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Catalogue Reference:CAB/23/82
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I
ijlg
111
DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY S GOVERNMENT).
!
I gjj R E T .
COPY NO.
C A B I N E T
40 ( 5 5 ) .
M e e t i n g o f t h e Cabinet t o he h e l d a t N o . 1 0 , Downing
S t r e e t , 8 . W . I . , on WEDNESDAY, 24th JULY, 1935,
a t 11.0 a,m.
A
G E N D A.
1.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
2.
DISPUTE BETWEEN ITALY AND ABYSSINIA
(Reference
(i)
-
(if
required).
C a b i n e t 39 ( 3 5 )
Subsidiary
(ETHIOPIA).
C o n c l u s i o n s 1 and 2 ) .
Questions.
Memorandum by t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r
Foreign A f f a i r s .
C P . 147 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
(ii)
Probable Procedure at
Geneva.
Memorandum by t h e M i n i s t e r f o r League o f
Nations A f f a i r s .
C P . 151 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
(iii)
Supply o f Arms t o
Abyssinia.
Memorandumby the S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r
Foreign A f f a i r s .
C P . 138 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
Memorandum "by the 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 .
C P . 146 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
3.
RE-ORIENTATION OF
BRITAIN.
THE
A I R DEFENCE SYSTEM OF
( R e f e r e n c e C a b i n e t 38 ( 3 5 )
GPEAT
Conclusion 2 ) .
N o t e by the S e c r e t a r y , c o v e r i n g R e p o r t by the
Committee of I m p e r i a l D e f e n c e Sub-Committee on
Defence P o l i c y and R e q u i r e m e n t s .
C P . 144 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
4.
SINGAPORE DEFENCES.
(Reference
Cabinet 6 (35) Conclusion 4 ) .
N o t e by the S e c r e t a r y , c o v e r i n g R e p o r t o f the
Committee o f I m p e r i a l D e f e n c e Sub-Committee on
Defence P o l i c y and R e q u i r e m e n t s .
C P . 152 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
5.
THE UNITED KINGDOM BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY.
(Reference
C a b i n e t 31 ( 3 5 )
Conclusion 9 ) .
R e p o r t o f C a b i n e t Committee.
C P . 155 ( 3 5 )
t o be
6
*
circulated.
PUBLIC WORKS LOANS BILL.
(Reference
C a b i n e t 38 ( 3 5 )
Conclusion 8 ) .
Memorandum by t h e C h a n c e l l o r o f the Exchequer,
covering draft B i l l .
C P . 149 ( 3 5 ) . t o be c i r c u l a t e d .
7.
CONCLUSIONS OP HOME AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.
10th C o n c l u s i o n s
( 3 5 ) o f Home A f f a i r s
Circulated
Committee.
herewith.
1* Employment o f Women and Young P e r s o n s
Bill.
( R e f e r e n c e C a b i n e t 38 ( 3 5 ) C o n c l u s i o n 8 ) .
Memorandum by the Home S e c r e t a r y , c o v e r i n g
draft B i l l .
H.A. 27 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
2 . E x p i r i n g Laws Continuance
(Reference
Bill.
C a b i n e t 38 ( 3 5 )
Conclusion 8 ) .
Memorandum by the F i n a n c i a l S e c r e t a r y to
the T r e a s u r y , c o v e r i n g d r a f t B i l l .
H.A. 28 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
(Signed)
M.P.A.
Secretary
2 , W h i t e h a l l Gardens,
22nd J u l y ,
1935.
S.W.I.,
HANKEY,
t o the
Cabinet.
BgjroGJJMBNT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT).
I
COPY NO.
C RET.
C A B I N E T
40 ( 5 5 ) .
CONCLUSIONS o f a M e e t i n g o f the C a b i n e t h e l d a t
1 0 , Downing S t r e e t , S . W . I . , on WEDNESDAY,
24th JULY, 1935, a t 1 1 . 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 . ,
Prime M i n i s t e r .
( i n the C h a i r ) .
The R i g h t Hon.
I J . Ramsay MacDonald, M . P . ,
B 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 Chamherlain, M . P . ,
C h a n c e l l o r o f t h e Exchequer.
The R i g h t Hon.
H 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 . O . ,
O.B.B., K.C., M.P., Secretary of
S t a t e f o r Home A f f a i r s .
The R i g h t Hon.
S i r Samuel H o a r e , B t . , G . C . S . I . ,
G.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 Marquess o f L o n d o n d e r r y ,
K . G . , M.V.O., Lord P r i v y S e a l .
The R i g h t Hon.
* The V i s c o u n t H a l i f a x , K.G. ,
G.C.S.I., G . C I . E . , Secretary
of S t a t e f o r War,
The R i g h t Hon.
J . H . Thomas, M . P . ,
Secretary of State f o r
Affairs.
The R i g h t Hon.
\ Sir P h i l i p C u n l i f f e - L i s t e r ,
B G . B . E . , M.C. , M.P. , S e c r e t a r y
State 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 for India.
of
Dominion
The R i g h t Hon.
flj S i r G o d f r e y C o l l i n s , K . B . E . ,
I C M . G . , M.P. , S e c r e t a r y o f
State f o r Scotland.
The R i g h t Hon.
Malcolm MacDonald,
S e c r e t a r y of State
Colonies.
The R i g h t Hon,
.' W a l t e r Runciman, M.P. ,
I P r e s i d e n t o f the Board o f
The R i g h t Hon.
S i r Bolton Eyres M o n s e l l ,
M . P . , F i r s t Lord o f t h e
Admiralty.
Trade.
M.P.,
f o r the
G.B.E.,
The R i g h t Hon.
Anthony Eden, M . C , M.P. ,
I M i n i s t e r f o r League o f N a t i o n s
Wk A f f a i r s .
The R i g h t Hon.
Lord Eustace Percy,
M i n i s t e r without P o r t f o l i o .
The R i g h t Hon.
I I W a l t e r E l l i o t , M.C. , M . P . ,
H I M i n i s t e r f o r A g r i c u l t u r e and
I
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 e f the Board o f
Education.
