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Catalogue Reference:CAB/23/82
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pOCjJMgrjT IS THE PROPERTY OP H I S B R I T A N N I C MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT)
R
E T .
COPY NO.
C A B I N E T
43 ( 3 5 ) .
M e e t i n g o f t h e C a b i n e t t o be held, a t No. 1 0 , Downing
S t r e e t , S . W . 1 . , on TUESDAY, 24th SEPTEMBER, 1935,
a t 11.0 a.in.
AGE
N D A.
1. - FRENCH REQUEST POR ASSURANCE REGARDING FUTURE BRITISH
ATTITUDE IN THE EVENT OF A RESORT TO FORCE IN EUROPE
OR OF AN INFRACTION OF THE COVENANT BY ANOTHER
EUROPEAN POWER.
(Reference
C a b i n e t 42
(35)).
Memorandum by t h e S e c r e t a r y
of
State for
Foreign
Affairs.
CP.
Draft
2.
177 ( 3 5 )
reply
-
t o be
circulated.
t o French Ambassador.
CP.
179 ( 3 5 ) .
THE ITALO -ABYS S IN IAN DISPUTE.
(Reference
C a b i n e t 42
(35)).
N o t e by the S e c r e t a r y , c o n t a i n i n g a summary o f
P r e c a u t i o n a r y Measures taken s i n c e the C a b i n e t
M e e t i n g o f 22nd A u g u s t , 1935.
C P . 176 ( 3 5 )
t o be c i r c u l a t e d .
I F TIME PERMITS: ­
3.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACT. 1955:
PROPOSED FORMAL BILL TO
SECURE THE REPRINTING OF THE ACT A S TWO SEPARATE ACTS,
ONE RELATING TO INDIA ^ND THE OTHER TO BURMA.
(Reference
Cabinet 4 ( 3 5 )
Conclusion
l).
Memorandum by t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r I n d i a .
C P . 174 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
4
'
SITUATION ON THE NORTH-WEST FRONTIER OF INDIA.
Memorandum by 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 .
C P . 173 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
5.
NATIONALITY OF MARRIED WOMEN.
( R e f e r e n c e C a b i n e t 32 ( 3 5 ) C o n c l u s i o n 6 ) ,
Memorandum "by the Home S e c r e t a r y .
C P . 171 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
6.
THE ASSYRIAN QUESTION.
(Reference
C a b i n e t 26 ( 3 4 )
Conclusion
l).
Memorandum by 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
Affairs.
C P . 172 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
(Signed)
M.P.A.
Secretary
/ W h i t e h a l l Gardens,
20th September,
S.W.I.,
1935,
HANKEY,
t o the
Cabinet.
l^p-g^DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY S GOVERNMENT).
!
ISJLILFF
E
T
COPY NO.
-
C A B I N E T
43 ( 5 5 ) .
CONCLUSIONS o f a M e e t i n g o f t h e Cabinet h e l d a t
1 0 , Downing S t r e e t , S . W . I . , on TUESDAY,
24th SEPTEMBER, 1935, a t 11.0 a.m
e
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 ) .
3 Right Hon.
1 Ramsay MacDonald, M . P . ,
Lord 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 Chamberlain, M.P. ,
C h a n c e l l o r o f the E x c h e q u e r .
e Eight Hon.
The Viscount 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,
O . B . E . , K . C . , M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of
S t a t e f o r Home A f f a i r s .
s Right Hon.
Sir Samuel H o a r e , B t . , G . C . S . I . ,
lfi.a. , C . M . G . , M . P . , 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 .
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 Seal.
I Right Hon.
The Viscount H a l i f a x , K.G. ,
I c . S . I . , G.C.I.E., Secretary
joi State f o r War.
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.
s
..
I Right Hon.
Sir P h i l i p C u n l i f f e - L i s t e r ,
BB.E., M . C . , M.P. , S e c r e t a r y
State f o r A i r .
of
The Most Hon.
The Marquess o f Z e t l a n d , G . C . S . I . ,
G. C . I . E . , S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r
India.
Right Hon.
plr Godfrey C o l l i n s , K.B.E. ,
, M.P. , S e c r e t a r y o f
(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.
light Hon.
palter Runciman, M.P. ,
Resident o f t h e Board o f T r a d e .
The R i g h t Hon.
S i r Bolton Eyres Monsell, G.B.E.,
M.P., F i r s t Lord of the Admiralty,
light Hon.
orci Eustace P e r c y ,
glister 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 f o r A g r i c u l t u r e and
Fisheries.
MBhi Hon.
S t a n l e y , M.C. , M.P. ,
resident o f t h e Board o f
wtucation.
The R i g h t Hon.
S i r K i n g s l e y Wood, M . P . ,
Minister of Health.
M
sht
Hon.
l ^ s t Brown, M.C. , M.P.
ffiister of Labour.
The R i g h t Hon.
W. Ormsby-Gore, M . P . ,
F i r s t Commissioner o f Works,
j j l i r M.p.A. Hankey, G.C.B. , G.C.M.G. , G . C . V . 0 . ,
s
Secretary.
Is
LYSSLNLAN
FRSPU^P *
jc
1
1.
