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,^J)OCUMSNT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY S GOVERNMENT)
T
J
R E T.
COPY NO,
H / I S E,
C A B I N E T
54 ( 5 5 ) .
M e e t i n g o f t h e C a b i n e t t o be h e l d a t No. 1 0 , Downing
S t r e e t , S . W . 1 . , on WEDNESDAY, 11th DECEMBER, 1935,
a t 1 0 . 0 a,m,
NOTE:
Attention is invited to the a l t e r a t i o n
the m e e t i n g from 1 1 . 0 a.m. t o 10.0 a.m.
i n the t i m e
of
A G E N D A .
1
'
2.
ITALO-ABYSSINIAN DISPUTE.
( R e f e r e n c e C a b i n e t 53 ( 3 5 ) ) .
"STATUS QUO IN THE P A C I F I C " :
WASHINGTON TREATY.
ARTICLE XIX OF THE
N o t e by t h e 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
C h i e f s o f S t a f f Sub-Committee.
G,P. 231 ( 3 5 )
- already circulated,
Memorandum by the M i n i s t e r f o r League o f N a t i o n s
Affairs.
C P . 238 ( 3 5 )
circulated herewith.
NOTE:
3.
W i t h r e f e r e n c e t o C o n c l u s i o n ( b ) , page 1,
o f C P . 231 ( 3 5 ) , the S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e
f o r Dominion A f f a i r s w i l l r e p o r t o r a l l y
to the Cabinet i n s t e a d of c i r c u l a t i n g
a Memorandum.
PRIOPITY IN SUPPLY TO BE GIVEN TO THE MAIN ITEMS OF
SERVICE REQUIREMENTS IN THE EVENT OF A POSSIBLE
AGGRESSION BY ITALY.
Note b y 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 a
Sub-Committee o f the Supply B o a r d .
C P . 237 ( 3 5 )
circulated herewith.
4.
USE OF TEAR GAS IN THE COLONIAL EMPIRE.
( R e f e r e n c e C a b i n e t 33 ( 3 5 )
Conclusion 7 ) .
Memorandum by the S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r t h e
Colonies.
C P . 226 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
5
0
ESTABLISHMENT OF MUNICIPAL MIDWIFERY SERVICE.
(Reference
C a b i n e t 49 ( 3 5 ) C o n c l u s i o n
5).
Memorandum "by the M i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h .
C P , 230 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
6.
RATING AND VALUATION:
(Reference
PROPOSED B I L L .
C a b i n e t 11 ( 3 4 ) C o n c l u s i o n
15).
Memorandum by t h e M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h .
C P . 228 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
7.
WATER POLICY.
(Reference
C a b i n e t 22 ( 3 5 ) C o n c l u s i o n
7).
Memorandum by the M i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h .
C P . 227 ( 3 5 )
already circulated.
(Signed)
M.P.A.
Secretary
2 , W h i t e h a l l Gardens,
S.W.I.,
10th December,
1935.
HANKEY,
t o the
Cabinet.
H I S
-nnHTIMENT IS THE PROPERTY OP HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY S GOVERNMENT).
1
COPY NO.
C A B I N E T
54 ( 5 5 ) .
CONCLUSIONS o f a M e e t i n g o f 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,
11th DECEMBER, 1935, a t 10 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 ) .
fae Bight Hon.
j , Ramsay MacDonald,
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.
S i r John Simon, G . C . S . I . ,
K . C . V . O . , O.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.
5The Right Hon.
The V i s c o u n t Hailsham,
Lord C h a n c e l l o r .
:The Right Hon.
The V i s c o u n t H a l i f a x ,
C C S . I. , G.C.I.E. ,
Lord P r i v y S e a l .
The Right Hon.
Malcolm MacDonald,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r
Affairs.
The R i g h t Hon.
N e v i l l e Chamberlain, M.P.,
C h a n c e l l o r o f the Exchequer.
K,G.,
Dominion
The R i g h t Hon.
A . Duff C o o p e r , D . S . 0 . , M . P . ,
S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r War.
The R i g h t Hon.
The V i s c o u n t S w i n t o n , G . B . E . ,
M.C., Secretary of State f o r
Air.
The Most Hon.
The Marquess o f Z e t l a n d ,
C C S . I . , G.C.I.E. , Secretary
of S t a t e f o r I n d i a .
The R i g h t Hon.
S i r Godfrey C o l l i n s , K.B.E.,
C.M.G., M.P., S e c r e t a r y of
State for Scotland.
The Right Hon.
J.H. Thomas, M.P. ,
Secretary of S t a t e f o r
Colonies.
The R i g h t Hon.
The V i s c o u n t M o n s e l l , G . B . E . ,
F i r s t Lord of the A d m i r a l t y .
the
The R i g h t Hon.
Anthony Jiden, 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.
Lord Eustace P e r c y , M . P . ,
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 f o r 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
Education.
The Right Hon.
Sir 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 o f Labour.
e
Colonel S i r M.P.A.
M.P.,
The R i g h t Hon.
W. Ormsby-Gore, M . P . ,
F i r s t Commissioner o f Works.
Hankey, G.C.B. , G . C M . G . , G . C . V . O . ,
Secretary..
mj-R ITALOABYSSTNIAN
S?TTTE.
DT
1 .
The M i n i s t e r
f o r League o f R a t i o n s
g a v e the C a b i n e t a summary o f
Co-operation
by o t h e r
Nations i n an
Emergency .
countries
(previous
Reference:
Cabinet 50
summarised v e r y b r i e f l y
for
t h e r e p l i e s by v a r i o u s
t o approaches which had been made t o
c o - o p e r a t i o n i n the e v e n t o f
Italy
Affair?
arising
out o f
sanctions,
as
them
an a g g r e s s i o n by
T i e s e may be
follows:-
PRANCE:
No news s i n c e t h e M e e t i n g o f
t h e C a b i n e t mentioned i n the
margin.
GREECE:
P u l l c o - o p e r a t i o n can be
r e l i e d on.
A Naval Attache
a t Athens has been asked f o r
(See below) .
TURKEY:
The answer i s a c o m p l e t e and
unconditional acceptance
o f our t h e s i s .
YUGO-SLAVIA:
Situation less satisfactory
than t h e above . ""he N a v a l
f a c i l i t i e s we had asked f o r
would be p l a c e d at t h e d i s p o s a l
o f Ris Majesty's Ships.
Consultation with other
members o f t h e L i t t l e E n t e n t e
and w i t h Athens and Angora
in progress .
('3*)) .
T h e r e was some doubt as t o w h e t h e r the
countries wouh
conform t o o u r r e q u e s t
declaration similar
above
t o make a
to the d e c l a r a t i o n o f
solidarity
a l r e a d y made by t h e F r e n c h Government.
Although,
apart
appeared.
from t h i s ,
their
general a l t i t u d e
satisfactory,
t h e r e was v e r y
little
information
t o what t h e i r
c o - o p e r a t i o n would, mean i n
practice.
Spain had been approached, through t h e
Ambassador
i n London, WHO had. promised, t o
w i t h the President, o f
the Republic .
Spanish
communicate
No r e p l y had. as
y e t been r e c e i v e d .
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 asked t h a t any t e l e g r a m s
p a s s i n g between t h e A d m i r a l t y and
G r e e c e r e l a t i v e t o the proposed N a v a l
A t t a c h e should pass t h r o u g h t h e F o r e i g n
Of-ice.
(NOTE:
as
F u r t h e r d e t a i l s on t h i s q u e s t i o n a r e
contained i n C . I . D . Paper D . P . R . - 5 4 . )
TOT? ITALO-
ABYSSINIAN
DISPUTE.
Proposed Re­
dispos i t i o n
of Ships i n
the M e d i t e r ­
ranean.
2 . The F i r s t
Cabinet
Lord o f
the A d m i r a l t y
that the Chiefs o f
Staff
informed
Sub-Committee had
received
a. combined a p p r e c i a t i o n from t h e
in-Chief
of
proposals
Commanders­
t h e N a v y . Army and A i r F o r c e i n
Mediterranean,
the
^ h e i r recommendations
the
included
f o r a r e - d i s p o s i t i o n o f c e r t a i n ships
the M e d i t e r r a n e a n ,
notably
that
two
in
Battleships
should be withdrawn from t h e E a s t e r n M e d i t e r r a n e a n
exchange t o " a B a t t l e
Cruiser.