-The R i g h t Hon.
S i r K i n g s l e y Wood, M . P . ,
( * Minister of Health.
The R i g h t Hon.
E r n e s t Brown, M . C ,
M i n i s t e r of Labour.
The R i g h t Hon.
W. Ormsby-Gore, M . P . ,
F i r s t Commissioner o f Works.
of
M.P.,
IDISPUTE BETWEEN
I ITALY AND
f
:
ABYSSINIA
(ETHIOPIA) .
General.
II
; '!(Previous
MB fjpf^p enc e '
m C a b i n e t 39
( 3 5 ) , Con­
c l u s i o n 1.)
l.The
general
C a b i n e t resumed t h e i r
d i s c u s s i o n on t h e
question of the dispute between I t a l y
A b y s s i n i a , which had been adjourned a t t h e
Meeting in order t o
Foreign Affairs
give the Secretary
before
of state
proposals.
Affairs
(CP.-151
further
(35))
for
on t h e
The S e c r e t a r y
brought
t h e end of
of S t a t e f o r
before
t h e month.
Foreign
t h e f o l l o w i n g new f a c t o r s
referred
League
probable
p r o c e d u r e a t Geneva when t h e d i s p u t e comes
t h e C o u n c i l towards
for
They a g a i n had
them a Memorandum by t h e M i n i s t e r
o f Nations
previous
time t o consider the matter
and t o f o r m u l a t e f r e s h
and
Affairs
s i n c e the Meeting
to i n the margin t o the a t t e n t i o n of
the
Cabinet;
In Paris
interest
of
t h e French Government was showing more
i n t h e q u e s t i o n as t h e M e e t i n g o f
t h e League of N a t i o n s
in particular
in Paris
t o telegrams
of
from t h e B r i t i s h
of the
t o t h e League
showed t h e d e s i r e o f
tion
He drew
Italy
These telegrams
France t o s e c u r e t h e
when t h e C o u n c i l m e t .
representa­
The French
Government a l s o appeared r a t h e r k e e n e r than
In I t a l y
attitude.
(1)
that
o f a change
S i g n o r M u s s o l i n i had not y e t
signatories
of a Conference
of the Abyssinian T r e a t y ,
and ( 3 )
of
accepted,
of the
three
namely,
t h e I t a l i a n Government should be
a t Geneva,
before
Conference.
t h e r e w e r e no s i g n s
t h e two p r e - c o n d i t i o n s
insist­
Covenant and French
of Nations.
on t h e p r o p o s e d t h r e e - P o w e r
attention
Ambassador
(Nos... 143 and 143) r e p o r t i n g French
ence on t h e s a n c t i t y
loyalty
approached.
the Council
represented
t h a t t h e y should, n o t h a v e
recourse
t o war w i t h A b y s s i n i a w h i l e t h e C o n f e r e n c e was - s i t t i n g . .
The f o r m e r
condition,
explained l a t e r ,
I t a l y might
as t h e S e c r e t a r y
was v e r y
of
State
i m p o r t a n t , because
otherwise
s u c c e e d i n k e e p i n g t h e League out o f
the
question altogether,
that neither
real
issues
i n which c a s e i t was
possible
P r a n c e n o r I t a l y would f a c e up t o
the
and t h e r e m i g h t not even b e a t h r e e - P o w e r
C onference.
It
early
seemed p r o b a b l e t h a t t h e C o u n c i l would meet
next week.
narrow q u e s t i o n
The d i s c u s s i o n m i g h t b e g i n on t h e
o f a f i f t h member t o t h e
Commission, but
to the general
$£LLM-D
Conciliation
wao botund t o
£ILA^
question.
The S e c r e t a r y
o f S t a t e added t h a t he was
up t h e s u g g e s t i o n made a t t h e l a s t M e e t i n g ,
D e s p a t c h should b e s e n t t o t h e B r i t i s h
Paris
that
f o r him t o hand t o M, L a v a l ,
this
talks
i n P a r i s and. o f t h e
t a l k s w i t h t h e French a t G e n e v a .
he proposed, t o d e p l o y
following
that a
Ambassador
of
the
preliminary
In this
Despatch
the w h o l e c a s e as t o the­
dangers t o European p e a c e and. s e c u r i t y
involved
i n an
I t a l o - A b y s s i n i a n w a r , and t o end on t h e n o t e t h a t
two Governments
war.
ought t o a g r e e a p o l i c y
His aim was t o a v o i d
by e i t h e r
\ Covenant,
I
crude q u e s t i o n s
out t h e i r
obligations
jointly
\the d i f f i c u l t y .
i n t e r e s t e d t o find
He f e l t
g i v e the Minister
wide authority
obligations
for
that
b e i n g put
under
t o put a l l
were
the
that
and w e r e
a way out
of
i t was n e c e s s a r y
to
League o f N a t i o n s
Affairs
present
very
p o s s i b l e p r e s s u r e on t h e
Drench t o j o i n us i n i n d u c i n g S i g n e r M u s s o l i n i
modify h i s
the
averting
The u n d e r l y i n g assumption, would be
\ b o t h Powers r e a l i s e d t h e i r
therefore
for
s i d e t o t h e o t h e r as t o w h e t h e r they
prepared t o carry
at
and he p r o p o s e d
Despatch should be t h e b a s i s
Ambassador's
extend
to
attitude.
The C a b i n e t w e r e i n f o r m e d t h a t t h e L i t t l e
w e r e p u t t i n g p r e s s u r e on t h e French i n t h e same
d i r e c t i o n as our s e I v e s .
Entente
If
the I t a l i a n s
should r e f u s e t o be
represented
at Geneva or should w i t h d r a w owing t o t h e
of the discussions
thought that
to
beyond t h e Wal-Wal i n c i d e n t ,
t h e C o u n c i l would b e bound,
consider the Abyssinian
proposals
Abyssinia,
nevertheless,
and met w i t h a good
t h a t we should be on our guard
for
i t was
appeal.
