o t e , which
i s quoted a b o v e :
that, i s t o say . t o
i n v i t e - is M a j e s t y Ms Government I n t h e
U n i t e d Kingdom t o examine t h e new
s i t u a t i o n thus c r e a t e d .
m
p
T T
T
T
T i e Cabinet
(a)
agreed
—
""liat t h e Agreement s e t
f o r t h in
t h e exchange o f Notes o f June 1 3 ,
19 35, between i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n ­
mcnt* i n t h e United, kingdom and t h e
German Government r e g a r d i n g t h e
l i m i t a t i o n o f N a v a l armaments
(Crad.,49 30) was an advantageous one:
w
(b)
^o t a k e n o t e t h a t t h e M i n i s t e r f o r
League of N a t i o n s A f f a i r s would v i s i t
P a r i s on F r i d a y , June 2 1 s t , f o r t h e
purpose of e x p l a i n i n g t o M. L a v a l t h e
a d v a n t a g e s o* t h e a v a l Agreement and
t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n which i t had been
necessary t o enter i n t o i t without
delay.
Fe would make i t q u i t e c l e a r
t h a t t h e r e was no q u e s t i o n o f Germany
h a v i n g d r i v e n a wedge b e t w e e n t h e
U n i t e d Kingdom and F r a n c e , or a n y t h i n g
of t h e k i n d , but t h a t i t had been
e s s e n t i a l no " t o miss t h i s f l e e c i n g
o p p o r t u n i t y f o r a. f a v o u r a b l e agreement :
11
1
(c)
I n case French M i n i s t e r s v e r e t o r a i s e
t h e p o i n t mentioned i n t h e e x t r a c t
from t h e l e a d i n g a r t i c l e o f " T i e lines"
mentioned a b o v e , t h e M i n i s t e r f o r League
of N a t i o n s - f f a i r s was a u t h o r i s e d t o
r e p l y t o the e f f e c t that supposing the
French Government c o n s i d e r e d i t n e c e s ­
s a r y from t h e p o i n t o v i e w o f "French
n a t i o n a l d e f e n c e t o make an i n c r e a s e t o
t h e i r Navy,
i s F a i e s t y s Government i n
t h e U n i t e d kingdom would examine t h e
e f f e c t 0^ t h a t i n c r e a s e on t h e i r own n a v a l
s t r e n g t h and might or m i g h t not d e c i d e t o make
some i n c r e a s e t h e m s e l v e s :
but t h a t under
t h e ne " Agreement Germany was n o t .
e n t i t l e d t o make any i n c r e a s e e x c e p t
i n t h e event o f an i n c r e a s e t o t h e
B r i t i s h Navy.
T i e utmost t h a t Germany
could do would be t o i n v o k e paragraph
2 ( c ) o f S i r Samuel o a r e ' s N o t e , which
i s quoted a b o v e ;
t h a t i s t o say
to
i n v i t e - is F a , j e s t y s Government" i n t h e
"
U n i t e d 'ing^om t o examine t h e new
s i t u a t i o n thus c r e a t e d .
m
-F
T T
T
1
T T
T
T
T
T
E PROPOSED
AIR PACT' .
3 . ^he S e c r e t a r y
m t T
( P r e v i ous
Reference:
Cabinet 32
( 3 5 ) , Con­
c l u s i o n 5.)
of
State for
r e p o r t e d t h a t he was c o n f r o n t e d w i t h
difficulties
Air Pact:
brought
for
FX
proposed
example, as t o how Germany c o u l d be
into the d i s c u s s i o n .
He had d i s c u s s e d
and t h e M i n i s t e r
for
of
the A i r
League o^ N a t i o n s
as t o what, they would l i k e
or i n an A i r
the matter
Affairs.
Minister
for
League
occasion of his
of
Agreement and
I t was proposed t h a t
Nations
Affairs,
forthcoming v i s i t
exchange o f v i e w s w i t h M. L a v a l ,
main o b j e c t i v e
both
t o s e e i n c l u d e d i n an
Limitation
of p r o c e d u r e .
of
Ministry,
agreement had been r e a c h e d b e t w e e n them,
A i r Pact
the
day w i t h t h e S e c r e t a r y
St a t e f o r A i r and r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
Full
Affairs
considerable
i n making p r o g r e s s w i t h t h e
q u e s t i o n on t h e p r e v i o u s
Propos ed
Visit to
P a r i s by t h e
Minister for
League o f
Nations
Affairs.