-
approved,
If
t h e p r o p o s a l was
t h e B a t t l e s h i p s would be withdrawn from the
Mediterranean a l t o g e t h e r ,
brought home and p a i d
as t h e A d m i r a l t y would be g l a d t o have t h e i r
for other purposes.
The o b j e c t o f
T
be a b l e t o s t r e n g t h e n t h e L i g h t
Eastern Mediterranean,
Cruiser
speed and
forces
the F l e e t
Ea.st.ern M e d i t e r r a n e a n would be s t r e n g t h e n e d ,
-from a. p u b l i c
bound t o i n f o r m h i s
point o f view
as a wea.ken.ing o f
sanctioned,
the F l e e t .
Cabinet t h a t
the
any n o t i f i c a t i o n
The C a b i n e t
In t h i s
i t might be
If
to other
in
the
but
the
that
interpreted
t h e p r o p o s a l was
Italy
c o n n e c t i o n he reminded
I t a l i a n s were moving t r o o p s
agreed
i n the
colleagues
t h e q u e s t i o n a r o s e as t o w h e t h e r
should be i n f o r m e d .
crews
For t h e purposes f o r w h i c h t h e
exchange was p r o p o s e d , t h e r e f o r e ,
Lord f e l t
off,
t h e exchange was
t h a t t h e B a t t l e C r u i s e r would. ha .,'e g r e a t e r
First
in
without
nations.
—
(a)
"h-:at. a t t h e p r e s e n t j u n c t u r e i t would
be i n a d v i s a b l e f o r p o l i t i c a l r e a s o n s
t o take any a c t i o n w h i c h might be
r e g a r d e d p u b l i c l y as weakening our
Naval p o s i t i o n i n the Mediterranean:
(b)
"hat i f the Admiralty s t i l l wished to
make t h e change t h e y should r a i s e t h e
q u e s t i o n a l i t t l e l a t e r , when i t was
q u i t e p o s s i b l e that the p o l i t i c a l
s i t u a t i o n might be changed and a f a v o u r ­
a b l e r e p l y might b e g i v e n .
the
- irALO-
3.
The C a b i n e t resumed
discussion o f
the
questions
ABYSSINIAN
pjcpTjTE.
referred
?he proposed
Basis f o r
peace D i s cuss ions .
continued
m^e proposed
Embargo on
Oil S u p p l i e s
for I t a l y .
t o i n the m a r g i n , as begun on December 9 t h and
on December 101 h .
As t h e
Cabinet were assembling,
from P a r i s )
intimating
Cabinet
from S i r R . V a n s i t t a r t was
that
w . L a v a l had a c c e p t e d t h e v i e w s o f
day ^Cabinet 53 ( 3 5 ) , Appendix
The M i n i s t e r
the
for
League o f
Nations
on
Til).
Affairs
r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e t e l e g r a m s t o I t a l y and A b y s s i n i a
had b e e n s e n t o f f l a t e on t h e p r e v i o u s e v e n i n g .
"Hie C a b i n e t
^4 A ^ u w ^ .
circulated
as expressed, i n t h e t e l e g r a m sent, t o P a r i s
the previous
(previous
Reference:
Cabinet 53
( 3 5 ) , Conelusion 1.)
a t e l e g r a m (No .263
then discussed the l i n e
by t h e M i n i s t e r
for
League o f
t o be
taken
Nations A f f a i r s
at
Geneva .
The M i n i s t e r
for
League o f N a t i o n s
Affairs
expressed, t h e hope t h a t he would not be e x p e c t e d
champion t h e p r o p o s a l s made t o
in detail
if
at
Geneva.
he made t h e
would,
the proposals
He s u g g e s t e d
?
if
in a direction
that
he h i m s e l f
any such e f f o r t s :
the
the r e p l i e s
t e l l M. L a v a l o f
should
pending r e p l i e s
from I t a l y
the
this
should
As r e g a r d s
be
oil
depend upon
Governments.
He thought
be t h a t we w e r e r e a d y
For p r a c t i c a l
the
to
t h e p r o p o s a l s , and t h a t
any a c t i o n that/mother members o f
that
Italy.
should be a u t h o r i s e d
t h e d a t e would
from the v a r i o u s
seemed l i k e l y
to
minds.
and weaken
and p u b l i c o p i n i o n i n
question of
prepared, t o t a k e .
it
favourable
direction,.
general a t t i t u d e
take
successful
representatives
w e r e to. be made they
i n the o t h e r
sanctions
our
to
t o what was known o f
any a l t e r a t i o n s
rather
t o be
- . L a v a l was g o i n g t o t r y
r e a c t i o n o f Parliament
country
likely
a t t e m p t , because the
that
T
resist
He was not
and A b y s s i n i a
i n the ..^ain, a l r e a d y have made up t h e i r
- e was c l e e r
T
Italy
to
to
t h e League w e r e
purposes,
q u e s t i o n would be
however,
postponed
and A b y s s i n i a t o t h e
peace
proposals
—
t o which ( a s
Exchequer s u g g e s t e d )
the C h a n c e l l o r o f
he added t h e a t t i t u d e o f
United States of America.
however,
that
regard to
the
I t was p o s s i b l e t o
the League might w i s h t o a c t
conceive
without
the U n i t e d S t a t e s .
The Prime M i n i s t e r
whether t h e o i l
very
the
said that
the q u e s t i o n
s a n c t i o n would, be e f f e c t i v e
i m p o r t a n t o n e , and t h i s might
the a t t i t u d e o f
of
was a
depend l a r g e l y
the United States o f America.
During
t h e d i s c u s s i o n he emphasised more than once t h a t
q u e s t i o n ought t o be d e c i d e d as a b u s i n e s s
on
the
proposition
^he s a n c t i o n ought not t o be u n d e r t a k e n u n l e s s we
w e r e assured
that
it
would be e f f e c t i v e ;
and. t h e
q u e s t i o n o f w h e t h e r A m e r i c a would a p p l y an
embargo appeared, t o be one o f
i n t h e caee .
effective
the e s s e n t i a l
factors
U n t i l we knew what America was
going
t o do we should h o l d our hand.
In t h e c o u r s e o f
out t h a t ,
t h e d i s c u s s i o n i t was
according to the l a t e s t
might be s e n t
for
through J a p a n .
Secretary
of
resentment
Italy's
at t h e i d e a o f
that
American
expressing
on t h e o t h e r hand, d e c l i n e d , t o
say
Tn t h e s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s
it
t o o much i m p o r t a n c e should not be
Tn any e v e n t i t
America c o u l d not
Congress.
Signor Mussolini
It
or
for
ed. t o h i s a t t i t u d e .
approval of
the
oil
t h e League w a i t i n g
what America would d o .
that
direct
S t a t e , on t h e one hand was
America, but,
was f e l t
information,
use e i t h e r
Mr C o r d e l l H u l l ,
pointed
act
appeared
effectively
U n t i l then i t
c o u l d o b t a i n enough o i l
appeared i m p r o b a b l e , t h e r e f o r e ,
embargo a t t h e p r e s e n t
time
that
c o u L ' be
certain
without
seemed
attach:
the
that
to carry
an o i l
effective.
on.
A n o t h e r v i e w was t h a t
to obtain o i l ,
large
Italy's
owing to
say w h e t h e r
an o i l
it
was t r i e d .
I t xvas a l s o
xvhether, when i t
to
that
paying
for
I t was
impossible
embargo would be e f f e c t i v e
impossible to
until
predict
came t o t h e p o i n t , M. L a v a l would
co-operate
suggested
of
Italy
economic p o s i t i o n xvas
sanctions.
to
refuse
was not easy f o r
ov;j.ng t o t h e d i f f i c u l t y
quantities .
deteriorating
it
in further
sanctions.
the p r o p e r a t t i t u d e
of
T
-Tis
I t was
Majesty" s
Government w a s , t o be p r e p a r e d t o p l a y t h e i r p a r t
l o n g as a c t i o n was c o l l e c t i v e ,
member^ o f
t h e League i f
most e f f e c t i v e
ties,
method, o f
and t o
t h e y thought
however,
that
Politically
was not. t o
was s u g g e s t e d
give
that
difficul­
at
present.
the important
point
an i m p r e s s i o n o^ p u s i l l a n i m i t y ,
t h a t t h e consequences o f p r e v i o u s
thought o u t .
t h i s t o be t h e
T h i s d i d not mean,
t h e d a t e need be f i x e d
it
join with/other
ending t h e p r e s e n t
even a t t h e r i s k o f w a r .
so
and
a c t i o n had. not
Such a course would be d i s a s t r o u s
been
t o our
prestige.