The v i e w was e x p r e s s e d ,
of support,
extension
a s e t t l e m e n t which was not
deal
against
fair
to
and t h a t we should aim a t a s e t t l e m e n t
acceptable to Abyssinia
and. w i t h i n t h e g e n e r a l
frame­
work, o f t h e L e a g u e .
m
h e C a b i n e t w e r e i n f o r m e d t h a t such
information
as was a v a i l a b l e
indicated that the I t a l i a n s
were
faced with
difficulties,
Eritrea,
great
on t h e m i l i t a r y
ready t o b e g i n
especially
s i d e o f t h e p r o b l e m , and m i g h t not be
operations
even i n O c t o b e r .
o p i n i o n f o r c e d them t o a c t p r e m a t u r e l y
running g r e a t r i s k .
the view
of
in
If
t h e y would b e
T h i s was u n d e r s t o o d a l s o t o b e
t h e French G e n e r a l
Staff.
T h e r e was g e n e r a l a c c e p t a n c e o f t h e v i e w
t h e r e were advantages,
for
public
for the present,
in
that
playing
t i m e , as t h e l o n g e r a c a t a s t r o p h e c o u l d be
averted
t h e g r e a t e r would b e the r e a l i s a t i o n by I t a l y , o f
difficulties
directions,
by w h i c h she was c o n f r o n t e d
from many
and. t h e hope o f a weakening on h e r
'— though t h e p r o s p e c t s w e r e not b r i g h t
The C a b i n e t a g r e e d
the
part
a t t h e moment.
—
That 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 should p r o c e e d on t h e l i n e s t h a t
he had i n d i c a t e d in. h i s s t a t e m e n t summarised
abovev
that is t o say, t o continue e f f o r t s
t o i n d u c e t h e French Government t o combine
w i t h o u r s e l v e s i n p u t t i n g p r e s s u r e on t h e
I t a l i a n Government t o modify t h e i r a t t i t u d e :
and t h a t 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 - should be g i v e n latitude
t o pursue t h e same p o l i c y at t h e f o r t h c o m i n g
M e e t i n g o f t h e C o u n c i l o f t h e League of
Nat i o n s .
BETWEEN
MAW AND
KBYSSINTA
(PPPIOPIA).
Supply o f A n
to A b y s s i n i a
(previous
Reference:
Cabinet 39
(.35), Oon­
clusion 2.)
The C a b i n e t f u r t h e r
2,
b-rcpTTTF
of
the supply
considered the
o f arms t o A b y s s i n i a ,
and
question
certain
s u b s i d i a r y m a t t e r s , which had been p o s t p o n e d a t
the
M e e t i n g mentioned, i n t h e m a r g i n , and a g a i n had b e f o r e
them t h e f o l l o w i n g
documents:-
Memoranda by t h e S e c r e t a r y o f
for Foreign Affairs ( C P , - 1 4 7
and C , P . - 1 3 8 ( 3 5 ) ) :
State
(35)
A Memorandum by t h e S e c r e t a r y o f
S t a t e fof t h ^ C o l o n i e s ( C . P . - 1 4 6
(35)) .
The S e c r e t a r y
of
State
informed t h e Cabinet that
if
for
Foreign
l i c e n c e s were
for
the export
few
days t h e r e would, b e f i e r c e
of a settlement.
In a d d i t i o n ,
upset
resentment
transit
at a u n i l a t e r a l
t o any hope
carry
out our
under t h e e x i s t i n g T r e a t i e s
of being
Italy
d e c i s i o n on our
across B r i t i s h t e r r i t o r y .
advantage
in
next
t h e French Government
His a d v i c e t o t h e C a b i n e t was t o
obligations
granted
o f arms t o A b y s s i n i a w i t h i n t h e
and t h e d o o r would b e shut i r r e v o c a b l y
would b e
-Affairs
part.
definite:
and t o
allow
T h i s had t h e
i n consonance w i t h t h e French
attitude.
On t h e q u e s t i o n o f
t o the view t h a t ,
if
w i t h by t h e n a t i o n s
might
export
possible,
l i c e n c e s he
inclined
t h i s should be
collectively,
and t h a t t h e m a t t e r
be r a i s e d , i n t h e most a p p r o p r i a t e way,
soundings might
dealt
be t a k e n by t h e M i n i s t e r
for
o f N a t i o n s A f f a i r s , when t h e C o u n c i l m e t .
or
League
This
would
p o s t p o n e a d e c i s i o n f o r - t e n d a y s , a f t e r which, a
final
d e c i s i o n might be t a k e n .
The - a t t e n t i o n
i n the Press
t h e export
outburst
in
o f t h e C a b i n e t was drawn t o
t h a t we had a l r e a d y
of
arms t o A b y s s i n i a ,
Italy.
I t was f e l t
s t a t e m e n t must b e made t o
clear
reports
issued l i c e n c e s
for
which had caused an
that
some p u b l i c
the matter
up.
The C a b i n e t w e r e i n f o r m e d t h a t
S o m a l i l a n d had now n o t i f i e d
Colonies
the
the Secretary
/ t h a t he d i d n o t c o n s i d e r i t
in transit
o f arms t h e l e s s
of
of
State for
i n d i s p e n s a b l e t h a t arms
through t h e P r o t e c t o r a t e
p a n i e d by an e s c o r t ,
the Governor
s h o u l d b e accom­
and t h a t t h e l a r g e r
need, was t h e r e f o r
an
the
quantities
escorts
The Cabinet w e r e informed, a l s o t h a t
no
licences
f o r e x p o r t o f any arms t o I t a l y had been g i v e n s i n c e
March, when t h e c r i s i s was not y e t a c u t e , and t h a t
at
the present
were held
time a l l
were f o r e s e e n
r a i s i n g the question
its
the d i f f i c u l t y
encounter
of
c o l l e c t i v e a c t i o n at
the l a r g e r
mentioned,
either
throughout
disadvantage
firms
for
for
adverse
of a decision to
refuse
t h e means t o defend, t h e m s e l v e s .