Foreign
to Paris
the
on t h e
and h i s
should make i t
t o o b t a i n an agreement
in
his
as t o how
p r o g r e s s was t o be made on t h e A i r Fact . Fe would
as t o procedure­
t a k e some quest.ions/with him which he would l e a v e w i t h
M,
I aval
if
Admittedly,
could expect
occasion,
t h e atmosphere appeared
however,
i t was douibtful w h e t h e r he
t o make much p r o g r e s s
especially
favourable.
on t h e
in v i e w o f t h e French
present
attitude
towards t h e N a v a l Agreement. ,
m
he
fa)
Cabinet
agreed
-­
^o a p p r o v e t h e p r o p o s a l s o f t h e
Secretary of S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n
A f f a i r s and t h e S e c r e t a r y o" S t a t e
for Air
and t h 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 , as t o t h e l i n e
t o be t a k e n by t h e l a t t e r on t h e
q u e s t i o n of t h e A i r P a c t d u r i n g h i s
forthcoming .vis i t t o P a r i s :
p
(y)
t a k e n o t e that, t h e S e c r e t a r y o f .
S t a t e ' o r F o r e i g n . A f f a i r s and t h e
S e c r e t a r y o^ S t a t e ^or A i r would
c i r c u l a t e , f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n by t h e
Cabinet, at t h e i r next r e g u l a r w e e k l y
M e e t i n g , a J o i n t Memorandum on t h e
q u e s t i o n , of t h e A i r Pact and. t h e
L i m i t a t i o n o f A i r Armaments.
p
DISPUTE BETWEEN
ITALY AMD
ABYSSINIA
(PTTipiOPIA) .
(Previous
Reference:
Cabinet 28
( 3 5 ) , Con­
clusion 9.)
R e a c t i o n s upon
Somaliland.
(Previous
Reference:
Cabinet 12
( 3 5 ) , Con­
clusion 5.)
4 . The S e c r e t a r y
raised,
of S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n
Affairs
as a m a t t e r o f immediate u r g e n c y ,
o f t h e d i s p u t e between I t a l y
the question
and A b y s s i n i a .
Since
t h e Cabinet had d i s c u s s e d t h e m a t t e r w i t h F i s
Majesty's
Ambassador at Rome t h e s i t u a t i o n had
deteriorated.very
seriously.
had t h e n been a n t i c i p a t e d ,
enthusiasm was w a n i n g .
Italian
On t h e c o n t r a r y ,
m
who, a c c o r d i n g t o p r e v i o u s
that
large
o p i n i o n appeared t o h a v e a c c e p t e d t h e
s i t u a t i o n as i n e v i t a b l e .
event
t h a t M. M u s s o l i n i ' s
f o r c e s w e r e p r o c e e d i n g t o t h e Red S e a , and
I t a l i a n public
the l a s t
T h e r e was no s i g n , as
h e French Government,
expectations,
r e s o r t h v e supported
should i n
t h e League i n t h e
o
o f a c l a s h , were s h o e i n g
every
sign that
case they would, b e on t h e s i d e o f I t a l y ,
was e v e r y p r o s p e c t ,
therefore,
i n a most i n c o n v e n i e n t
have t o make a f u t i l e
dilemma.
d r i v e him out o f
and in" " o t h e arms of Germany,
1
^here
placed
E i t h e r we should,
p r o t e s t , which would
M, M u s s o l i n i and. perhaps
protest
o f our b e i n g
in
f
irritate
h e League
or we should m^ke no
and g i v e t h e appearance o f
pusillanimity.
I n t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s h e had been s e e k i n g f o r some
basis
of discussion with
Mussolini.
was t o make c o n t a c t w i t h M. M u s s o l i n i .
assumed o f f i c e
One
difficulty
When he had
he had i n v i t e d t h e I t a l i a n
Ambassador
t o s e e him, but found t h a t h e had l e f t
Iondon.