The C a b i n e t w e r e reminded, r e p e a t e d l y
and emphatic d e c i s i o n s
of
the many
they had. t a k e n t o t h e
effect
t h a t i n no c i r c u m s t a n c e s would we be drawn i n t o
military
sanctions
u n l e s s assured, o f
c o - o p e r a t i o n by P r a n c e .
to the e f f e c t
both that
precipitate hostilities
whole-hearted
I n f o r m a t i o n had accumulated
an o i l
s a n c t i o n might
and t h a t w h o l e - h e a r t e d
o p e r a t i o n by P r a n c e could not be r e l i e d on —
r e f e r e n c e was made i n t h i s
co­
though
connection to a r e p o r t
" h e T i m e s " t h a t when M. L a v a l had t a k e n t h i s
m
line
in
at
t h e French C a b i n e t M. H e r r i o t had c h a l l e n g e d h i m .
A vieitf w h i c h met w i t h a good d e a l o f s u p p o r t was
t h a t we should
aim a t m a i n t a i n i n g t h e e x i p t i n g
t i o n s , but do our b e s t t o avoir" an o i l
sanc­
sanction.
There was no q u e s t i o n o f r e d u c i n g e x i s t i n g
t i o n s , but at a t i m e when t h e Governments
sanc­
principally
concerned w e r e c o n s i d e r i n g
out on t h e p r e v i o u s
the peace p r o p o s a l s
evening,
sent
t h e r e would be no
cation for
fixing
sanction.
On the o t h e r hand, i t was s u g g e s t e d t h a t
Italy
a date f o r
justifi­
accepted the o f f e r
some c o u n t r i e s ,
P r a n c e , might be u n w i l l i n g
agains t
the a p p l i c a t i o n o f an o i l
if
including
to c o n t i n u e t h e
sanction
her.
There was g e n e r a l
agreement t h a t t h e M i n i s t e r
League o f N a t i o n s A f f a i r s
i n no c i r c u m s t a n c e s
s a n c t i o n at
for
must not, say t h a t we would
a g r e e t o t h e i m p o s i t i o n o f an o i l
some f u t u r e
had removed s a n c t i o n s
d a t e , or that recent
altogether
events
from t h e f i e l d
of
act i o n .
The S e c r e t a r y
reported
on h i s
of
State
for
Dominion
Affahrs
conversations with representatives
the Dominions on t h e p r e v i o u s jday .
of
The A u s t r a l i a n
N i g h Commissioner had noi^ boon v e r y much c o n c e r n e d
about t h e e f f e c t
of
the peace p r o p o s a l s on A u s t r a l i a n
public o p i n i o n .
Other N i g h Cornmissioners, h o w e v e r , had.
been somewhat alarmed a t t h e i r
public
Governments.
be i n t e r p r e t e d
Italy
^hey s a i d t h a t
as b e t t e r
before
t h e war s t a r t e d ,
w e r e c o n c e r n e d , he and
tkt Acrw^ fu&u*f
w e j ? c
lArbth,
had^thoaighi..
so t h a t the
agreed
a.ggressor
So f a r as m e r i t s /
fyM*j
LHA£
M^O
$vUcn^ fchat^.
Pia^jtH-^M-d-.
t h e r e was no m i s t a k i n g
They d i d not f e e l
that
the
exchange
i n the N o r t h was t h e main d i f f i c u l t y ,
the l a r g e area
the South.
and so
(k&G-$&&&*&$^^
Nevertheless
their anxiety.
of territory
tka.t
on
t h e terms would
than would have been
would have obtained, an a d v a n t a g e .
^H"
effect
o p i n i o n i n t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e Dominions,
on t h e i r
for
probable
" o r economic development f o r
The N i g h Coinmis--ioner o f South
in particular,
Italy
V/e w e r e not l i k e l y
in
Africa,
had b e e n concerned, at t h e p r o s p e c t
arming t h e N a t i v e s .
but
of
t o have h i s
support i f ,
as was p r o p o s e d , t h e O f f i c e r s
g e n d a r m e r i e were t o be p r e d o m i n a n t l y
Secretary
by t h e
T T
o f S t a t e thought
He hoped,
public
therefore,
for modifications
m
part o f
in
proposals
country.
detail.
the Exchequer quoted
f o r League o f N a t i o n s A f f a i r s
evening,
might be t o r e p e a t
expressed
the
opinion i n this
t h a t had b e e n e n u n c i a t e d
on t h e p r e v i o u s
The
t h a t t h e r e might be some room
he Chancellor of
principles
Italian.
that the d i s l i k e
i g h Commissioners t o t h i s
probably r e f l e c t e d
o f "the
the
^y t h e
Minister
i n t h e House o f Commons
and s u g g e s t e d t h a t h i s
those p r i n c i p l e s ,
q u e s t i o n o f whether t h e i r
t o say
line
that/the
p r o p e r a p p l i c a t i o n was
embodied i n the p r o p o s a l s was a p o i n t / h e wao p u t t i n g
I t was s u g g e s t e d , h o w e v e r ,
altogether
solve
the d i f f i c u l t i e s
League o f N a t i o n s A f f a i r s
posals,
that
since, quite
apart
t h i s would not
of
the M i n i s t e r
i n supporting
these
for
"Foreign A f f a i r s
a c c e p t e d them, i t
and M. L a v a l .
A good d e a l o f
for
he should make use o f
discussion
the Exchequer's
the f i r s t
that
a very
f o r an area, o f
He was c e r t a i n , h o w e v e r ,
Powers, p a r t i c u l a r l y
part of
thought
He d i d not know how much room he would,
t h e S c a n d i n a v i a n Powers but a l s o t h e
this
Italy
took
proposal
the t h r e e p r i n c i p l e s
have t o manoeuvre as t o t h e p r o p o s a l
colonisation.
State
therefore,
League o^ N a t i o n s A f f a i r s
the Chancellor o f
valuable one.
of
point.
^he M i n i s t e r
that
If,
the
would g i v e M. L a v a l an o p p o r t u n i t y
t o drop s a n c t i o n s .
p l a c p on t h i s
pro­
from t h e p r i n c i p l e s ,
d e t a i l s had been recommended by the S e c r e t a r y
for
would not r e p l y .
I t was p o s s i b l e
I t a l y would a c c e p t
only
Mediterranean
T u r k e y , would l o o k askance
the scheme.
fey/ days
t h a t not
that
at
within
and A b y s s i n i a
M . L a v a l might t h e n t r y
and
withdraw t h e e x i s t i n g
sanctions.
oppose.
I f Abyssinia refused,
existing
sanctions
to
the s t r i f e
trouble,
should
T h i s he i n t e n d e d
he thought
continue u n t i l
a g r e e d on some b a s i s o f
that
the
the
parties
settlement.
h o w e v e r , would be w i t h M. L a v a l i f
to
The
Italy
accepted.
A s u g g e s t i o n which met w i t h s t r o n g
s a n c t i o n s ought
to
continue unless
support was
and u n t i l
that
t h e r e was
an a r m i s t i c e .
The Cabinet w e r e reminded t h a t
was a c t u a l l y
a p a r t y t o t h e p r o p o s e d peace
i n so much t h a t ,
League ha '
-
forth.
therefore,
the proposal they
t h e members o f
any r e s p o n s i b i l i t y
said
t h e League would d i s l i k e
Kingdom and P r a n c e i f
it;
disliked
ineffective .