of a l l o w i n g a l l
of view
orders
fromAbyssinia
in this
of the capacity
and moral
of
country,
our armament
out,
point of v i e w ,
both,
of the Treaty
19 30, r e g u l a t i n g t h e i m p o r t a t i o n
o f arms,, ammunition and implements
on t h e q u e s t i o n o f
being
was
a r o s e as t o t h e p r e c i s e b e a r i n g ,
o f August S I ,
the l e g a l
or I t a l i a n s
elsewhere instead o f
from t h e l e g a l
to
nations.
p r o d u c t i o n , was a l s o p o i n t e d
Doubts
Ethiopia
and owing
o f B r i t i s h weapons
Abyssinians
Black A f r i c a
t o t h e Abyss i n i a n s
from t h e p o i n t
Geneva,
Italian
t h e C a b i n e t w e r e reminded o f t h e
t o be p l a c e d
of
t h e B r i t i s h r e p r e s e n t a t i v e would,
in g i v i n g advice t o other
used t o k i l l
he
on t h e
question,
While the u n d e s i r a b i l i t y
m
countries
in the matter
probable repercussion
a t t i t u d e towards
effect
t o both
up.
Difficulties
owing t o
licences
export.
of war,
A s u g g e s t i o n was made t h a t
q u e s t i o n might w i t h advantage be
an O p i n i o n by t h e Law O f f i c e r s
-5­
into
referred
o f t h e Crown.
The a t t e n t i o n
o f t h e C a b i n e t was drawn t o
f o l l o w i n g Q u e s t i o n t h a t had b e e n put down f o r
i n t h e TTouse o f Commons the. same
"Major
Sir
the
answer
afternoon:­
Archibald S i n c l a i r ,
- To ask
t h e P r e s i d e n t o f t h e B o a r d ' o f Trade
what r e s t r i c t i o n s h a v e been p l a c e d
by His M a j e s t y s Government on t h e
e x p o r t o f arms, a i r c r a f t , or o t h e r
m i l i t a r y s u p p l i e s t o A b y s s i n i a which
do not a p p l y t o s i m i l a r ' e x p o r t s t o
Italy:
and w h e t h e r F i s M a j e s t y ' s
Government i s t a k i n g any i n t e r n a t i o n a l
a c t i o n w i t h a v i e w t o p l a c i n g an
embargo upon t h e e x p o r t o f such m a t e r i a l
t o e i t h e r or both o f t h e s e c o u n t r i e s " .
f
The C a b i n e t a g r e e d
—
(a)
That, in view of the probable adverse
e f f e c t of a decision to issue licences
f o r e x p o r t a t i o n t o A b y s s i n i a o f arms
and m u n i t i o n s o f war on. t h e a t t i t u d e
o f I t a l y and F r a n c e , and c o n s e q u e n t l y
on t h e c r i t i c a l n e g o t i a t i o n s i n w h i c h
we were engaged f o r t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n
o f peace ( a s d e s c r i b e d i n C o n c l u s i o n 1 ) ,
we should f u l f i l our o b l i g a t i o n s under
e x i s t i n g T r e a t i e s t o a l l o w t r a n s i t of
arms and m u n i t i o n s o f war a c r o s s B r i t i s h
t e r r i t o r y , but s h o u l d n o t f o r t h e p r e s e n t
i s s u e l i c e n c e s f o r the e x p o r t a t i o n of
arms and m u n i t i o n s o f war t o e i t h e r
I t a l y or A b y s s i n i a .
Our e v e n t u a l
a t t i t u d e must b e g o v e r n e d by t h e
p r i n c i p l e of equal t r e a t m e n t t o b o t h
countries:
(b)
That t h e r e p l y t o t h e f i r s t p a r t o f
S i r Archibald. S i n c l a i r ' s Question
s h o u l d be t o t h e e f f e c t t h a t no
d i s c r i m i n a t i o n has b e e n e x e r c i s e d as
between I t a l y and. A b y s s i n i a , and s i n c e
t h e s i t u a t i o n became c r i t i c a l no l i c e n c e s
h a v e been i s s u e d f o r e x p o r t o f arms t o
e i t h e r country.
The r e p l y t o t h e second
part of the Question should be t h a t a
s t a t e m e n t would b e made by t h e S e c r e t a r y
of State for Foreign Affairs within the
n e x t few d a y s :
(c)
That 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 s h o u l d d r a f t t h e Statement
r e f e r r e d , t o a b o v e at t h e end o f ( b )
in the l i g h t of the Cabinet's discussions
on t h e s u b j e c t and on t h e l i n e s o f
C o n c l u s i o n ' ( a ) a b o v e . He should a v o i d
any s u g g e s t i o n o f c o l l e c t i v e a c t i o n , or
t h a t t h e q u e s t i o n would b e r a i s e d f o r m a l l y
a t the forthcoming Meeting o f the C o u n c i l ,
and s h o u l d e x e r c i s e c a u t i o n i n any
r e f e r e n c e t o soundings t h a t may b e t a k e n
a t Geneva:
( d ) That t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r t h e
C o l o n i e s should, h a v e a u t h o r i t y t o
.endorse t h e a t t i t u d e o f t h e G o v e r n o r
I
o f S o m a l i l a n d as t o e s c o r t s f o r
t r a n s i t o f arms and m u n i t i o n s b e i n g
u n n e c e s s a r y , but should r e s e r v e
sending his r e p l y u n t i l a f t e r 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 had made t h e Statement i n
Parliament r e f e r r e d t o in ( c ) above.
3 . The C a b i n e t
protection
considered
the question of
of B r i t i s h subjects
in Abyssinia,
i n paragraph 5 o f t h e Memorandum by t h e
of
State for
Foreign A f f a i r s
The S e c r e t a r y
Cabinet
of
India
raised
Secretary
(35)).
(C , P . - 1 4 7
State for
informed
t h a t h e had a g r e e d w i t h t h e S e c r e t a r y
State for
Foreign A f f a i r s
a Statement
I n d i a by t h e V i c e r o y r e l a t i n g
Indian subjects.