I n Rome
it
Majesty's Ambassador found
t o make any i m p r e s s i o n on M. M u s s o l i n i .
most
important
difficult
Y e t i t was
t o a s c e r t a i n what t h e D u c e s
f
true
attitude was.
The F o r e i g n O f f i c e w e r e opposed t o S i r E r i c
DrummondFs p r o p o s a l s
t h a t we should
-p-a-rt j t - i ^ R - ^ . ^ A b y s s i n i a , w h i c h ,
countenance -s-ofi^
in s p i t e
o f our
o p p o s i t i o n , had become a Member o f t h e l e a g u e .
In searching f o r
other a l t e r n a t i v e s ,
had "been examined f o r
to I t a l y .
Somaliland
s u g g e s t i o n , he was n o t p r e p a r e d t o .
it at
It
ceding a part of B r i t i s h
A l t h o u g h i t might he n e c e s s a r y t o come
hack t o t h a t
propose
a proposal
present.
a p p e a r e d , however,
negotiations
that f o r
some y e a r s
had been p r o c e e d i n g w i t h
Abyssinia
w i t h a view t o the p o s s i b l e c e s s i o n t o t h a t
country
o f a narrow c o r r i d o r
open
anchorage o f Z e i l a .
basis
of
connecting i t
It
w i t h the
seemed p o s s i b l e
t h a t on t h e
t h a t p r o p o s a l M. M u s s o l i n i might be
to talk.
No c e s s i o n o f
territory
to Italy
induced
was
involved,
but i t would g i v e A b y s s i n i a
the s e a ;
and s i d e by s i d e w i t h t h i s t h e r e w o u l d be
some c e s s i o n o f
e,g.
t e r r i t o r y by A b y s s i n i a
r o u g h l y t h e Ogaden Country.
negotiations
for t h i s
The
had been on the b a s i s
a c q u i s i t i o n of
g i v e n by a r e c t i f i c a t i o n
to
to
Italy,
previous
that
compensation
t e r r i t o r y by A b y s s i n i a w o u l d be
of boundary i n f a v o u r
B r i t i s h B o m a l i l a n d and, i f
rectifications
an o u t l e t
possible, also
of
similar
i n f a v o u r o f Kenya and t h e Sudan.
In
t h e new c i r c u m s t a n c e s , h o w e v e r , t h e s e demands w o u l d have
t o be dropped,
though the r e c t i f i c a t i o n s
m i g h t be o b t a i n e d l a t e r ,
case o f
(out not of
B r i t i s h Somaliland).
in p r i n c i p l e ,
of
State
subject
for
course in
and the
some such a g r e e m e n t .
was ample
11
cover"
ment Agreement and t h e A i r P a c t ;
of
Cabinet
on
Affairs
t o Rome from P a r i s ,
f o r his v i s i t
-8­
(some
His p r o p o s a l was
f o r League o f N a t i o n s
should proceed s t r a i g h t
the
Permanent
He asked t h a t t h e
would empower him t o approach M. M u s s o l i n i
that the Minister
the
the C o l o n i e s , who a g r e e d
to certain conditions
which a r e m e n t i o n e d l a t e r ) .
the b a s i s of
boundary
He had d i s c u s s e d
question with the S e c r e t a r y of Stale
Under-Secretary
of
in the Naval
but,
in
There
Disarma­
addition,
he c h o u l d have
the m i s s i o n o f
sounding M. M u s s o l i n i
an agreement on the l i n e s he had s u g g e s t e d .