T-ALO-
The C a b i n e t had b e f o r e
A M e m o r a n d u m by 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 on t h e French
request, f o r an a s s u r a n c e r e g a r d i n g
t h e future F r i t i s h a t t i t u d e in the
e v e n t o f a r e s o r t t o f o r c e i n Furope
o r o f an i n f r a c t i o n o f t h e Covenant
by a n o t h e r Furouean Power ( C . P . - 1 7 7
( 35) ) :
LATITUDE
P A R da
$motions
ftst f o r
fenera1
A d r a f t F e t e i n r e p l y t o t h e above
French r e q u e s t , c i r c u l a t e d , by t h e
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 TC . P . - 1 7 9 ( 3 5 ) ) .
i n s u r a n c e s
$Previous
Refer ence l f 9 . b i . n e t . 43
135), ConIllusion I . )
following
documents : -
ICY ­
lean
them t h e
Immediately b e f o r e the Meeting of
the following
of S t a t e f o r
telegrams
the
Cabinet
from Mr Fden t o t h e
Foreign A f f a i r s
Secretary
w e r e handed round.t-
No, 155, o f September 2 3 r d , c o n t a i n i n g
an account o f a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h
V. Penes :
No. 1 6 1 , o f September 2 3 r d , r e c o r d i n g
that, t h e Committee of F i v e had u n a n i ­
mously decid.ed. t o r e p o r t t o t h e C o u n c i l
on t h e f a i l u r e of ' t h e i r a t t e m p t t o
a ch i ev e a s e 111 em en t :
-
No. 1 6 4 , o f September 2 4 t h , d e s c r i b i n g
a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h M, L a v a l i n w h i c h
t h e l a t t e r had. emphasised, t h e s i n c e r i t y
o f h i s d e t e r m i n a t i o n t o work s t e p by
s t e p w i t h t h i s c o u n t r y and t o c a r r v out
h i s o b l i g a t i o n s under t h e C o v e n a n t , and
i n which he had a d v o c a t e d t h e w o r k i n g out
o f economic s a n c t i o n s f o r a p p l i c a t i o n i n
stages.
I t was added t h a t m e e t i n g s
b e t w e e n t h e two d e l e g a t i o n s f o r t h i s
purpos e w er e b ein.g a r r a n g e d .
As an i n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e d i s c u s s i o n
Note the Secretary
t h e Cabinet, a b r i e f
political
field
of S t a t e
account
since their
and an a p p r e c i a t i o n
of
of the
^or F o r e i g n A f f a i r s
o f developments
the present
position, in
and A b y s s i n i a .
t h i s he r e p o r t e d
I t a l y had. not a f r i e n d
Even A u s t r i a , whose g e n e r a l
to
Italy,
the
was shocked by t h e p r e s e n t
in
of
Furope.
favourable
Italian
attitude:
favourable
a c t i o n , was p r e p a r e d t o p l a y
22nd,
the
In the course
a t t i t u d e was
and P o l a n d , which was not g e n e r a l l y
collective
in
gave
l a s t M e e t i n g on August
dispute between I t a l y
that
French
its
to
part
if
countries
play
l i k e H o l l a n d and Sweden w e r e p r e p a r e d
their
part.
Spain v a s s t i l l
h a v e t o come in i n t h e e v e n t
He was c o n v i n c e d t h a t
deliberately
of
of
shaky, hut would
collective
action.
t h e French Government had
e l e c t e d t o work w i t h us i f
collective
action arose"
that
is
the
question
to say,
p r e s s u r e , which d i d not r a i s e t h e i s s u e o f
rights.
to
economic
belligerent
V , L a v a l had v a c i l l a t e d , a t t i m e s , but had now
come round t o our own v i e w , which was c o n f i r m e d by
telegrams
laid
on t h e t a b l e ,
i n economl c/^e-et4*e*5ts-.
i t would b e e s s e n t i a l ,
sanctions
arose,
and was prepared
As r e g a r d s non-Member
if
the question
of
to
join
States
economic
intentions.
to ascertain their
the
It
lo tlcdU,
seemed, p r o b a b l e t h a t Germany, who-was not r e a d y
t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f t h e s i t u a t i o n and i n
addition
d e s p i s e d t h e I t a l i a n s , would adopt a v e r y
attitude,
a n d , though not l i k e l y
futile.
that the President
S t a t e ot tha U n i t ed S t a t e s
discreet
t o c o - o p e r a t e , would,
do n o t h i n g t o r e n d e r League a c t i o n
reason to b e l i e v e
to
He had
and S e c r e t a r y
of
o f America would/ o t i i b t o h
their
powers t o e x t e n d t h e embargo on arms and muni­
tions
to I t a l y ,
but
a c t i o n was t a k e n ,
i t would, be n e c e s s a r y ,
to get
this
clear.
o"^ S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s * s t r o n g
that
isolated
was l e s s
was
he
secretary
i m p r e s s i o n was
against. B r i t i s h
interest
p r o b a b l e than i t had b e e n , as S i g n e r
Mussolin
clearly
a c t i o n by I t a l y
m
before
impressed by t h e unanimity
of
opinion
t h e H n i t e d Fingdom and t h e w h o l e Empire, as w e l l
by t h e s t r e n g t h e n i n g
Wed i t e r r a n e a n .
Secretary
of the B r i t i s h F l e e t
At t h e end o f
in
l a s t week t h e
extent
of the reinforcements
as w e l l as t h e r e a s o n f o r
sent, t o t h e
reinforcement,
menaces i n t h e I t a l i a n P r e s s .
as
the
Foreign
had i n s t r u c t e d t h e B r i t i s h Ambassador
Rome t o s e e t h e F o r e i g n M i n i s t e r and t o t e l l
in
in
him t h e
Mediterranean
namely,
the
T h i s had had a good
r e s v. 11. and 3. u s e f u l
both c o u n t r i e s .
c ommunlou e had. ha an I s s u e d
At t h e end o f
the previous
week
t h e French Ambassador had g i v e n t h e ' S e c r e t a r y
S t a t e an account
in
o f an i n t e r v i e w between t h e
of
French
Ambassador and S i g n e r M u s s o l i n i and had. r e p o r t e d
u
Signer Mussollni s
curious b e l i e f
v
Admiralty were determined
fleet,
that the
to destroy
the
t h a t t h e F r i t i s h Government w e r e
determined to humiliate
that
Italy before
British
Fascist
equally
the w o r l d ,
and
t h e premature p u b l i c a t i o n by a B r i t i s h
newspaper o f t h e g i s t o f t h e R e p o r t o f t h e Committee
had been c i t e d
o f F i v e / a s an e x a m p l e .