Balf
the r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
and l o y a l
f i r m , had r e f u s e d
and t h e q u e s t i o n o f t h e i r
the
of
t o b e made
t o the p r o t e c t i o n
the Indians
including
the
of
in
of
i n Abyss i n i a ,
one v e r y
to leave the
p r o t e c t i o n was
wealthy
country,
therefore
important.
m
he
Secretary
of
t h e s u g g e s t i o n was t o
the Capital
Government
and t o
State for
Foreign Affairs
said
concentrate B r i t i s h subjects
increase the guard.
d i s l i k e d the idea
The
Egyptian
o f s e n d i n g a guard
of
Sudanese from t h e Sudan, and i t m i g h t b e
necessary
f o r him t o ask f o r
in
a s s i s t a n c e from I n d i a
respect.
The C a b i n e t approved t h e o r o p o s a l s
i n C P . - 1 4 7 ( 3 5 ) , P a r a g r a p h 5 ) as a
g e n e r a l g u i d e f o r t h e p r e s e n t as t o
the pr o t ect ion of B r i t i s h subjects
In A b y s s i n i a .
in
this
DISPUTE BETWEEN
ITALY AND
ABYSSINIA
(ETHIOPIA).
—
Appointment
of O f f i c i a l
Sub-Committee.
4 . On t h e s u g g e s t i o n o f t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r ,
and i n v i e w
agreed
of the approaching Recess, t h e Cabinet
—
T h a t a Sub-Committee o f t h e Committee
o f I m p e r i a l D e f e n c e , composed as
follows —
Repres e n t a t i v e s
m
of
he Foreign Office
Th e
The
The
The
The
The
The
The
(including the
Chairman),
T r e a s ur y ,
War O f f i c e ,
Dominions O f f i c e ,
Air Ministry
Colonial Office,
Board, o f T r a d e ,
Admiralty,
I n d i a O f f i c e ( t o a t t e n d when I n d i a n
i n t e r e s t s are affected)
should, d e a l w i t h q u e s t i o n s r e f e r r e d
t o i t by (Government Departments on
Abyssinia.
The Committee would w o r k ,
m u t a t j s . m u t a n d i s , on t h e same l i n e s
as t h e O f f i c i a l M i d d l e East Sub-Committee;.
mHB A I R DEFENCE
5. The C a b i n e t had b e f o r e them an I n t e r i m R e p o r t
qYFTEM OP G-REA.T
P R T T A I N — R E - ( 0 . P . - 1 4 4 ( 3 5 ) ) o f t h e Sub-Committee o f t h e Committee
ORIENTATION OF.
—
o f I m p e r i a l D e f e n c e on D e f e n c e P o l i c y and R e q u i r e m e n t s ,
Interim R e p o r t .
on t h e q u e s t i o n o f t h e R e o r i e n t a t i o n o f t h e A i r
(previous
Refpr^nc^:
Cabinet 38
( 3 5 ) , Con­
elusion 2.)
D e f e n c e System o f G r e a t B r i t a i n .
Sub-Committee w e r e not y e t
recommendations
as t o t h e r a t e a t which t h e s t a g e s
provisional
(II)
t h e y had r e a c h e d
approval:­
To a p p r o v e i n p r i n c i p l e t h a t t h e f i n a l ,
scheme, as l a i d down i n paragraphs 35
and 36 on. page 11 o f t h e R e p o r t by a
Sub-Committee on t h e R e - o r i e n t a t i o n
o f t h e A i r D e f e n c e System, o f Great
B r i t a i n and as I l l u s t r a t e d i n Map N o . 3
attached, t o t h a t R e p o r t , i s t h e scheme
t o b e aimed a t .
Subject t o the f u r t h e r consideration,
which i s now b e i n g g i v e n t o t h e r a t e
a t which t h e s t a g e s o f t h e w h o l e Scheme
should be c o m p l e t e d , t o a p p r o v e t h e
c o m p l e t i o n by 1940 o f t h a t p a r t o f
Stage 1 of the defences described i n
t h e f o l l o w i n g p a r t s o f p a r a g r a p h 49
on p a g e 13 o f t h e R e p o r t on t h e R e ­
o r i e n t a t i o n o f t h e A i r D e f e n c e System
of Great B r i t a i n : ­
( a ) The p a r t i a l p r o v i s i o n o f A,.A.
defences in the Inner A r t i l l e r y
Zone c o v e r i n g G r e a t e r London and
c o n s i s t i n g o f 8 A . A , b a t t e r i e s and
6 s e a r c h l i g h t companies:
(ill)
(b)
t h e p r o v i s i o n o f 9 o f t h e A..A.
b a t t e r i e s f o r t h e Outer A r t i l l e r y
Z o n e , o f which 5 a r e t o be l o c a t e d
i n t h e Thames and Medway a r e a :
(c)
the p r o v i s i o n of s e a r c h l i g h t s in
t h e A i r c r a f t F i g h t i n g Zone and Outer
A r t i l l e r y Zone from Portsmouth, t o
H u n t i n g d o n , e x c e p t t h a t t h e depth
of the portion of the A i r c r a f t
F i g h t i n g Zone from Portsmouth t o
Godalming s h o u l d b e l i m i t e d t e m p o r ­
a r i l y t o 15 m i l e s .
This w i l l r e q u i r e
36 s e a r c h l i g h t c o m p a n i e s .