His
Ambassador i n Rome, who had been c o n s u l t e d ,
was t h e "best chance o f
to
Majesty's
thought
o b t a i n i n g an a g r e e m e n t .
of S t a t e a p o l o g i s e d t o h i s c o l l e a g u e s
as
that t h i s
The
Secretary
for bringing
forward
t h i s new p r o p o s a l w i t h o u t P a p e r s and a t such s h o r t
notice,
but the c i r c u m s t a n c e s were such t h a t he had no
The S e c r e t a r y
supporting
of State f o r
the p r o p o s a l , made i t
alternative.
the C o l o n i e s ,
clear
while
t h a t the most
important
c o n c e s s i o n t h a t had b e e n c o n t e m p l a t e d i n the e a r l i e r
considera­
t i o n of
to
the m a t t e r had been t h e c e s s i o n o f
territory
south o f B r i t i s h S o m a l i l a n d so t h a t B r i t i s h Somali
rights
point
of g r a z i n g
t h e r e might be g u a r a n t e e d ,
and t h a t a v i t a l
i n t e r r i t o r y under I t a l i a n
d i c t i o n across the B r i t i s h Somaliland f r o n t i e r s .
were g i v e n t o A b y s s i n i a
i n the t e r r i t o r y
and the r i g h t s
of
If
the Somali
trouble.
Moreover,
Zeila
tribesmen
announcement on t h e s u b j e c t
that
i n any p u b l i c
t h a t m i g h t e v e n t u a l l y be made.
T h e r e were c e r t a i n o t h e r c o n d i t i o n s a f f e c t i n g
handing o v e r o f 2 e i l a and the c o r r i d o r ,
but w i t h which he d i d n o t t r o u b l e
on t h i s
the C a b i n e t .
of
the agreement would b e t o hand o v e r
of
coastline
the
possible
which had been
down d u r i n g the p r e v i o u s d i s c u s s i o n s
and a c o r r i d o r
he
i t was e s s e n t i a l
t h i s should be made c l e a r from t h e f i r s t
for
juris­
handed t o I t a l y were not s a f e g u a r d e d ,
anticipated great
miles
tribal
i n any agreement would be t o s e c u r e g r a z i n g r i g h t s
British protected tribes
laid
the
matter,
The
to Abyssinia
effect
18 m i l e s
r o u g h l y 12 m i l e s wide by 40
long.
I n the course o f
the d i s c u s s i o n the S e c r e t a r y
State f o r Foreign A f f a i r s
agreed that i f
were e n t e r e d i n t o w i t h A b y s s i n i a
include provisions
which was s t i l l
any arrangement
i t would be e s s e n t i a l
to prevent f a c i l i t a t i n g
being e x p l o i t e d
of
the s l a v e
in Abyssinia.
to
trade,
I t was
pointed
out t h a t a p r o v i s i o n t o t h i s e f f e c t had always been c o n t e m plated.
The d i s c u s s i o n r e v e a l e d t h a t the a t t r a c t i o n s o f t h i s
proposal t o M.Mussolini might prove i n s u f f i c i e n t .
The
Ogaden Country which
it
was p r o p o s e d t h a t A b y s s i n i a
one which I t a l y was l i k e l y
should cede t o h i m , was
t o a c q u i r e i n any
if she e n t e r e d on a m i l i t a r y
campaign.
Moreover,
t h e r e would he no q u e s t i o n o f j o i n i n g
Somaliland t o E r i t r e a ,
as t h i s was
w i t h the proposal f o r a c o r r i d o r
British
Somaliland.
event
Italian
inconsistent
t o he ceded by
On t h e o t h e r h a n d , we c o u l d
s t r e n g t h e n t h e p r o p o s a l s by p r o m i s i n g support, t o
t h e I t a l i a n demands f o r economic c o n c e s s i o n s
in
Abyss i n i a .
Doubts w e r e e x p r e s s e d as t o whether t h e
Italians
rights
c o u l d be r e l i e d
of the B r i t i s h
I t was s u g g e s t e d
very
on t o o b s e r v e t h e gracing
Somali
tribes.
t o the Cabinet that
i m p o r t a n t , i n any announcement
made e v e n t u a l l y
on t h i s
i t was t h e s e q u e l
subject,
i t was
t h a t might be
t o make c l e a r
t o long n e g o t i a t i o n s ,
t h e w h o l e q u e s t i o n had been s t u d i e d
that
and t h a t
f o r years ,
O t h e r w i s e we might b e c o n f r o n t e d w i t h an e a r l y
demand by t h e Germans f o r
colonies.