Some would n o t be w i l l i n g
peace would come o f
to i n t e r f e r e
t h e y thought
the question,
but t h e y would d i s l i k e
as t o t h e e f f e c t
happened now on d e t e r r i n g a . g g r e s s i o n .
an end o f
a g g r e s s o r would have l o s t
and p r e s t i g e .
taking
p e o p l e had. c o n t e m p l a t e d
some exchange o f
privileges
was not
for
Italy,
a. c i v i l i s e d
i n the past,
the r e s u l t ,
i n which t h e
result
to
material
achieve
P r o b a b l y , h o w e v e r , most­
that
the e v e n t u a l
territory
country
terms must
and some economic
b e a r i n g i n mind t h a t
Abyssinia
an^ had behaved, v e r y
even, t o o u r s e l v e s .
it
A good many
the dispute
That was a d i f f i c u l t
aspects
o f what
considerably both in
w i t h i n a reasonable time.
include
with
in connection with a s e t t l e m e n t .
namely,
p e o p l e had, p i c t u r e d
the
that
The C a b i n e t w e r e reminded o f t h e long-ra.nge
of
the
and so
t h e League
f o r League o f N a t i o n s A f f a i r s
t h a t a good manymembers o f
t h e Uniter-
terms,
i n nominating a d v i s e r s ,
could r e n d e r i t
The M i n i s t e r
proposals .
itself
i n o r d e r t o r e n d e r them e f f e c t i v e ,
to co-operate
If,
t h e League
If,
however,
would come as a shock t o p u b l i c
badly
t h a t was
opinion.
I t was s u g g e s t e d t h a t
g r a d u a l l y prepared
had e x p e c t e d .
public
for
o p i n i o n ought
a different
I f we were t o
result
t o what
that
I t a l y was
insist
g e t n o t h i n g and t h e whole s e t t l e m e n t
of Abyssinia,
present
i t was d i f f i c u l t
trouble .
base h i m s e l f
refuse
t o see an end t o
f o r League o f
it
i n the
favour
the
suggestion
Nations A f f a i r s
should
on t h e p r i n c i p l e s . . I f A b y s s i n i a w e r e
the proposals
i t might b e w o r t h w h i l e
them t h e p r i n c i p l e s .
If
they refused to discuss
to
them
back
longer.
Discussion took place
of
to
t o put
a l s o t h e y might have t o be t o l d t h a t we c o u l d not
them any
to
was t o be i n
That was one o b j e c t
that the M i n i s t e r
to-be
a refusal
of
as t o w h e t h e r ,
in the
event
t h e terms by A b y s s i n i a and perhaps by
t h e League o f N a t i o n s , a new s i t u a t i o n would, not be
created
i n which i t
present proposals .
would, be p o s s i b l e t o drop t h e
I t was r e c a l l e d
t h a t we had been
asked by the League t o u n d e r t a k e a d i f f i c u l t
we had. c a r r i e d
it
out t o the b e s t o f our a b i l i t y .
and Prance were n o t , h o w e v e r ,
civilisation,
task,
but m e r - l y
pa.rties t o g e t h e r with a view to a s o l u t i o n .
however,
free?
I t was
the
If
t h a t , having recommended t h e p r o p o s a l s t o the
d i s a g r e e d we c o u l d
b e c a u s e she a c c e p t e d t h e s e p r o p o s a l s ,
that
broke
Italy,
c o u l d not
from s a n c t i o n s which had been imposed
b e c a u s e she had been d e s i g n a t e d an a g g r e s s o r .
ought, therefore,
to maintain sanctions;
down owing t o t h e a t t i t u d e
we c o u l d not be e x p e c t e d t o
*Ve
but i f
they
of other jaations
continue
them.
The q u e s t i o n was asked as t o what our a t t i t u d e
be i f
aid
situation.
The C a b i n e t w e r e r e m i n d e ^ , h o w e v e r ,
escape
party
s l i p out o f our r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s
go back t o the former
to
they
suggested,
p a r t i e s , we could not now say t h a t because one
expect
Me
s p e a k i n g i n t h e name o f
d o i n g our b e s t t o g e t
would not. a c c e p t , were we not
and
the League i n v i t e d
F r a n c e and. o u r s e l v e s
would
t o make
another
attempt.
The M i n i s t e r
for
League o f N a t i o n s A f f a i r s
he would not a g r e e w i t h o u t r e f e r r i n g
Summing up, he suggested, t h a t
still
and make c o l l e c t i v e
and t h a t we
action
effective.
he had t o choose b e t w e e n two r i s k s ,
a g g r e s s i o n by
Italy,
L e a g u e , he would
In t h i s
and ( 2 )
u n l e s s France was w i t h u s .
p r e p a r e d t o t a k e our p a r t
in
evil.
Cabinet
principle
hostilities
--/Ye w e r e , o f
course,
in c o l l e c t i v e
a.ction,
o n l y on c o n d i t i o n t h a t t h a t
sense o f
the
the
t h e fundamental
t h a t we were not t o become i n v o l v e d
an
the l e s s e r
connection, however,
were once more reminded, o f
every
(l)
a collapse of
c o n s i d e r t h e former
latte^
Cabinet.
our f o r e i g n p o l i c y was
based on the League o f N a t i o n s ,
should t r y
If
to the
said,
but
a c t i o n was c o l l e c t i v e
t h e t e r m , namely, b o t h i n i t s
a p p l i c a t i o n and i n any consequences
in
immediate
t o which i t
might
give r i s e .
I t was s u g g e s t e d t o t h e M i n i s t e r
Nations A f f a i r s
t o him v e r y
ensue i f
m
t h a t he should
seriously
the
France w e r e t o withdraw
take that r e s p o n s i b i l i t y ?
of
t h e Cabinet
usual
get
the
the p a r t i e s
to
existing
round, a.
solid
front
f o r League o f N a t i o n s A f f a i r s
e v e n i n g u r g i n g t h e Emperor t o e x e r c i s e
statesmanship i n d e a l i n g w i t h t h i s
to reject,
it
out o f h a n d .
h o w e v e r , was n o t e a s y ,
be
-Vas M. L a v a l w i l l i n g
on
said^
a t e l e g r a m had been s e n t t o A b y s s i n i a , on t h e
previous
not
sanctions.
t o remember that, t h e main o b j e c t
t a b l e , while maintaining
sanctions.
that
from
would
Ne was a l s o asked by one
the n e c o t i a t i o n s was t o
The M i n i s t e r
of
s e e M. L a v a l and. put
consequences t h a t
h a t would smash t h e L e a g u e .
member o f
f o r League
affected.
and h i s
proposal
The E m p e r o r ' s
internal
his
and
position,
s i t u a t i o n might
sex
The Prime M i n i s t e r ,
summing u p , s a i d t h a t
the
d i s c u s s i o n had shown a. c o n s i d e r a b l e measure o f
w i t h the l i n e
s u g g e s t e d at t h e o u t s e t
by t h e M i n i s t e r
at
discussion
f o r League o f N a t i o n s A f f a i r s ,
Geneva would be i n a r e l a t i v e l y
somewhat s i m i l a r
to that of
a d d r e s s in,: t h e House o f
mind t h e v i e w s o f h i s
for
o f the
agreement
instructions
a Minister
position
actually
Commons, and would, b e a r
colleagues, referring
i n case o f
The t r e n d o f
isolated
who
in
to
them
necessity.
the d i s c u s s i o n may be summed up as
follows:­
(a)
That,
i n r e g a r d t o the p r o p o s a l s made t o
Italy
and A b y s s i n i a ,
the M i n i s t e r
League o f N a t i o n s A f f a i r s
use h i s
discretion,
for
would have
according
to
to
the
circumstances
he e n c o u n t e r e d at, Geneva,
as t o how f a r
i t was n e c e s s a r y
t o champion them, e s p e c i a l l y
He might
find
it
better
him
in
detail.
t o base
himself
on t h e t h r e e main p r i n c i p l e s
as he h i m s e l f had announced
of
for
Commons on t h e p r e v i o u s
on w h i c h ,
i n the House
evening,
the
proposals were founded, v i z . : ­
(l)
An excha ge o^ t e r r i t o r y c o n v e y i n g
d e f i n i t e advantages to both s i d e s :
(2)
League a s s i s t a n c e t o E t h i o p i a f o r
purpose o f s o c i a l , economic and
a d m i n i s t r a t i v e developments:
the
(3) S p e c i a l f a c i l i t i e s f o r I t a l i a n s e t t l e r s
and I t a l i a n companies i n c o n n e c t i o n
w i t h t h a t economic d e v e l o p m e n t .
The M i n i s t e r would have t o bear i n mind
t h e c r i t i c i s m w h i c h , a t a M e e t i n g on t h e
]This passage was
[drafted b e f o r e t h e
karlier p a r t o f t h e
i n c l u s i o n and
^ommunieated as a ...