To r e s e r v e f o r f u r t h e r d i s c u s s i o n and
c o n s i d e r a t i o n that part of the proposals
f o r Stage 1 (contained, i n sub-paragraph
( d ) of paragraph 49) which r e l a t e s t o
t h e r a i s i n g and t r a i n i n g o f a d d i t i o n a l
A . A * d e f e n c e u n i t s f o r t h e second and
t h i r d stages ,
of
the
C o n c l u s i o n s , which t h e y
submitted to the Cabinet f o r
(I)
the
i n a p o s i t i o n t o make
t h e scheme should, b e c o m p l e t e d ,
following
Although
( T V ) To t a k e n o t e of t h e f a c t t h a t t h e
p r o p o s a l ( c o n t a i n e d i n sub-paragraph
?e) o f paragraph 49) f o r t h e
e x p a n s i o n o f t h e O b s e r v e r Corps
O r g a n i s a t i o n had a l r e a d y been
a p p r o v e d by t h e Committee o f
I m p e r i a l Defence at t h e i r Meeting
h e l d on t h e 1.6th A p r i l , 1935, when
t h e y had under c o n s i d e r a t i o n a R e p o r t
o n t h e O r g a n i s a t i o n and Expansion
of
t h e O b s e r v e r Corps ( C . I . D . Paper
No. 206-A).
(v)
To t a k e n o t e o f t h e c o n t e n t s and
c o n c l u s i o n s o f t h e I n t e r i m Report
o f t h e Sub-Coromittee on A i r D e f e n c e
R e s e a r c h ( P a p e r N o . .D.P.R.-3.) ,
Some doubts were e x p r e s s e d as t o the
expediency
of
a d o p t i n g a scheme t h e
effectiveness
o f which was s u b j e c t t o the l i m i t a t i o n s
i n the R e p o r t o f
the Chiefs o f
Staff
indicated
Sub-Committee;
the manning arrangements f o r which had n o t y e t
worked out s a t i s f a c t o r i l y ,
been
and which would c o s t a
v e r y l a r g e sum o f money t o c o m p l e t e .
The C a b i n e t were reminded,
that the Chiefs
of
Staff
nevertheless,
Sub-Committee had a p p r o v e d
t h e scheme as " t h e p r o p e r one t o be aimed a t " ;
t h a t the C h i e f s
meetings of
of S t a f f
had taken p a r t
the Sub-Committee
Requirements;
and t h a t
in
the
on D e f e n c e P o l i c y
the Sub-Committee on A i r
Defence R e s e a r c h had e x p r e s s e d the o p i n i o n
that
the recommendations s h o u l d b e a c c e p t e d pending
practical
d e v e l o p m e n t and the p r o v i s i o n o f
The
C a b i n e t were a l s o reminded t h a t t h e y w e r e
only
being i n v i t e d to approve.the f i n a l
in
scheme
and n o t i n d e t a i l as w e l l a s
the
c o m p l e t i o n b y 1940 o f p a r t o f S t a g e I o f
"subject
to the f u r t h e r
the
the
a p p a r a t u s and weapons now b e i n g e x p l o r e d .
principle
and
the p l a n
c o n s i d e r a t i o n which i s now
b e i n g g i v e n t o t h e r a t e a t w h i c h the s t a g e s o f
the
w h o l e scheme s h o u l d he
completed".
The s u g g e s t i o n was made t h a t a t any moment
the q u e s t i o n m i g h t he r a i s e d i n P a r l i a m e n t or i n
P r e s s as t o what p r o v i s i o n was b e i n g made f o r
defence
of
this nature
and t h a t from a
p o i n t o f v i e w i t was i m p o r t a n t
The S e c r e t a r y o f
decision.
Foreign
Affairs
s a i d t h a t he was n o t a t a l l happy as t o t h e
o f c o m p l e t i o n f o r w h i c h the p l a n s under
had been worked o u t .
a t the F o r e i g n O f f i c e
being e a r l i e r
possibly
All
dates
consideration
t h e i n f o r m a t i o n he had
p o i n t e d t o the
critical
than was a n t i c i p a t e d i n
i n d e e d as e a r l y as 1938.
these
He was
and Requirements Committee b y the C h i e f o f
I m p e r i a l General S t a f f and the Chief
concerned
Policy
the
of the A i r
the r a t e a t w h i c h German p r e p a r a t i o n s
being carried
date
plans;
a l s o at information furnished t o the Defence
as t o
air
political
to take a
State f o r
the
Staff
were
out.
The L o r d P r e s i d e n t o f
the Council
t h a t the d a t e a t which we s h o u l d aim i n
reported
defensive
p r e p a r a t i o n was under c o n s i d e r a t i o n b y t h e
Ministerial
Committee on D e f e n c e P o l i c y and R e q u i r e m e n t s
he w o u l d p r o b a b l y have t o p r e s e n t a R e p o r t
C a b i n e t on t h e s u b j e c t a t an e a r l y
The C a b i n e t
to
and
the
date.
agreed:-
To a p p r o v e the f o l l o w i n g recommendations
o f t h e Sub-Committee on D e f e n c e P o l i c y
and Requirements ­
(I)
(II)
To approve i n p r i n c i p l e t h a t t h e
f i n a l scheme, as l a i d down i n
p a r a g r a p h s 35 and 36 on page 11
o f the R e p o r t by a Sub-Committee
on the R e - o r i e n t a t i o n o f the A i r
D e f e n c e System o f Great B r i t a i n
and as i l l u s t r a t e d i n Map No. 3
attached to t h a t Report, i s the
scheme t o be aimed a t .
Subject t o the f u r t h e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n
which i s now b e i n g g i v e n t o t h e
r a t e a t which t h e s t a g e s o f t h e
w h o l e scheme s h o u l d he c o m p l e t e d , t o
a p p r o v e the c o m p l e t i o n by 1940 o f t h a t
p a r t o f Stage 1 o f t h e d e f e n c e s d e s c r i b e d
i n the f o l l o w i n g p a r t s of p a r a g r a p h 49
on page 13 o f the R e p o r t on the
R e - o r i e n t a t i o n o f t h e A i r D e f e n c e System
of Great B r i t a i n : ­
(a)
The p a r t i a l provision o f A . A .
d e f e n c e s i n the I n n e r A r t i l l e r y
Zone c o v e r i n g G r e a t e r London and
consisting of 8 A.A. b a t t e r i e s
and 6 s e a r c h l i g h t companies:
(b)
the p r o v i s i o n o f 9 o f the A . A .
b a t t e r i e s f o r t h e Outer A r t i l l e r y
Zone, o f w h i c h 5 a r e t o be l o c a t e d
i n the Thames and Medway a r e a :
(c)
the p r o v i s i o n of s e a r c h l i g h t s i n
the A i r c r a f t F i g h t i n g Zone and Outer
A r t i l l e r y Zone from Portsmouth t o
Huntingdon, e x c e p t t h a t t h e d e p t h
o f the p o r t i o n o f t h e A i r c r a f t
F i g h t i n g Zone from Portsmouth t o
Godalming s h o u l d be l i m i t e d t e m p o r ­
a r i l y t o 15 m i l e s .