^he S e c r e t a r v o f S t a t e had
accordingly
instructed
s i r R r i c Drummohd t o
S i g n e r M u s s o l i n i and. t o g i v e him t h e f a c t s ,
t h a t we had. nbt t h e s m a l l e s t
Italy
desire to
see
namely,
humiliate
and would warmly welcome a s e t t l e m e n t -
t h e s t a t e m e n t as to t h e F l e e t was t o t a l l y
that
without
foundation"
and t h a t t h e premature r e v e l a t i o n
t h e contents
of
newspaper.
t h e R e p o r t had been made t o a French
Fe had. i u ? t r e c e i v e d a r e p o r t
S i r F r i c Drummond t o t h e e f f e c t
at h i s
very
of
that the
from
atmosphere
c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h S i g n e r M u s s o l i n i had b e e n
friendly,
that
t h e Duce had thanked him f o r
message and. had s t a t e d
himself with us.
t h a t he d i d n o t want t o
I-Ie had admitted, t h a t
i n our
h e h i m s e l f would, h a v e s e n t r e i n f o r c e m e n t s
to
embroil
place
the
Nediterranean.
Consequently
of
t h e s i t u a t i o n had i m p r o v e d , but S i r
t h e s e alarms
from t h e p o i n t
his
Drummond. had n o t b e e n a b l e t o r e p o r t
i n the Abyssinian s i t u a t i o n .
not moved from h i s
the Report
of
however, that
any
of
view
Improvement
S i g n o r M u s s o l i n i , had
p o s i t i o n and saw no d a y l i g h t
t h e Committee o f F i v e .
I t was
t h e I t a l i a n s were.now somewhat
in
clear,
nervous
Brie
t o r e a l i s e , and w e r e a p p r e h e n s i v e even
sanctions.
think of
that
of
Of c o u r s e we n a t u r a l l y w e r e i n c l i n e d
our own d i f f i c u l t i e s ,
hut i t
seemed
even modest s a n c t i o n s might be more
than had h i t h e r t o
been
The a d v i c e o f
Affairs
modified
probable
effective
thought.
the S e c r e t a r y
of S t a t e f o r
t o t h e C a b i n e t was t h a t we should
t o pursue t h e p o l i c y
to
of
continue
our t r e a t y
obliga­
t i o n s , which had b e e n d e c i d e d on August 82nd,
subject
t o ' t h e same c o n d i t i o n s
to follow
if
it
fulfilling
Foreign
and p r e c a u t i o n s ,
up any chance o f
seeking
a settlement;
but
always
that,
came t o the p o i n t w h e r e t h e r e was agreement
t h e League o f Mations
p r e s s u r e and we
, v
in favour of applying
e r e assured that
at
economic
S t a t e s which w e r e
not members o^ t h e League would, not undermine
p o l i c y , we should b e p r e p a r e d t o p l a y
our
that
part.
T u r n i n g t o t h e q u e s t i o n o f t h e French N o t e , h e
recalled
t h a t V, L a v a l had g i v e n n o t i c e o f
intention
to raise
the Minister
tjy^ee^-PowoT .
3
for
q u e s t i o n in h i s
talks
League o f F a t t e n s A f f a i r s
Fnowing t h a t
i^ii^anQiUjip^s^-QnS .
1
was t o be r a i s e d ,
part
this
the Secretary
o f h i s remarks
his
the
with
at the"
Question
o f S t a t e had. a d d r e s s e d
i n t h e Assembly t o t h i s
issue,
and t h e draft, now b e f o r e
t h e Cabinet, was r e a l l y
statement,
only s l i g h t l y
embroidered,
then s a i d .
Fe thought
and t o g i v e
it
criticisms
soon:
it
a re­
o f what: he had
i m p e r a t i v e t o g i v e an answer
o t h e r w i s e t h e r e would
from two d.irec "ions , namely
-5
be
from t h e
Government on t h e ground t h a t we w e r e i n t e r e s t e d ,
in. A b y s s i n i a . ,
only
and from Mr L l o y d George t h a t we w e r e
u n d e r t a k i n g new commitments
discussed the draft
colleagues.
French
asked, f o r a u t h o r i t y ,
He had
r e p l y w i t h one or two of
He asked f o r
t i m e when h e should
to France.
give
liberty
it
his
o f a c t i o n as t o
t o France-
but he
the
also
in connection w i t h t h e answer,
to
put t o t h e French Government t h e quest i o n as t o what
F r a n c e would
do s u p p o s i n g ,
per
imposglblie.
t
e r e t o make an a t t a c k on our f o r c e s
in t h e M e d . i t e r r a n e a n .