^ajjt to t h e M i n i s t e r
or League o f N a t i o n s
Stairs just b e f o r e
departure f o r
?neva on December 1 1 t h
^ 2 p.m.
previous
day, t h e - igh Commissioners
T
T
t h e Dominions had d i r e c t e d a g a i n s t
proposals
for
an I t a l i a n Zone o f
Expansion and C o l o n i s a t i o n
in
of
the
Economic
Abyssinia,
?
G
and. which was l i k e l y
t o be t h e
feature
most c r i t i c i s e d
in this
country
a t Geneva i t s e l f .
indeed,
t h e r e f o r e be on h i s
acquiescing
proposals
Re should
guard
against
i n any m o d i f i c a t i o n o f
i n favour
of
Italy
Re should not h e s i t a t e
the
such as
M. L a v a l might be e x p e c t e d t o
of
and.,
suggest.
t o i n f o r m M. L a v a l
the r e a c t i o n o f public o p i n i o n i n
country to the proposals
so f a r as
w e r e known, and t o i n d i c a t e t h a t
this
they
if
any
a l t e r a t i o n s w e r e t o be made t h e y must be
rather
in favour
( b ) As r e g a r d s o i l
of
Abyssinia,
sanctions the M i n i s t e r
League o f R a t i o n s A f f a i r s
authorised
to
enquiries,
that
of
policy
indicate,
should be
in reply
to
t h e r e had b e e n no change
on t h e p a r t o f R i s
Majesty's
Government, but t h a t ,
pending a
up o f
the v a r i o u s
the a t t i t u d e o f
towards the b a s i s
the question o f
likely
for
fixing
to a r i s e .
however,
not t o
circumstances
some f u t u r e
clearing
parties
discussion of
peace,
a date was not
Re should be
careful,
say t h a t we would i n no
agree
date,
to o i l
sanctions
"^he i m p o r t a n t
f o r him t o s e c u r e was t h a t
at
thing
during
the
coming week t h e r e should b e no d a t e
for
oil
sanctions.
a r i s e which b r o u g h t
to the front
arrange
for
business
at
it
If
circumstances
and
t o be d e a l t w i t h as a
an
the p r a c t i c a b i l i t y
efficacious,
more e s p e c i a l l y
should
t h e q u e s t i o n once more
p r o p o s i t i o n and ask f o r
it
fixed
Geneva, he should, t r y
investigation of
rendering
for
having
of
infnind
the u n c e r t a i n t y o f
effective
action by the United States of America.
I f he found himself in a position of
See note on
page 11*
difficulty he should communicate with
"
^
London for further instructions .
1
4 . The M i n i s t e r
proposed.
Rginforce­
t of the
garrison.
m e n
(previous
Reference:
Gsbinet 45
Con­
clusion 1.)
recalled, that
Requirements
f o r League o f N a t i o n s
at a M e e t i n g o f
Affairs
the Defence P o l i c y
Committee on December 6th he had
the question o f the further
reinforcement
of
and
raised
Tgypt .
As at t h a t moment, h o w e v e r , t h e p o s i t i o n had b e e n a
little
of
easier,
he had a g r e e d t o d e f e r
t h e m a t t e r u n t i l next w e e k ,
considered, i o n
^he s i t u a t i o n
in
R g y p t , h o w e v e r , had not i m p r o v e d , and h e would be
g l a d i ^ the s u b j e c t
could be c o n s i d e r e d .
t o a q u e s t i o n he said, the l a t e s t
all
p a r t i e s were u n i t i n g
The P r i m e M i n i s t e r
he had a l r e a d y
Policy
Tn r e p l y
i n f o r m a t i o n was
a g a i n s t Nessim P a s h a .
informed, t h e Cabinet
arranged f o r
and Requirements
that
a Meeting o f
the
that
Defence
Committee on t h e morrow,
Thursday, December 1 2 t h ,
s u b j e c t was on t h e Agenda
at 5.30 p . m . ,
Paper.
and t h a t
this
5 . The attention of the Cabinet was drawn to the
^POSSIBILITY
OK
t^f&N
PO
fact that during the next twenty-four hours at least
OFFICE
mqv ABSENCE the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the Minister
:
gi?CRF?ARY
0
P
STAFF.
for League of Nations Affairs and the Permanent TinderSecret ary of State for Foreign Affairs would all be out
of the country.
It was suggested that, in the absence
of the Secretary of State, the Permanent UnderSecret ary of Stabe ought to be present .
The Prime Minister said that he himself had taken
responsibility for the Foreign Office d.uring the
absence of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
S / Sir Robert Vans ittart,
on the following evening.
&R^tho
moanfed-^e- the
Parliamentary Nnder-Secretary would act as intermediary
between the Foreign Office and himself.
"S ATTTS QUO" IN
6. The Cabinet had b e f o r e them t h e f o l l o w i n g
WE PACIFIC .
—
documents on t h e s u b j e c t o f t h e " S t a t u s Quo" i n t h e
A r t i c l e XIX
f the
P a c i f i c and t h e a d v a n t a g e s o r d i s a d v a n t a g e s t o t h e
Washington
Treaty.
U n i t e d Kingdom o f r e n e w i n g A r t i c l e XIX o f the
m
0
(previous
Reference:
Cabinet 48
(-35), Con"elusion 9.)
Washington
Treaty:­
A N o t e by t h e S e c r e t a r y ( C P . - 2 3 1 ( 3 5 ) )
c o v e r i n g a R e p o r t by t h e C h i e f s o f S t a f f
Sub-Committee, who had r e a c h e d t h e
following Conclusion:­
"From the s t r a t e g i c a l p o i n t o f v i e w
i t w o u l d , we c o n s i d e r , be t o our
a d v a n t a g e t o be no l o n g e r bound by
t h e a t a t u s quo a g r e e m e n t , but t h e
a d v a n t a g e t o us o f i t s a b r o g a t i o n i s
dependent on a number o f f a c t o r s w h i c h
we have r e f e r r e d , t o a b o v e .
It is
c e r t a i n t h a t i f we a r e u n a b l e , f o r
f i n a n c i a l or other reasons, to place
Pong Kong i n a s t a t e o f d e f e n c e
e q u i v a l e n t t o t h a t i n which t h e
Japanese w i l l c e r t a i n l y p l a c e t h e i r
b a s e s , t h e n we s h a l l stand t o l o s e
more t h a n we s h a l l g a i n .
I f , on the
o t h e r hand, i t i s decided that A r t i c l e
XIX,, amended t o meet t h e needs o f t h e
p r e s e n t d a y , be r e t a i n e d , then we
s t r o n g l y u r g e t h a t we should o b t a i n
some quid pro quo from Japan i n o t h e r
d i r e c t i o n s f o r the r e t e n t i o n o f that
A r t i c l e as was done i n 1 9 2 2 . "
The N o t e s t a t e d t h a t t h e Sub-Committee
on D e f e n c e P o l i c y and Requirements had
c o n s i d e r e d t h e above R e p o r t , b u t , owing
to the l a r g e p o l i t i c a l issues i n v o l v e d ,
a f f e c t i n g not o n l y our p o s i t i o n i n t h e
Far F a s t but a l s o t h a t o f t h e Common­
w e a l t h o f A u s t r a l i a , and. t h e Dominion of
New Z e a l a n d , t h e Sub-Committee r e c o r d e d
the f o l l o w i n g C o n c l u s i o n s : ­
"(i)
That t h e questions, r a i s e d i n t h e
R e p o r t by t h e C h i e f s o f S t a f f SubCommittee on t h e ' S t a t u s Quo' i n
t h e P a c i f i c should be r e s e r v e d f o r
t h e C a b i n e t owing t o t h e i r i m p o r t a n c e ,
and p l a c e d on t h e C a b i n e t Agenda
for t h e i r next Meeting:
(ii)
To ask the S e c r e t a r y or 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 f S t a t e f o r Dominion A f f a i r s
t o a r r a n g e f o r P a p e r s t o be p r e p a r e d
g i v i n g t h e i r c o n s i d e r e d v i e w s on
t h i s matter f o r the information
of the C a b i n e t . "
A 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 . - 2 3 8 ( 3 5 ) )
c o n t a i n i n g an a p p r e c i a t i o n o f the
p o l i t i c a l considerations involved in
the r e t e n t i o n or otherwise o f A r t i c l e
XIX o f t h e Washington T r e a t y — f u r n i s h e d
i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h ( i i ) a b o v e — and
s u g g e s t i n g the f o l l o w i n g as perhaps
b e s t c o u r s e t o be p u r s u e d : ­
"(l)
At the a p p r o p r i a t e moment, e x p r e s s
readiness to prolong this p r o v i s i o n
o f t h e Washington T r e a t y , s u b j e c t
o n l y t o such m o d i f i c a t i o n s as may
be n e c e s s a r y t o b r i n g i t up t o d a t e
i n v i e w o f t h e development o f t h e
requirements o f a i r defence since
1922 .