This w i l l r e q u i r e
36 s e a r c h l i g h t companies.
SINGAPORE
DEFENCES.
6
*
The C a b i n e t had b e f o r e them a R e p o r t
Singapore Defences
Report o f
g^b-Committee
on D e f e n c e
P o l i c y and
Reouirement s
(Previous
Reference:
Cabinet 6
( 3 5 ) , Conelusion 4 . )
of
(C.P.-152
I m p e r i a l Defence
(35))
by t h e
on
Committee
Sub-Committee on D e f e n c e
Policy
. and R e q u i r e m e n t s .
The C o n c l u s i o n s and recommendat i o n s o f t h e Sub-Committee w e r e summarised a t t h e
end o f t h e i r R e p o r t
(a)
in the f o l l o w i n g
terms:-
That w i t h o u t p r e j u d i c e t o t h e f i n a l
scheme f o r t h e p r o v i s i o n of S t a g e I I
o f the Singapore Defences, the g i f t
o f t h e S u l t a n o f Johore amounting t o
£500,000 s h o u l d be d i s t r i b u t e d as
follows:­
(i)
(ii)
£400,000 t o t h e War O f f i c e
t o b e d e v o t e d t o t h e comp1e­
t i o n o f t h e 1 5 - i n c h gun
b a t t e r i e s a t Bee Hoe ( 3 guns)
and Buona V i s t a ( 2 g u n s ) .
£100,000 t o t h e A i r M i n i s t r y t o
meet t h e c o s t o f a c c e l e r a t i n g '
t h e p r e p a r a t i o n o f t h e second
and t h i r d l a n d i n g - g r o u n d s and
f o r p r o v i d i n g accommodation f o r
the non-regular (spotting) f l i g h t
at the c i v i l aerodrome.
( b ) T h a t t h e J o i n t Oversea and Home D e f e n c e
Committee s h o u l d c o n s i d e r and r e p o r t ,
w h a t f u r t h e r s t e p s a r e r e q u i r e d on t h e
p a r t of a l l Services to complete the
d e f e n c e s o f t h e b a s e subsequent t o
Stage I .
The C a b i n e t a p p r o v e d t h e
recommendations.
-14­
above
£T? BF.RT SUGAR
INDUSTRY.
jtagport o f
fcabinet
Committee.
;(Previous
' Reference:
Cabinet 31
f S5)
ConI elusion 9 . )
7.
The C a b i n e t had b e f o r e
the Cabinet
them t h e R e p o r t
of
(35)),
Committee on B e e t Sugar ( G . P . - 1 5 5
t o whom t h e R e p o r t
of
t h e U n i t e d Kingdom Sugar
Industry
I n q u i r y Committee (Cmd. 4871) had been
referred
a t t h e M e e t i n g h e l d on May 82nd ( C a b i n e t
(35),
to
Conclusion 4 ) .
The Cabinet
50
Committee had come
t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t under p r e s e n t
conditions
there
was no p r a c t i c a l a l t e r n a t i v e but t o p r o v i d e a measure
of
State assistance
for the industry,
a d o p t i o n by t h e C a b i n e t
Report)
and recommended
o f a scheme ( a t t a c h e d , t o
proposed by a Committee o f O f f i c i a l s
b e s t method t h a t
as
c o u l d be devised, f o r
dealing
the s i t u a t i o n .
The C a b i n e t Committee
further
recommended,
the proposals
if
contained
in
R e p o r t w e r e a p p r o v e d i n p r i n c i p l e by t h e
that
the Chancellor
of Agriculture
announcement
and t o
in
into
out t h e i r
their
Cabinet,
consultation before
to
any
d e c i s i o n was made,
c o - o p e r a t e w i t h t h e Government
proposals.
The Prime M i n i s t e r
Committee f o r
with
should b e a u t h o r i s e d
o f the Government's
i n v i t e them t o
carrying
the
o f t h e Bxcheauer and. t h e M i n i s t e r
and F i s h e r i e s
b r i n g the industry
the
thanked the
t h e i r R e p o r t on t h i s
Cabinet
complicated
question.
After
h e a r i n g from
Exchequer a comprehensive
of
the Committee,
(a)
the C h a n c e l l o r
of
s t a t e m e n t on the
the C a b i n e t
the
proposals
agreed:
To approve the p r o p o s a l s i n Co P. 155 ( 3 5 )
s u b j e c t t o t h e m o d i f i c a t i o n o f the l a s t
paragraph/in ( c ) below:
( b ) That the C h a n c e l l o r o f the Exchequer
and the M i n i s t e r f o r A g r i c u l t u r e and
F i s h e r i e s s h o u l d be a u t h o r i s e d t o
b r i n g the i n d u s t r y i n t o c o n s u l t a t i o n :
(c)
That the M i n i s t e r o f A g r i c u l t u r e and
Fisheries shouldbe authorised early
n e x t week t o make a s t a t e m e n t i n P a r l i a ­
ment w i t h o u t f u r t h e r r e f e r e n c e to the
Cabinet.
HP. PUBLIC
OBFS LOANS
ILL .
Pr evious
Reference:
Cabinet 38
( 3 5 ) . Conelusion 8.)
8.