Ills
or
Italy
interests
i d e a was t o send t o
the
French Ambassador t o inform him t h a t
an answer t o h i s
q u e s t i o n was - coming and t o s ay t h a t
i n t h e meant line
h e would l i k e
United
t o ask a q u e s t i o n on. b e h a l f
Kingdom Government.
the Cabinet,
taken'
first,
second,
t o a p p r o v e t h e a c t i o n h e had.
to approve the Note,
subject
clear,
t h e p e n u l t i m a t e p a s s a g e o f M. C orb i n ' s
liberty
the
Summarising, he asked
s m a l l a l t e r a t i o n so as t o make i t
reserved
of
to a
apropos.
Note
t h a t we
o f a c t i o n as t o h e r A r t i c l e
t h e Covenant should be applied.!!
16 o f
and, t h i r d ,
approval
t o an approach t o t h e French Government as t o
attitude
i n t h e event
In r e p l y
of State
o f an I t a l i a n
to various
expressed
the view that
could only be obtained
basis
such ss
but
probably
itself
that
t o a moral
Secretary
collective
to
If
export
-
to accept
Italy
sanctions
would
t h e League
confined
Italy,
its
t o be t r i e d
required
out,
s o o n e r we knew i t
as i f
the
futility
s a n c t i o n s w e r e imposed he though:,
from t h e L e a g u e .
circumstances
it,
He t h o u g h t
least
that
i t was not. e f f e c t i v e
ought
the
better.
were paid t o the Secretary
both f o r h i s
if
collective sectcity
I n t h e c o u r s e o f t h e d i s cuss i o n s e v e r a l
Affairs
of
Italian
I t a l y would %o bouho. be w i t h d r a w , a t
temporarily,
agreement
of
condemnation o f
If
the
on a ver?/ m i l ft­
and r e f u s a l
shorten the war.
attack.
sanctions
even such m i l d
w o u l d be e x p o s e d .
that
for
prohibition
certain materials
goods,
questions,
their
of
State for
Foreign
s p e e c h at. t h e League
on September 11th and h i s
tributes
Assembly
general handling of
the
attrition.
sanctions
I t was s u g g e s t e d t h a t b e f o r e
we ought t o know how f a r
effective.
I t war, u n d e r s t o o d
had been s t u d y i n g
they would
Italy
could
the
s u g g e s t e d by
only reduce the period
conduct war I n A b y s s i n i a
SI months, and t h a t
the r e f u s a l
of
I t was p o i n t e d
the
during
from 34 t o
Italian
would harm o u r s e l v e s more than I t a l y .
sanctions.
be
t h e s e q u e s t i o n s had reached
S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e would
on
t h - 1 * h e Corrmltt.ee which
c o n c l u s i o n t h a t t h e minor s a n c t i o n s
which
entering
exports­
Any form
of
o u t , were a b e l l i g e r e n t
act,
and it. was d o u b t f u l whether S i g n o r M u s s o l i n i would
h i m s e l f with a "ere protest, in "reply.
content
troubles
might
"he
n
t h a t would a r i ? e b e t w e e n I t a l y
not b e shared by any o t h e r
and t h e a t t i t u d e
Consequently
of the United
and ours e l v e s
c o u n t r y i n Europe,
S t a t e s was
doubtful.
t h e f u l l , economic cons ecuences might
fall
There was no s i g n t h a t any c o u n t r y ,
a c t i o n in support
i n s p i t e o f bold, speeches a t Geneva, was t a k i n g / o u r
on t h i s
view.
country.
:,
- e did not
r
even know i whether
our Navy
u s e t h e French p o r t s , which was e s s e n t i a l .
was r e p o r t e d
t o be doing v e r y
o r d e r e d by Germany w e r e i n t e n d e d
M. T i t u l e s c u
sanctions.
favoured m i l i t a r y
consignments
for
Italy;
r a t h e r than
T h e r e was g e n e r a l agreement
t h e above p o i n t s .
economic
on one meant an a t t a c k on
of a n e u t r a l .
clear
to
on
discussion
t h a t an a t t a c k
all.
One s u g g e s t i o n v.'as t h a t we should, t r y and
France t o t a k e t h e l e a d
and.
while
*ffe should h a v e t o b e g i n
by u n m i s t a k a b l e assurances
oil
that
that, we ought not
e n t e r upon economic s a n c t i o n s w i t h o u t b e i n g
at Geneva.
Italy
of
so
from f r i e n d l y r
t h e Spaniards hoped t o r e a p t h e a d v a n t a g e s
Of s a n c t i o n s
Roumania
I n Belgium t h e P r e s s was u n f r i e n d l y ,
i n S c a n d i n a v i a als.o i t was f a r
all
could
good, b u s i n e s s w i t h
and had. d i s c o v e r e d that, t h e l a r g e
occasionally
I t was a l s o r e p e a t e d l y
in t h e
of
induce
discussions
emphasised
that, we
must b e c l e a r as t o t h e French a t t i t u d e .
a s s u r a n c e we could h a v e f o r
Signor Mussolini
country
vs
strongesa
if, h e a t t a c k e d
France would r e t a l i a t e a g a i n s t him and
rihe s e r i o u s
previous
that
this
allow
ports.
consequences
of receding
a t t i t u d e w e r e emphasised
of domestic p o l i c y
1
he
our own s e c u r i t y was
should know t h a t
t o use French
vie "
m
no l e s s
from
our
from t h e p o i n t
than from that,
of
of
)
foreign
v
policy.