(2)
I f Japan demands m o d i f i c a t i o n s
u n a c c e p t a b l e t o u s . t h e y can be
r e j e c t e d w i t h t h e knowledge t h a t
we s h a l l not much mind i f A r t i c l e
XIX d i s a p p e a r s .
I f Japan p r o v e s
i n t r a c t a b l e , she must t a k e t h e
blame f o r t h e n o n - r e n e w a l o f t h e
Article.
(3)
In any e a s e , a s c e r t a i n t h e v i e w s
o f the United S t a t e s D e l e g a t i o n
(who may have new i n s t r u c t i o n s )
b e f o r e a d e f i n i t e d e c i s i o n i s taken
t h a t i t would be i n our g e n e r a l
i n t e r e s t , from a p o l i t i c a l as w e l l
as from a s t r a t e g i c a l p o i n t o f v i e w ,
to allow these d i s p o s i t i o n s o f the
"Washington T r e a t y t o d i s a p p e a r . "
I n t h e c o u r s e of
of
the
the d i s c u s s i o n the
S t a t e f o r Dominion A f f a i r s
Secretary
r e p o r t e d t h a t he had
c o n s u l t e d t h e A u s t r a l i a n and New Z e a l a n d Governments
who had no s t r o n g v i e w s on the q u e s t i o n .
however,
that i f
Conference
it
the s u b j e c t
He a s k e d ,
d i d come up a t t h e
s h o u l d be d i s c u s s e d f i r s t
with
Naval
the
B r i t i s h Commonwealth D e l e g a t i o n s .
A t t e n t i o n was a l s o drawn t o a t e l e g r a m
H i s M a j e s t y ' s Ambassador a t Tokyo
that according
( N o . 326)
from
stating
t o the newspaper " A s a h i " Japan was
not anxious to r e t a i n A r t i c l e
XIX o f
T r e a t y but would have no r e a s o n t o
t h e Washington
object
if
its
r e t e n t i o n was d e s i r e d by t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
however,
This
i t was p o i n t e d o u t , m i g h t o n l y r e f l e c t
t h e Japanese Government w i s h e d us t o
think.
The C a b i n e t were reminded t h a t we c o u l d
obtain s t r a t e g i c a l
A r t i c l e XIX i f
a d v a n t a g e s from
i t were p o s s i b l e
what
only
abandoning
t o spend a g o o d d e a l
o f money on t h e d e f e n c e o f
Hong Kong and t h a t
v/ise we s h o u l d s t a n d t o l o s e more than we
gain.
other­
should
I n any e v e n t , t h e r e would p r o b a b l y have
b e some c o n s i d e r a b l e
The C a b i n e t
expenditure
on i t s
to
defence.
agreed:
(a)
That on b a l a n c e t h e a d v a n t a g e
appeared t o l i e i n renewing
A r t i c l e XIX o f the h a s h i n g t o n
Treaty.
(b)
That we s h o u l d endeavour t o s e c u r e
some compensation i n exchange f o r
its retention.
(c)
That i f t h e q u e s t i o n was r a i s e d
at the Naval Conference, i t should
be d i s c u s s e d w i t h t h e B r i t i s h
Commonwealth D e l e g a t i o n s .
SERVICE REQTJIREMENTS
EN RE EVENT
OF P POSSIBLE
AGGRESSION
BY ITALY.
m
Priority in
Supply t o .
7.
The C a b i n e t had b e f o r e them t h e R e p o r t o f
Sub-Committee o f t h e Supply Board ( C P . - 3 3 7
c i r c u l a t e d t o t h e Cabinet by d i r e c t i o n o f
Minister,
d e a l i n g w i t h the q u e s t i o n o f
s u p p l y on main i t e m s o f
a
(35)),
the Prime
priority
Service requirements.
in
The
R e p o r t had b e e n c o n s i d e r e d by t h e Sub-Committee on
(Previous
Reference:
Cabinet 3 5
( 3 5 ) , Oon­
clusion 6.)
Defence P o l i c y
the
following
and. Requirements on December 6 t h , when
draft
Conclusions were
reached:­
"(a)
To t a k e n o t e o f a R e p o r t by a Sub-Committee
o f t h e Supply Board on p r i o r i t y i n supply
t o be g i v e n t o the main i t e m s o f S e r v i c e
requirements i n the event o f a p o s s i b l e
a g g r e s s i o n by I t a l y . ( P a p e r No .D .P .R .56 . )
(b)
To a p p r o v e t h a t p r i o r i t y as b e t w e e n t h e
D e f e n c e Departments should c o n t i n u e t o
be g i v e n t o t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f a n t i - a i r c r a f t
ammunition and a n t i - t a n k ammunition and.
equipment,
(c)
In o r d e r t o o b t a i n i n c r e a s e d output from
e x i s t i n g c o n t r a c t o r s and t o e n l i s t t h e
r e s o u r c e s o f new f i r m s as a f u r t h e r b a s i s
o f supply, to a u t h o r i s e the Defence
Departments t o t a k e g e n e r a l a c t i o n t o
b r i n g i n t o e f f e c t at the e a r l i e s t p o s s i b l e
d a t e t h e p o l i c y o ^ t h e shadow armament
industry r e f e r r e d to i n paragraph 9 o f
the Report (Paper N o . D . P . R . - 5 S ) , the
conditions necessary to achieve t h i s b e i n g : ­
^ 3 6)/.
'(i)
An approved l o n g - t e r m programme
g u a r a n t e e i n g funds t o t h e D e p a r t ­
merits .
(ii)
Continuity o f orders to the trade
so t h a t c o n t r a c t o r s may be a t t r a c t e d
by b u s i n e s s p r o p o s i t i o n s and. so t h a t
p e r s o n n e l and e s t a b l i s h m e n t s u p e r v i s i n g
s t a f f s may be t r a i n e d .
(iii)
(iv)
S u b s i d i e s whether t a k e n up i n t h e
c o s t o f t h e produced, a r t i c l e o r . i n
d i r e c t payment.
Greater recourse to
contracts .
non-competitive
C o n t i n u i t y o f o r d e r s should be g u a r a n t e e d
f o r a p e r i o d o f t h r e e to f o u r y e a r s ' .
I t b e i n g u n d e r s t o o d t h a t as r e g a r d s c o n d i ­
t i o n s ( i i ) and. ( i i i ) i t would p r o b a b l y be
n e c e s s a r y , i n t h e c a s e o f l a r g e non-armament
f i r m s , t o p r o c e e d by g i v i n g t h e s e f i r m s
t r i a l o r d e r s , p r o v i d i n g them w i t h t h e
n e c e s s a r y j i g s and. t o o l s , and making
arrangements so t h a t t h e i r o r g a n i s a t i o n
would be r e a d y and a v a i l a b l e i n an
emergency,
(d)
That t h e D e f e n c e Departments should t a k e
a c t i o n on t h e recommendations g i v e n i n
C o n c l u s i o n ( c ) above t h r o u g h t h e T r e a s u r y
Emergency E x p e n d i t u r e C o m m i t t e e .