The C a b i n e t w e r e a t f i r s t
decision
part
reluctant
t o take a
involving the possible ultimate
ViallelHalf
cession of
o* a B r i t i s h - Colony at such s h o r t n o t i c e and
without
further
reflection.
information
and o p p o r t u n i t y
I t was r e a l i s e d ,
however,
t h a t t h e only
chance o f p e r s u a d i n g M, Mussolini t o d e s i s t
military
o p e r a t i o n s was t o t a k e a c t i o n a t
A communication would h a v e t o be s e n t
t o Rome s t a t i n g t h a t t h e M i n i s t e r
Nations A f f a i r s
t o make.
the question
c o r r i d o r t o A b y s s i n i a had been
from
once.
i n advance
f o r League o f
would have an i m p o r t a n t
Moreover,
for
statement
o* ceding t h e
exhaustively
$CWJL
e x p l o r e d during" s ^ t e * a l
principally
concerned,
y e a r s by t h e Departments
an^ t h e y w e r e i n a g r e e m e n t ,
and a l l
was
the information necessary t o a
decision
available.
The Cabinet w e r e impressed not
w o r l d - w i d e importance
the d e c i s i o n ,
t o public
only w i t h
of t h e i s s u e s
involved
t u t w i t h the d e s i r a b i l i t y
opinion in this
and e s p e c i a l l y
country,
i n South A f r i c a
the
of
in the
(which i s
in
showing
Fmpire,
greatly
concerned i n a war b e t w e e n a European country
a coloured raje
in A f r i c a )
t h a t we h a v e made a v e r y
a
and t o t h e w o r l d
substantial
effort
and
at
large
to
avert
catastrophe.
I n t h e above c i r c u m s t a n c e s
(a)
the Cabinet agreed
That 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 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 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 t o proceed, from P a r i s d i r e c t t o
Rome, where he would e n t e r on c o n v e r s e ­
t i o n s w i t h M . M u s s o l i n i not o n l y on t h e
agreement w i t h Germany on L i m i t a t i o n of
Naval Armaments and t h e p r o p o s e d A i r
P a c t , but *- I s o on t h e q u e s t i o n o f
Abys s i n i a t
h a t the M i n i s t e r f o r Ieague of Nations
A f f a i r s should b e a u t h o r i s e d t o sound.
M. M u s s o l i n i as t o t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of
a r r i v i n g a t some agreement whereby
A b y s s i n i a should cede t e r r i t o r y t o I t a l y
,-rttu i(MHlM
P,-* ,J*
a d j o i n i n g I t a l i a n Soroaliland Ce . g . , t h e
acU
*
l^
A 4 * t a e e - * * - - 0 g a 4 * n ) in r e t u r n -for a
c e s s i o n by the U n i t e d Fingdom t o A b y s s i n i a
t h e c o r r i d o r a t t h e w e s t e r n end o
Somaliland
t o connect A b y s s i n i a w i t h t h e p o r t o f
Zeila.
Fe should, make
c l e a r t h a t an
e s s e n t i a l p a r t o any such agreement
would, be an u n d e r t a k i n g by I t a l y t o
respect the grazing rights of B r i t i s h
Somali t r i b e s i n Ogaden,
In addition,
h e should be " u t h o r i s e d t o p r o m i s e
B r i t i s h support t o I t a l y ' s demands ^or
economic a d v a n t a g e s i n A b y s s i n i a :
fb)
—
m
-0
-p
(c)
That t h e r e should b e no q u e s t i o n o f
6oncltiding any .agreement i n v o l v i n g t h e
c e s s i o n o f B r i t i s h t e r r i t o r y e x c e p t as
part o f a complete s e t t l e m e n t w h i c h would
r u l e out any p r o s p e c t o f w a r :
(d)
That i n any announcement t h a t might
e v e n t u a l l y b e made on t h e s u b j e c t i t
would, be i m p o r t a n t t o make cl^ear —
o^
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
That the v i t a l p o i n t i n any agreement
would "be t o s e c u r e g r a z i n g r i g h t s f o r
B r i t i s h protected tribes in t e r r i t o r y
under I t a l i a n j u r i s d i c t i o n a c r o s s t h e
B r i t i s h Somaliland f r o n t i e r s :
That e v e r y p r e c a u t i o n w o u l d be taken
to avoid f a c i l i t a t i n g the slave trade:
That the p r o p o s a l was one t h a t had b e e n
s t u d i e d c l o s e l y f o r some y e a r s by the
F o r e i g n O f f i c e and t h e C o l o n i a l O f f i c e .