I t was p o i n t e d
out t h a t any weakness
or v a c i l l a t i o n would b r i n g s e r i o u s
dangers
could
now he s a i d
that
our F l e e t
in the
of t h e p o r t s was
tins a t. i s fa c t cry unt i l
and t h e ^ a appeared, s t i l l
consider the matter,
on a l l
Hnless
that
and o t h e r
the c o n d i t i o n
countries
must b e r e c i p r o c a l ,
of
event
Germany.
for
in t h e event
o f an a t t a c k by
Italy
and t h a t we should, b e i n v o l v e d
France to avoid
M, L a v a l ' s
I t would be
t a k e much o f
that
point of
could h a r d l y
elements
i t was pointed, out
v i e w Rovjnania,
effect
the
of
that
e x p o r t s , and
Yugo-Slavia
and S w i t z e r l a n d * e r e p r o b a b l y more i m p o r t a n t .
might be the m a t e r i a l
in
From t h e p o i n t
the I t a l i a n
in
a t t a c k e d by
attitude
because the s t r o n g e s t
F r a n c e d i d not
if,
coming t o our a i d , as
vacillating
economic s a n c t i o n s
from t h i s
realised,
c o - o p e r a t i o n by France
Government w e r e l e d by F . F e r r i o t .
of
fall
Nations
Tt must be
she could not r e l y upon us i f
be maintained
to
t o he a i r o l e t i m e
example, Y u g o - S l a v i a were a t t a c k e d .
difficult
view
t h a t day as
t h e S t a t e s Members of' t h e League o f
however,
that
admittedly
t h e burden was t o
we should, not. commit o u r s e l v e s .
for
a. d i s a s t e r ,
t h e Fr ench' pos i t 1 on was c l ear ed
No d e c i s i o n was b e i n g asked f o r
sanctions,
it
Mediterranean
enough t o s a f e g u a r d us a g a i n s t
though t h e q u e s t i o n
to
The
on t h e o t h e r s i d e had t o he examined, but
was s t r o n g
up.
consequences.
Whatever
o f such s a n c t i o n s .
however
the psychological
effect
and t h e I t a l i a n p e o p l e could not
I t was s u g g e s t e d
machinery
that
case
f
0
t e s t would be a p p l i e d
graptly
S
the
other
country.
easiest,
only
strengthen the League.
t h e n i t would be a- w e l l
out
to the
i t was s u c c e s s f u l ,
If
great.
any
explain t o the
sanctions.
-
p, gg
to try
and would, i n v o l v e
it we ld
n f t
t o be v e r y
a. G r e a t P o w e r ,
mildest
Mussolini
o f t h e League o f N a t i o n s , and t h a t
contemplated
e
fail
i t was e s s e n t i a l
c o u r s e would he i m p o s s i b l e t o
n-h
on S i g n e r
the
therefore,
If
it
t h a t we s h o u l d kno"
r
failed,
t h e weak­
Q-^ t h e League and c o n s i d e r how b e s t t h e
situation
c o u l d be r? ct i f i e d .
In favour
of mild s a n c t i o n s , which, however,
e x a m i n a t i o n by t h e A d v i s o r y
in
m
ime of % r
exports
test
Committee on ^ r a d e
showed must i n c l u d e r e f u s a l
t o be e f f e c t i v e ,
so t h a t
to a request
probable t i m e - f a b l e ,
for
i n f o r m a t i o n as t o
t h e C a b i n e t w e r e informed
the
that
shortly to
receive
from t h e Committee o f F i v e *
mfoe 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
advice to the Minister
a t Geneva would b e not
t o be manoeuvred
for
to allow himself
into a position of
Italy,
further
the question,
m
Our a t t i t u d e
conciliation.
t h a t t h e C o u n c i l v ould b e a b l e t o f i n d
r
Council
as was
and "moderate t h e p o s i t i o n and
t h e d o e r open f o r
of approach.
or the
Affairs
advocating
t o be urged i n some q u a r t e r s .
should, be t o t r y
said
League o f N a t i o n s
immediate s t r o n g measures a g a i n s t
likely
attempting
serious.
t h e C o u n c i l woul-' p r o b a b l y meet v e r y
a Be p o r t
Italy*s
t h e i r a t t i t u d e would b e
d e t e r m i n e d b e f o r e m a t t e r s became
In reply
Questions
i t was urged t h a t t h e y would,
out w h e t h e r t h e Powers w e r e g e n u i n e l y
t o apply the r u l e s ,
his
of
the
I t was
leave
unlikely
any nev method
h e Assembly was t h e n l i b e l ; / t o t a k e up
and t h e r e would b e some s t r a i g h t
I t was i m p r o b a b l e that, t h e C o u n c i l would
speaking.
formally
discuss
sanctions
or
economic p r e s s u r e u n t i l
a g g r e s s i o n was a c t u a l l y
that
u n a n i m i t y was n e c e s s a r y ,
he r e p r e s e n t e d .
our p o s i t i o n
if
At t h a t
e
6
r i p r i
If
the
reason
and. I t a l y would
still
p o i n t " e should h a v e t o make
t h e C o u n c i l was aareed
he that
for
c l e a r , which he u n d e r s t o o d would he t h a t
s h o u l d he p r e p a r e d
n
committed,
an
on economic s a n c t i o n s
t o play
our p a r t ,
economic s a n c t i o n s
result
we
""he danger would
did not
produce
t h e r e would he a clamour
the
f o r more
drastic
XBeasures .
f h e Prime M i n i s t e r
of
the Secretary
expressed
of
fha v i e ' '
State for
that
7
paid a. warm trid-u^e t o t h e work
Foreign A f f a i r s ,
the Cabinet agreed
i n t h e p o l i c y he had p r o p o s e d ,
w i t h a d e c i s i o n on s a n c t i o n s
been
and
generally
We should not b e
faced
u n t i l ah a g g r e s s i o n had.
committed , and. even t h e n no d e c i s i o n would b e
t a k e n u n t i l we w e r e ass tired as t o t h e a t t i t u d e
League .
of
members o f t h e
rested
were
'
experienced
The- men on whom t h e d e c i s i o n
St-at esmen, who would o n l v a g r e e on.
what was p r a c t i c a b l e .