-19­
(e)
That t h e D e f e n c e D e p a r t m e n t s , i n c o n s u . l t ­
a t i o n w i t h the Chairman o f t h e Supply
Eoar- and t h e T r e a s u r y , s h o u l d make such
additions to their respective s t a f f s ,
w h e t h e r f o r work i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e
P r i n c i p a l Supply O f f i c e r s Committee or
i n s p e c t i o n purposes^ as maybe n e c e s s a r y
f o r e x p e d i t i n g supplies in time o f w a r . "
1
The a t t e n t i o n
to the f a c t
of
the C a b i n e t was drawn
t h a t the Terms o f R e f e r e n c e
Sub-Committee o f
of
a g g r e s s i o n by I t a l y .
i t was t o a l l o w
the d e s i r a b i l i t y
questioned,
of
of
Sub-Committee,
and t h e
industry
armament s u p p l y .
t h i s was n o t
While
specifically
i t was s u g g e s t e d t h a t a
to
decision
o f such i m p o r t a n c e ought n o t / b e t a k e n e x c e p t as
of
the general r e v i e w of
was about t o b e
(c)
the Government Departments
c o n c e r n e d t o c r e a t e a shadow armament
over the whole f i e l d
event
Conclusion
h o w e v e r , had been made t o a p p l y g e n e r a l l y
of
limited
i n supply i n the
t h e 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
effect
the
the Supply Board had b e e n
to the question of p r i o r i t y
of a p o s s i b l e
of
Defence Requirements
part
that
undertaken.
The C a b i n e t w e r e i n f o r m e d ,
however,
that
a t t h e m e e t i n g o f t h e 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
Sub-Committee t h e P r e s i d e n t o f
had opened up the l a r g e r
o f war, and t h a t
difficulty
of
Trade
question of supplies
in
the d i s c u s s i o n had shown t h e
separating
Abyssinia
entirely
supplies
generally.
The C a b i n e t
(a)
t h e Board o f
supplies for
from t h e l a r g e r
Italy
question
and
of
agreed:
To a p p r o v e t h e recommendations o f
the Sub-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 quoted above so
f a r as c o n c e r n e d p r e p a r a t i o n f o r a
p o s s i b l e a g g r e s s i o n by I t a l y ,
i n c l u d i n g the normal p r o c e d u r e
s p e c i f i e d i n ( d ) o f t h o s e recommen­
dations.
time
(b)
T h a t any d i f f i c u l t y a r i s i n g i n any
p a r t i c u l a r case i n s e p a r a t i n g
s u p p l i e s f o r t h e p r e s e n t emergency
from t h o s e r e q u i r e d g e n e r a l l y f o r
a major w a r , should he
r e s o l v e d b y t h e T r e a s u r y Emergency
E x p e n d i t u r e Committee.
(c)
T h a t , s u b j e c t t o the a b o v e , t h e p o l i c y
o f the c r e a t i o n o f a shadow armament
i n d u s t r y s h o u l d be r e s e r v e d f o r c o n ­
s i d e r a t i o n i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h the
T h i r d R e p o r t of the Defence Requirements
Committee.
8.
The C a b i n e t had b e f o r e
the Secretary o f
State
for
them a Memorandum by
the Colonies
(CP.-225
i n t h e c o u r s e o f w h i c h he recommended t h a t
m i g h t r e a s o n a b l y be g i v e n f o r
supplies
reference
the f o l l o w i n g
conditions
At
authority
t h e purchase and use
o f t e a r gas by C o l o n i a l Governments
without prior
to the Secretary
and
of
State,
(b)
N o r m a l l y under the a u t h o r i t y o f t h e
Governor o r O f f i c e r A d m i n i s t e r i n g t h e
Government, but at t h e d i s c r e t i o n o f
t h e Head o f t h e P o l i c e F o r c e , i f t h e
Governor t h i n k s f i t t o d e l e g a t e t h i s
authority.
(c)
I n c i r c u m s t a n c e s such as d e a l i n g w i t h
b a n d i t r y , where t h e r e i s a s e r i o u s r i s k
o f c a s u a l t i e s b e i n g i n c u r r e d by the
P o l i c e F o r c e i f t h e P o l i c e were u n a b l e
t o use gas and had t o r e l y on o t h e r
weapons.
(d.)
I n t h e a r r e s t o f armed, i n d i v i d u a l s , who,
h a v i n g sought r e f u g e i n a b u i l d i n g o r
o t h e r p l a c e o f v a n t a g e , might evade
a r r e s t w i t h t h e aid. o f f i r e - a r r a s .
(e)
I n d e a l i n g w i t h mobs and r i o t s i n c a s e s
where i t would o t h e r w i s e be n e c e s s a r y
to shoot .
t h e same t i m e t h e S e c r e t a r y o f
before
State proposed,
the Cabinet, to lay
as t o t h e t r a i n i n g r e q u i r e d
the S e c r e t a r y
had asked t h e a p p r o v a l
of
of his
down
by the! P o l i c e
t h e equipment was a l l o w e d t o be
After
used.
State f o r
the
colleagues
Colonies
to the
above
proposals,
The S e c r e t a r y
his
colleagues
of State
for
India
informed
t h a t he had r e c e n t l y had a t a l k
S i r R e g i n a l d C l a r k e who had had w i d e
with
experience
o f p o l i c e work i n I n d i a and who had b e e n i n
the
U n i t e d S t a t e s o f A m e r i c a where he had s t u d i e d
t h e use o f
t e a r gas a g a i n s t
crowds.
Sir
had c o n v i n c e d him, and he h&d?^s^B4^h*m-tre
-22­
on
occasions:­
By P o l i c e F o r c e s i n t h e C o l o n i a l Depend­
e n c i e s , when t h e y h a v e r e c e i v e d t h e
requisite training.
conditions
of
generally,
(a)
w i t h the approval o f
(35))
Reginald
India
where he w o u l d d i s c u s s
the question, w i t h t h e
He warned t h e C a b i n e t ,
therefore,
he coming t o them b e f o r e
for
t h e use o f
t h a t he might
long f o r wider
t e a r g a s than he had a t
The C a b i n e t
Viceroy.
authority
present.
agreed:
To a p p r o v e the p r o p o s a l s o f t h e
Secretary of S t a t e f o r the
C o l o n i e s i n C P . 226 ( 3 5 ) as
summarised a b o v e .
. ^
n
432
MUNICIPAL
MIDWIFERY
SBRVICR .
proposed
Bill to
establish.,
(Previous
Reference:
Cabinet 51
( 3 5 ) , Con­
elusion 4 .)
9.
The C a b i n e t had b e f o r e
Minister
of Health ( C P . - 2 3 0
them a Memorandum by
(35))
t o proceed w i t h the p r e p a r a t i o n of
a Municipal Midwifery
a Bill
discussion with
^),
and o t h e r s
concerned.
of
to i t ,
Conclusion
and was
submitted by t h e Home
Minister
their
Meeting
I n h i s Memorandum t h e
of Health l a i d before his
approval
included
Affairs
Committee and approved by t h e C a b i n e t a t t h e
mentioned i n the m a r g i n .
Bill
on c o n s i d e r a ­
(
Rills
establish
Such a
Speech C a b i n e t 49 ( 3 5 ) ,
which contained a r e f e r e n c e
in the L i s t
to
representatives
was a p p r o v e d i n p r i n c i p l e by t h e Cabinet
t i o n of the K i n g ' s
authority
S e r v i c e i n Hngland and .V'ales ,
and w i t h any n e c e s s a r y
of Local Authorities
seeking
the
some f u r t h e r
details
colleagues
of
the
for
proposed
l e g i s l a t i o n , which i n v o l v e d
t h e i n s t i t u t i o n o f a new
public
additional
service
After
and m a t e r i a l
h e a r i n g some e x p l a n a t i o n s
from t h e M i n i s t e r
of Health,
expenditure.
of
the Cabinet
detail
agreed:
To a u t h o r i s e t h e M i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h
t o p r o c e e d w i t h the p r e p a r a t i o n o f a
B i l l to e s t a b l i s h a Municipal
M i d w i f e r y S e r v i c e i n England and
W a l e s , and w i t h any n e c e s s a r y
discussion with representatives
o f L o c a l A u t h o r i t i e s and o t h e r s
concerned.
IRATING- A N D
(VALUATION.
[PROPOSED
BILL.
mm
% (Previous
J Reference:
I cabinet 11
I ( 3 4 ) , Con5 e l u s i o n 15 . )
P. ft
$ ( S t y '
10.