The C a b i n e t had b e f o r e them a Memorandum by
the Chancellor
approval
o f t h e Exchequer
in. p r i n c i p l e
1 9 3 5 , and a u t h o r i t y
rises.
of
(0 . P . - 1 4 9 ( 3 5 ) )
t h e P u b l i c Works Loans
to introduce i t
asking;
Bill,
b e f o r e t h e House
The main purpose o f t h e P i l l was t o f i x
the
maximum sum which might be i s s u e d t o t h e P u b l i c Works
Loan Commissioners
for
t h e p u r p o s e o f making
from, t h e L o c a l Loans Bund up t o t h e d a t e o f
p a s s i n g of a f u r t h e r
loans
the
Bill,
The C a o i n e t a p p r o v e d i n p r i n c i p l e the
P u b l i c Works Loans B i l l , 1935, and
a u t h o r i s e d t h e C h a n c e l l o r o f the
Exchequer t o i n t r o d u c e i t b e f o r e the
Recess.
wr/PLGYMFiNT
WOMEN AND
TMG PERSONS
9.
The C a b i n e t had under c o n s i d e r a t i o n a Memo­
randum by t h e Home S e c r e t a r y
the d r a f t
evious
reference:
b i n s t 58
55), Con­
usion 8 . )
the
(-35))
Employment o f Women and Young
object
covering
Persons
o f which was t o p l a c e on a permanent
t h e temporary p r o v i s i o n s
t h e Employment
Act,
(H.A.-27
Bill,
basis
contained, i n S e c t i o n 3 o f
o f Women, Young P e r s o n s and. C h i l d r e n
1920, under w h i c h women and young persons may be
employed
in a f a c t o r y
day-shifts:
or workshop on a system o f
together with the following
by t h e Committee o f Home A f f a i r s
Conclusions
(35),Minute
thereon
recommendation
(.H.A.-G.
1):­
" T o a u t h o r i s e t h e introdi.icti.on i n t h e
Bouse o f Commons o f t h e Employment, o f
Women and Young P e r s o n s B i l l , i n t h e
form o f t h e d r a f t annexed t o H . A . - 2 7
( 3 5 ) , s u b j e c t t o t h e amendment o f
C l a u s e 4 , and s u b j e c t a l s o t o any
d r a f t i n g or o t h e r m i n o r a l t e r a t i o n s
t h a t may be found n e c e s s a r y or
desirable:
i t being understood t h a t
t h e Second R e a d i n g and subsequent
s t a g e s of t h e B i l l w i l l be d e f e r r e d
u n t i l a f t e r t h e Stunner Recess
The C a b i n e t a p p r o v e d the above
recommendation o f the Committee
o f Home A f f a i r s ,
-17­
two
10th
EXPIRING
LAWS CONTINUASOE B I L L .
tpffTJ;
f previous'
Reference:
Cabinet 38
( 3 5 ) , Conclusion 8.)
10.
The C a b i n e t had under c o n s i d e r a t i o n a Memo-
r a n d tan by t h e F i n a n c i a l S e c r e t a r y
t o the Treasury
(B.A.-88 (35))
E x p i r i n g Laws
covering the draft
C o n t i n u a n c e B i l l , which had b e e n a g r e e d w i t h
Departments
the
concerned and s h o u l d become law by
December 3 1 ; 1935?'
together with the
following
recommendation by t h e Committee o f Home A f f a i r s
(.H.A.C.
10th C o n c l u s i o n s
thereon
( 3 5 ) Minute 3 ) : ­
"T-O a u t h o r i s e t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n f o r t h w i t h
I n t h e House o f Commons o f t h e E x p i r i n g
Laws C o n t i n u a n c e B i l l , i n t h e form o f
t h e d r a f t annexed t o
.-S8 ( 3 5 ) , subject
t o any d r a f t i n g or o t h e r minor a l t e r a t i o n s
t h a t may b e found n e c e s s a r y o r d e s i r a b l e ;
i t b e i n g u n d e r s t o o d t h a t t h e Second R e a d i n g
and subsequent s t a g e s o f t h e B i l l would be
d e f e r r e d u n t i l a f t e r t h e Summer Recess
The C a b i n e t a p p r o v e d the a b o v e
recommendation o f the Committee
o f Home A f f a i r s .
11.
INDIA.
The S e c r e t a r y
of
State f o r
I n d i a r a i s e d as a
m a t t e r o f urgency a q u e s t i o n r e l a t i n g
Civil
Disobedience,
I previous
I Reference:
I Cabinet 17 ( 3 4 )
" conclusion 6 ) .
continuance
to
o f t h e P r e s s A c t and c e r t a i n
the
emergency
l e g i s l a t i o n p a s s e d i n 1932 t o d e a l w i t h
the
Civil
The
D i s o b e d i e n c e Movement i n I n d i a .
t i o n was due t o e x p i r e
if,
i n December o f
a s t h e Government o f
be r e - e n a c t e d , v e r y e a r l y
taken i n I n d i a f o r
legisla­
t h i s y e a r and
India proposed,
i t \?as t o
s t e p s w o u l d have t o be
the purpose.
The S e c r e t a r y
of
S t a t e added t h a t he had p r e p a r e d a Memorandum on
the whole
question.
A t the r e q u e s t o f
India,
the Cabinet
(a)
the S e c r e t a r y
of State
for
agreed:­
That a C a b i n e t Committee composed as
follows:
The S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r I n d i a
( i n the C h a i r ) ,
The L o r d P r e s i d e n t o f t h e C o u n c i l ,
The L o r d C h a n c e l l o r ,
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
Affairs (if available),
The 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 meet t o c o n s i d e r t h e q u e s t i o n o f
the c o n t i n u a n c e of the P r e s s A c t and
c e r t a i n emergency l e g i s l a t i o n p a s s e d i n
1932 t o d e a l w i t h t h e C i v i l D i s o b e d i e n c e
Movement.
(b)
T h a t , i f the above Committee was i n
a g r e e m e n t , the S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r
I n d i a should be a u t t i o r i s e d t o p r o c e e d
on i t s recommendations w i t h o u t f u r t h e r
r e f e r e n c e t o the C a b i n e t ,
2 , W h i t e h a l l Gardens,
24th J u l y ,
1935.
S.W.I.,