That 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 s h o u l d a r r a n g e t h a t the C a b i n e t
should r e c e i v e w i t h o u t d e l a y c o p i e s o f any
t e l e g r a m s from t h 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 on t h i s s u b j e c t :
To take n o t e t h a t whenever t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r
and 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
should think i t n e c e s s a r y , the Cabinet should
be c o n s u l t e d on t h e s i t u a t i o n .
THE PRINCE
OP WALES.
5. The a t t e n t i o n of
t h e C a b i n e t was c a l l e d
t h e r e f e r e n c e made t o Germany i n a speech by
Prince
o f Wales a t t h e Annual C o n f e r e n c e
B r i t i s h L e g i o n on June
the
especially
embarrassing
b o t h w i t h Prance and
d u r i n g t h e week when t h e A n g l o -
German N a v a l C o n v e r s a t i o n s w e r e t a k i n g
The e f f e c t
the
friendly
t o Germany had p r o v e d somewhat
and had c o m p l i c a t e d r e l a t i o n s
Germany,
the
11th.
The C a b i n e t w e r e i n f o r m e d t h a t
reference
of
to
place.
o f t h e s p e e c h was r e p o r t e d t o have been
p a r t i c u l a r l y bad i n P a r i s .
constitutional
that b e f o r e
aspect
of
A p a r t from t h e
t h e speech i t was
any such r e f e r e n c e s
to f o r e i g n
claimed
countries
w e r e made i n p u b l i c t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r
of
of State for
consulted.
Poreign A f f a i r s
The C a b i n e t
left
it
should b e
Secretary
t o t h e Prime M i n i s t e r
t a k e any s t e p s which he m i g h t
deem a d v i s a b l e .
to
6.
The C a b i n e t were i n f o r m e d t h a t Mr.
Lloyd
George had s e n t t o t h e G e n e r a l P u r p o s e s Committee an
amended copy o f h i s Memorandum i n w h i c h a number
of
changes i n t h e o r i g i n a l
v e r s i o n had b e e n made.
There was some e v i d e n c e t h a t Mr. L l o y d G e o r g e was
contemplating
early
publication.
The Prime M i n i s t e r
s a i d he w o u l d summon a
m e e t i n g t o c o n s i d e r Mr, L l o y d G e o r g e s
T
Memorandum arid t h e d r a f t
as soon as h i s
of
t h e Government' s
c o l l e a g u e s were ready.
r e p l y w o u l d be c i r c u l a t e d
revised
t o the
The
Cabinet.
reply
draft
7.
CEYLON.
(CP.
Purchase of
T e a r Gas
A p p a r a t u s by
Government
The C a n i n e t had b e f o r e
them a Memorandum
117 ( 3 5 ) ) by the S e c r e t a r y
Colonies
of
State f o r
i n the l a t e Government s t a t i n g
w i t h the a p p r o v a l
of
the
that,
the Prime M i n i s t e r ,
he had
r e c e n t l y a u t h o r i s e d i n N o r t h e r n R h o d e s i a t h e use
Northern
Rhodesia.
of
t e a r gas r a t h e r
circumstances,
(Previous
Reference:Cabinet 16 ( 3 5 )
Conclusion 2 ) .
than r i f l e
and appending f o r
a Despatch from the Governor
made a p r o p o s a l
fire
their
certain
information
o f C e y l o n i n w h i c h he
the e x a c t p a r a l l e l
r e c e n t l y approved i n the case o f
The l a t e S e c r e t a r y
in
of
that
Palestine.
of S t a t e c o n s i d e r e d t h a t
permission asked f o r
c o u l d r e a s o n a b l y be
the
given.