It. was e s s e n t i a l
M u s s o l i n i should b e made t o know t h a t
might t a k e against
The r l a k
interests
that
Signor
any a c t i o n he
us would b e met e q u a l l y by
o'" i s o l a t e d
action against
""as now much l e s s
were agreed
non-
that, t h e l a s t
this
probable.
thing
France.
country * s
He t h o u g h t
t h a t must b e allowed.
t o happen would he a s i n g l e - h a n d e d w a r b e t w e e n
c o u n t r y and I t a l y .
He asked t h e C a b i n e t
generally
reply
the d r a f t
all
contained
to
this
approve
in C P . - 1 7 9
(35).
The Cabinet, a.greed
­
( a ) That t h e a c t i o n taken by t h e S e c r e t a r y
of S t a t s f o r Foreign A f f a i r s s i n c e the
l a s t Cabinet M e e t i n g should be a p p r o v e d ,
and t h a t h i s a d v i c e should b e a d o p t e d ,
namely, t h a t our p r e v i o u s p o l i c y should
b e cont. inued., that i s t o s a y , t h a t we
should act in accordance w i t h the
s t a t e m e n t s made i n P a r l i a m e n t and at.
Geneva as t o our i n t e n t i o n t o f u l f i l
our o b l i g a t i o n s , but s u b j e c t t o t h e
c o n d i t i o n s p r e v i o u s l y a c c e p t e d as t o
keeping- i n s t e p w i t h t h e p o l i c y o f
t h e French Government, and a v o i d i n g
any commitment which France was not
e q u a l l y p r e p a r e d t o assume:
( h ) That w h i l e a t t h e moment no d e c i s i o n
as t o p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n s a n c t i o n s was
b e i n g t a k e n , b e f o r e any f o r m a l economic
or o t h e r s.auctions could be e n t e r e d on
i t would be n e c e s s a r v t o make s u r e o f
t h e w h o l e - h e a r t e d s u p p o r t not only o f
t h e S t a t e s Members
t h e League of
Mat i o n s , but a l s o t o c l e a r up. t h e
pos i t i o n o f t h e non-Member S t a t e s and
e n s u r e t h a t they would not r e n d e r
sanctions f u t i l e :
t h e l a s t t h i n g we
d e s i r e d was a s i n g l e - h a n d e d war w i t h
Italy
and b e f o r e e n t e r i n g on s a n c t i o n s
we must a l s o h a v e a c l e a r u n d e r s t a n d i n g
t h a t an i s o l a t e d a t t a c k on B r i t i s h f o r c e s
o r i n t e r e s t s was - an a t t a c k on a l l t h e
Members o f t h e L e a g u e , and as t o f u l l
c o - o p e r a t i o n , by F r a n c e , i n o a f t . l e u l a r
i n t h a t event f See a l s o f e ) be 1 pw) t
:
(c)
m
(d)
m
(e)
h a t on t h e French r e q u e s t f o r an
assurance r e g a r d i n g the future B r i t i s h
a t t 3 t u d e i n t h e event o f a r e s o r t t o
f o r c e I n Furope or o f an i n f r a c t i o n o f
t h e Covenant by a n o t h e r European Power
t h e d r a f t r e p l y contained in C.P.-179
(7.5) should b e a p p r o v e d , s u b j e c t t o
an amendment t o make c l e a r t h a t we
r e s e r v e d our a t t i t u d e on t h e form i n
w h i c h A r t i c l e IB should be a p p l i e d :
h a t 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 should b e g i v e n l i b e r t y o f a c t i o n
as t o when and, how t h e N o t e should b e
d el i v e r e d :
*?hat t h e Secr.et.arv 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, t a k e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y o f
t h e d e l i v e r " 0"** t h e above N o t e t o a d d r e s s
a ciuestion t o t h e French Government i n
o r d e r t o c l e a r up beyond doubt what t h e i r
a t t i t u d e would, be i f , a r i s i n g out o f t h e
pr e s e nt 6 1 s pi': t e , a n a t 1 a ck s h ou 1 d b e
d e l i v e r e d by I t a l y on t h e f o r c e s , t e r r i t or
or i n t e r e s t s o f t h i s c o u n t r y i n t h e
Medit e T a n e a n .
I
2.
ITALO­
The C a b i n e t had b e f o r e
by the S e c r e t a r y
them a Memorandum
t o the Cabinet
(CP.
176
c o n t a i n i n g a summary o f p r e c a u t i o n a r y
^cautionary
iasures.
taken s i n c e t h e M e e t i n g r e f e r r e d
In the course o f
gvious
Lord of
eference:
^inet 42
(35))
the A d m i r a l t y
measures
t o i n the m a r g i n .
the d i s c u s s i o n t h e
reminded t h e C a b i n e t
the Navy was a t the moment s e r v i n g
under war c o n d i t i o n s .
(35)),
that
practically
I t had n e v e r been
t h a t t h e Home and M e d i t e r r a n e a n F l e e t s
brought up t o war s t r e n g t h w i t h o u t
contemplated
c o u l d be
mobilisation,
but t h i s had been accomplished a t t h e c o s t
denuding a l l
the t r a i n i n g
schools.
the Committee on Defence P o l i c y
and Requirements
some t h r e e thousand v o l u n t e e r s .
of
This
our own s e c u r i t y .
into a different
Admiralty.