The Memorandum was s u p p o r t e d by t h e new
Secretary
Cabinet
of
State
for
the C o l o n i e s , and t h e
agreed:
To a u t h o r i s e t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e
f o r the C o l o n i e s t o g i v e p e r m i s s i o n
f o r the i m p o r t a t i o n i n t o Ceylon o f a
s u p p l y o f t e a r g a s and f o r i t s u s e ,
i f n e c e s s a r y , s u b j e c t t o the c o n d i t i o n s
m e n t i o n e d i n C P . 117 ( 3 5 ) , p a r a ­
graph 3.
1
1J
1
EMPLOYMENT
OP WOMEN,
YOUNG PERSONS
AND O^TLDRFM
AC ,1920 .
m
^he Two- ShiftSystem .
8.
The C a b i n e t had b e f o r e
them a Memorandum by
t h e Home S e c r e t a r y
(0.P.-12O ( 3 5 ) )
to prepare a B i l l ,
for
o f Rome A f f a i r s ,
permanent b a s i s
t h e temporary
i n S e c t i o n 2 o f t h e Employment
0* p l a c i n g
provisions
on a
contained
o f Women, Young Persons
1920, under which women and young
persons may b e employed i n a f a c t o r y
a s y s t e m o f two
authority
s u b m i s s i o n t o t h e Committee
with the object
and C h i l d r e n A c t ,
seeking
or workshop on
day-shifts,
The C a b i n e t a u t h o r i s e d t h e Home S e c r e t a r y
to prepare a B i l l f o r submission t o the
Committee o f Home A f f a i r s as p r o p o s e d i n
C P . 120 ( 3 5 ) and summarised a b o v e .
ft
ASSURANCE
COlvrpANTES
fWINDTNCr-UP)
A C , 1933.
m
Propos ed
Amendment,
9.
^he C a b i n e t had b e f o r e
the P r e s i d e n t
o
r
asking authority
the Pcard
Committee o f Home A f f a i r s
m
rade
a Bill
(Winding-Up.)
Since the passing of
that the law,
of
a
Femorandum by
(C.P.-115
t o p r e p a r e and submit
A s s u r a n c e Companies
(Pre^ious
Reference:
Cabinet 7
( 3 5 ) , Con­
clusion 9 .)
them
as i t
the Act,
stood,
to
Act,
1933.
e x p e r i e n c e ha^ shown
d i d not p e r m i t
d a t e , w i t h the r e s u l t
were able to
their
that
for
action
sufficiently
that, i n s o l v e n t
c o n t i n u e t o do b u s i n e s s
liabilities,
the
t o amend t h e
t o be taken by t h e Board o f ^ r a d e a t a
early
(35))
^he P r e s i d e n t
Companies
and t o
increase
therefore
proposed,
t h e Board of T r a d e should b e empowered t o
i n f o r m a t i o n a t any t i m e ,
t h e r e was p o s i t i v e
hoped t h a t
and not
evidence of
insolvency;
introduction
House o f L o r d s , s h o u l d be passed
rapidly
o n l y when
t h e C a b i n e t would a g r e e t h a t
which would b e s u i t a b l e f o r
as p o s s i b l e ,
call
the
in
He a l s o
Bill,
the
i n t o law as
and i n any e v e n t b e f o r e
the
Summer R e c e s s .
The L e a d e r o f
t h e Government
of Lords entered a caveat
that
i n t h e House
the B i l l
might be
opposed i n t h a t House.
The C a b i n e t a u t h o r i s e d t h e P r e s i d e n t
o f the Board o f Trade t o p r e p a r e and
submit t o the Committee o f Home
A f f a i r s a B i l l t o amend the Assurance
Companies ( W i n d i n g - U p ) A c t , 1933, as
p r o p o s e d i n C P . 115 ( 3 5 ) .
CABINET
PROCEDURE.
" 10.
The prime M i n i s t e r
t h a t he hoped t o he a b l e , t o
L i s t of
Committees.
informed his
circulate
colleagues
a list
C a b i n e t Committees w i t h t h e i r membership on
the same
evening.
(previous
Reference:
Cabinet 6 (35)
Conclusion l ) .
2, W h i t e h a l l Gardens,
19th June, 1935.
8.W.I.,
of