A c t i o n at
precautions
the Suez Canal
c a t e g o r y , and measures
taken
c o u l d n o t c o r r e c t l y be d e s c r i b e d as
precautions
for
our own s e c u r i t y ,
a point
he i n v i t e d the a t t e n t i o n o f the S e c r e t a r y
for
the
t h a t had h i t h e r t o
been done had been i n t h e n a t u r e o f
there
to
the P r e s s i n n o t l a y i n g undue emphasis
He emphasised t h a t e v e r y t h i n g
fell
c o u l d be done
He p a i d a t r i b u t e
on the p r e c a u t i o n a r y measures o f t h e
for
t o c a l l up
w i t h o u t any p r o c l a m a t i o n and w i t h o u t
i n v o l v i n g much p u b l i c i t y .
loyalty
of
Consequently,
had g i v e n p e r m i s s i o n t o t h e A d m i r a l t y
individually,
First
Foreign
Fleets
below:­
of
State
of
the
Affairs.
He then gave a b r i e f
relative
t o which
strength of
appreciation
the B r i t i s h
and
i n t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n which i s
Italian
summarised
British
Battleships
(At
( E x c l u d e s 2 under­
going long r e f i t
& modernization).
8-inch
Cruisers
6-inch
Cruisers
2
Gibraltar).
2
carriers
Flotilla
Italy,
(Includes 1 leaving
U n i t e d Kingdom
shortly).
Battie-cruisers
Aircraft
Empire
1
7
(Including 1 cruiser
o f R . A . N . Two more
c r u i s e r s a r e on p a s s a g e
from t h e China &
Australian stations
respectively).
10
(including 3 at Gib­
r a l t a r and 2 l e a v i n g
U n i t e d Kingdom s h o r t l y ) .
10
18
Leaders
Destroyers
54
65
Submarines
11
62
I t was n o t
cruiser
quite
could be used.
certain that
the A u s t r a l i a n
On paper the s i t u a t i o n was n o t
q u i t e as good as was g e n e r a l l y
assumed though
c r u i s e r s w e r e a tremendous a s s e t .
M e d i t e r r a n e a n which made i t
the b a t t l e ­
The most s e r i o u s
was t h e l a c x o f B r i t i s h d o c k i n g accommodation
the French
8-inch
essential
point
in the
t o have the use
of
ports.
The p o s i t i o n i n the Red Sea was as
follows
B r i t i s h Empire.
8-inch
Cruisers
1
6-inch
Cruisers
2
Italy.
2
(5* 9 - i n c h )
Flotilla
Leaders
2
Destroyers
O
O
Submarines
Sloops
4
2
5
No more destroyers c o u l d be s e n t out w i t h o u t
Tht; margin o f s a f e t y
mobilisation.
i n s m a l l ' c r a f t was n o t much.
In the e v e n t o f S a n c t i o n s the p o s i t i o n w o u l d not be a
-12­
pleasant
perhaps f o r a l o n g t i m e
The F l e e t would he l i v i n g / a t war
one.
s t r e n g t h and p r a c t i c a l l y
under war c o n d i t i o n s ,
and
t h e r e would p r o b a b l y be a demand from an uninformed
public
t o use
it.
The F i r s t L o r d i n f o r m e d t h e C a b i n e t
that
the
Sub-Committee on Defence P o l i c y and Requirements
a u t h o r i s e d the A d m i r a l t y
t o exchange
w i t h the French A d m i r a l t y ,
the F o r e i g n O f f i c e ,
In r e p l y
waters of
subject
information
t o agreement w i t h
and a c t i o n was about t o be
taken.
t o a q u e s t i o n he s a i d t h a t i n t h e narrow
the M e d i t e r r a n e a n a i r c r a f t
serious pre-occupation,
armaments o f
had
a t t a c k was a
e s p e c i a l l y as t h e
anti-aircraft
the F l e e t were n o t as much as c o u l d be
wished.
The C a b i n e t
agreed:­
(a)
To t a k e n o t e o f the d e f e n s i v e p r e c a u t i o n s
taken s i n c e t h e i r l a s t
m e e t i n g as s e t
f o r t h i n C P . 176 ( 3 5 ) .
(b)
To i n v i t e the a t t e n t i o n o f 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 t o the
p o i n t m e n t i o n e d by the F i r s t L o r d o f t h e
A d m i r a l t y as s e t f o r t h above i n
c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e Suez Canal.
3.
JWDIA ACT,
1935,
K i l l to r e p r i n t
lag two s e par at e
(lots, one r e l a t ­
fog t o I n d i a
fond t h e
other
t o Burma .
If Previous
I Reference'
[Cabinet 3
The C a b i n e t had b e f o r e them a Memorandum by
the S e c r e t a r y
of State f o r
India
seeking the g e n e r a l approval
the i n t r o d u c t i o n ,
of a purely
of
of his
formal B i l l
to secure the
India
(35))
colleagues
a t as e a r l y a d a t e as
t h e G-overnment, o f
Acts,
(0.P.-174
Act as two
to
possible,
reprinting
separate
one - r e l a t i n g t o I n d i a and t h e o t h e r t o Burma.
d
1(55),
Ielusion
Con-
7.)
If
t h e Cabinet
be c i r c u l a t e d
approved t h e p r o p o s a l ,
t o t h e Committee o f Home
and m i g h t b e i n t r o d u c e d
this were l i k e l y
the B i l l
Affairs,
i n t h e Fouse o f Lords
to f a c i l i t a t e
would
if
despatch.
The C a b i n e t a p p r o v e d the above
proposal.
4.
IbfDlA,
North-West
fefcntier.
$jfcration
In.
The Cabinet t o o k n o t e o f a Memorandum by
Secretary
his
of State f o r
colleagues
India
(C . P . - 1 7 3 ( 3 5 ) )
of eertaj.n a c t i o n which, with
informing
the
c o n c u r r e n c e o f t h e F o r e i g n O f f i c e , h e had. a u t h o r i s e d
if Previous
t h e Government o f
1'Ckhinet 73
(SO), Con­
elusion 1 9 . )
a difficult
s i t u a t i o n which had a r i s e n
the
o f t h e Mohmands on t h e Worth-West
I Reference r
the
of
country
India
to take in order t o deal
with
in
India.
The a c t i o n taken by the S e c r e t a r y
S t a t e f o r I n d i a d e s c r i b e d i n the
Memorandum was a p p r o v e d .
of
Frontier
NATIONALITY
OF MARRIED
WOMEN.
5.
The C a b i n e t had b e f o r e
Secretary
f
C .P.-171
' 35))
them a N o t e by t h e Home
c o v e r i n g a Memorandum
setting
f o r t h t h e a t t i t u d e o f t h e U n i t e d Fingdom Government
(previous
R p f e r ^ n c e t towards t h e q u e s t i o n o f t h e N a t i o n a l i t y o f M a r r i e d Women.
Cabinet 38
( 3 5 ) . Con- T h i s Memorandum had been drawn up i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h
elusion 6 . )
instructions
margin,
laid
down a t t h e -Meeting mentioned
in the
and p e r m i s s i o n was now sought t o c i r c u l a t e
t o the r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
of
the dominions
it
on a Committee
which had been s e t up d u r i n g t h e M e e t i n g s
of
British
Commonwealth P r i m e M i n i s t e r s e a r l i e r i n t h e y e a r .
The C a b i n e t a p p r o v e d the above
Memorandum.
iU? ASSYRIAN
JUFSTION.
/previous
4 t ) f erence"
jna^inet 36
1(04), Con­
I elusion
''
e
L
6.
h e C a b i n e t bad b e f o r e then; a Memorandum by
m
the Secretary
t?5))
of
State for
Foreign Affairs
reviewing the question
of
towards
the a t t i t u d e
Majesty's
Government
problem.
I t had now become obvious
a l t e r n a t i v e to settlement
in Syria,
the Assyrian
of
Fis
settlement
that, t h e r e was no
i n French, mandated
territory
and t h e League A s s y r i a n Committee would h a v e
t o find without
£800,000.
It
delay
a sum o f
seemed
possibly
essential,
t o be made at Geneva,
entered
f CP.-172
that
if
prior
as much as
any progress, w e r e
discussions
i n t o b o t h w i t h t h e French and I r a q i
t o induce the former
to
should
be
Governments
come t o some arrangement
whereby
t h e capita. 1. sum t o be found by t h e A s s y r i a n Committee
would be s u b s t a n t i a l l y
increase
their
threatened
unless
offer
r e d u c e d , and t h e l a t t e r
of
£125,000.
The w h o l e
previously
declared
i n t h e shape o f
attitude
contribution.
Government would be i n v o l v e d
ble political
and. f i n a n c i a l
Government
Secretary
of
Majestyfs
liabilities.
the present
Majesty's
stage of
t o any d e f i n i t e
of
announcing t h a t
Parliament f o r
C a b i n e t would
committing
a satisfactory
£250,000.
His M a j e s t y ' s
a grant
of this
concur g e n e r a l l y
proposed t o f o l l o w
there
Ris
the
Fxchequer
scheme.
His
contri­
^he n e c e s s i t y
for
Government would ask
amount might
rapidly
trusted, that
in the l i n e
which t h e y had a l r e a d y been o b l i g e d
tions.
Although
of t h e
a r i s e a t G e n e v a , and t h e two M i n i s t e r s
which they
i n i n ca l e u l a ­
Government should make an i n d e p e n d e n t
b u t l o n up t o a maximum o f
lead
Otherwise
figure,
S t a t e and t h e C h a n c e l l o r
that., R S p a r t
their
and gave a d e f i n i t e
an i n d e p e n d e n t
was no q u e s t i o n at
finance
from
His M a j e s t y ' s
considered
scheme
t o b r e a k down on t h e q u e s t i o n o f
His M a i e s t y * s Government d e p a r t e d
to
of
action
to i n i t i a t e
i n t h e ensuing
the
and
negotia­
The C a b i n e t approved the a c t i o n taken
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 and t h e C h a n c e l l o r o f t h e
Exchequer..
7.
THS COAL
SITUATION.
reported
(previous
Reference:
Cabinet 26 ( 3 5 )
I Conclusion 4 ) .
The P r e s i d e n t o f
that the Parliamentary
Trade
Secretary
to
the
Mines Department, Board o f T r a d e , was k e e p i n g
touch w i t h b o t h s i d e s i n the d i f f i c u l t i e s
had a r i s e n i n t h e c o a l f i e l d s
r e t u r n from a v i s i t
^(35)3.
t h e Board o f
t o some o f
that
ana was about
the
to
districts
concerned.
The C a b i n e t a c c e p t e d the o f f e r o f
the P r e s i d e n t of the Board o f T r a d e
t o c i r c u l a t e a n o t e on the s u b j e c t
f o r t h e i r next meetings
2, W h i t e h a l l G a r d e n s ,
S.W.I.,
24th S e p t e m b e r ,
1935.
in