The C a b i n e t had b e f o r e
Minister of Health
for
(CP.-228
them a Memorandum by t h e
(35))
the p r e p a r a t i o n o f a B i l l
particulars
Valuation,
seeking
to assimilate
t h e law i n London, r e l a t i n g
to that
authority
in
t o R a t i n g and
i n t h e P r o v i n c e s , and t o e f f e c t
minor amendments i n t h e p r o v i n c i a l p r o c e d u r e
interim revision of valuation l i s t s .
desirable
present
that
the B i l l
Session,
certain
for
I t was v e r y
should become law during
so t h a t any a c t i o n n e c e s s a r y
t h e new assessments w h i c h w i l l
some
to
the
correct
o p e r a t e from A p r i l
next
can be t a k e n d u r i n g the r a t i n g p e r i o ^ t h e n commencing.
The Prime M i n i s t e r warned the M i n i s t e r
H e a l t h t h a t the P a r l i a m e n t a r y
Secretary to
T r e a s u r y might meet w i t h some d i f f i c u l t y
Parliamentary
time f o r
this B i l l ,
s a i d he was p r e p a r e d t o take h i s
Subject
t o the above,
hut the
of
the
in
finding
Minister
chance.
the C a b i n e t
agreed:
To a u t h o r i s e the M i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h
to prepare a B i l l to a s s i m i l a t e i n
c e r t a i n p a r t i c u l a r s the lav/ i n
London, r e l a t i n g t o R a t i n g and
V a l u a t i o n , t o that i n the P r o v i n c e s ,
and t o e f f e c t some minor amendments
i n the p r o v i n c i a l procedure f o r
interim revision of valuation l i s t s .
WATER POLICY Appointment
of new J o i n t
Select Committee.
(Previous
Reference:
Cabinet
(35) , Con­
o l u s i o n "*'?)
11.
The Cabinet had b e f o r e
the M i n i s t e r
that
of Health
i t was h i g h l y
begun by t h e J o i n t
them a Memorandum by
(CP.-227
(35))
d e s i r a b l e t h a t the
Select
pointing
investigation
Committee o f b o t h Houses
t o c o n s i d e r t h e measures r e q u i r e d
for
the
better
c o n s e r v a t i o n and o r g a n i s a t i o n o f w a t e r r e s o u r c e s
supplies,
and i n t e r r u p t e d
Parliament,
out
by t h e d i s s o l u t i o n
and
of
should be continued, and c o m p l e t e d ;
and
p r o p o s i n g , w i t h the concurrence of h i s c o l l e a g u e s ,
move t h a t
a new J o i n t
Select
Committee should be
a p p o i n t e d w i t h t h e same Terms o f
Reference.
The C a b i n e t a p p r o v e d t h e p r o p o s a l s
o f the M i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h i n
CoPo 227 ( 3 5 ) as summarised a b o v e .
2 , W h i t e h a l l G a r d e n s , 8*wf. 1, ,
1 1 t h December,
1935.
to
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OP HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
TO BE K E P T
UNDER
LOCK
AND KEY.
It is requested that special care may be taken to
ensure the secrecy of this document.
MOSTSEGEET.
COPY N O . JO
C A B I N E T .
ITALO-ABYSSINIAN
DISPUTE.
NOTES o f a M e e t i n g o f M i n i s t e r s h e l d i n t h e P r i m e
M i n i s t e r s R o o m , H o u s e o f C o m m o n s , o n MONDAY,
1 6 t h DECEMBER, 1 9 3 5 , a t 9 o 0 p . m
f
0
P R E S E N T :
The
R i g h t Horio S t a n l e y B a l d w i n , Mo P .
Prime Minister,
( i n the Chair).
The R i g h t H o n .
Jo R a m s a y M a c D o n a l d ,
Lord P r e s i d e n t of the
?
The R i g h t Hon
N e v i l l e Chamberlain, MoPo,
C h a n c e l l o r of t h e Exchequer.
s
Council.
T h e R i g h t Hono
The R i g h t H o n .
Sir John Simon, & . C . S . I o ,
K.C.VcOo,
Ao D u f f C o o p e r , D . S . O . , M . P . ,
OoBcE. , K o C . , MoPo , S e c r e t a r y o f
S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r War
S t a t e f o r Home A f f a i r s .
B
The R i g h t H o n
The V i s c o u n t S w i n t o n , G o B . E . ,
MoC., S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r
Air.
The
The R i g h t H o n .
The V i s c o u n t M o n s e l l , GoBoEo,
F i r s t Lord of the Admiralty,,
The
0
Colonel
S i r MoP.A.
Hankey,
R i g h t Hon
W a l t e r Runciman, M . P . ,
President of the Board
0
of
Trade.
R i g h t Hono
Anthony Eden, MoC., M P . ,
M i n i s t e r f o r League of Nations
Affairs.
0
G c C B o , G.C.M.G. ,
Ca " b i n e t
0
GoC.V.0.,
Secretary
to
the
I THS ITALOAjjYSSINIAN
I lilSPUTE.
fae Proposed
port f o r
Abyssinia.
The Basis f o r
peace Nego­
tiations.
The f o r t h c o m i n g
discussions
at Geneva.
1.
The o b j e c t
of
t h e m e e t i n g was t o
i n a p r e l i m i n a r y way,
prior
on t h e f o l l o w i n g
the l i n e
Minister
day,
to
the C a b i n e t m e e t i n g
t o be taken b y
f o r League o f N a t i o n s A f f a i r s
coning meeting of
the Council
discuss
of
a t the
t h e League
the
forth­
of
N a t i o n s a t Geneva,
A t the o u t s e t
of
t h e m e e t i n g t h e M i n i s t e r for
League of N a t i o n s A f f a i r s g a v e an e x p l a n a t i o n which
he had r e c e i v e d from S i r R o b e r t V a n s i t t a r t as t o
statement published t o the e f f e c t
that no railway
w o u l d be p e r m i t t e d from t h e c o a s t p o r t
t o be
c e d e d under the P a r i s p r o p o s a l s by A b y s s i n i a t o
and a good d e a l o f
discussion
the
Italy,
t o o k p l a c e on t h i s
point,,
Subsequently
the M i n i s t e r
for
League
N a t i o n s A f f a i r s handed round the d r a f t
of a
he p r o p o s e d t o make a t t h e o p e n i n g o f t h e
meeting
(appendix),
the g e n e r a l
lines
of
t o some c o r r e c t i o n ,
AS
and a f t e r
of
statement
Council
considerable
discussion
the d r a f t were approved,
for
submission t o the
Cabinet,
t h e main heads o f t h e d i s c u s s i o n on b o t h
t h e s e p o i n t s were d i s c u s s e d by t h e C a b i n e t
on t h e
f o l l o w i n g morning and a r e i n c l u d e d i n a r e c o r d
that meeting,
record.
subject
t h e y a r e n o t summarised i n
this
of
So The Home S e c r e t a r y
had i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t
to hold a meeting
afternoon,
the
reported
t h a t S c o t l a n d Yard,
I t a l i a n P a c i s t League
proposed,
i n t h e London Hippodrome on Sunday
December 29th, f o r
the purpose o f
voluntary contributions
from t h e I t a l i a n
England t o a s s i s t
i n h e r East A f r i c a n
Italy
The I t a l i a n Ambassador was e x p e c t e d
to
stimulating
colony
in
campaign.
speak.
There was no power i n t h e E x e c u t i v e i n t h i s
t o p r o c l a i m or
felt
prohibit
a. l a w f u l m e e t i n g .
^Yie P o l i c e
a b l e t o h a n d l e t h e m a t t e r but could not
t h a t t h e r e would, not be a h o s t i l e
streets
considerations.
were a h o s t i l e
Ambassador,
national
for
example, that
demonstration against the
the c o n n e c t i o n o f
there­
inter­
There might
i n Rome a g a i n s t
Police
Italian
t h i s with the
s i t u a t i o n was o b v i o u s .
the
individuals .
turned on more than
Supposing,
counter demonstrations
guarantee
demonstration i n
or some i n c i d e n t , a f f e c t i n g
The d e c i s i o n , h o w e v e r ,
country
even be
British
s ubj e c t s i n I t a l y .
He s u g g e s t e d ,
therefore,
be s e e n at once and informed
heard o f
this
that.- S i g n o r Grandi
that
course, that
the Government ha^
suggested, m e e t i n g but
such a m e e t i n g was u n d e s i r a b l e .
i"
took the view
I t was p o s s i b l e ,
p r e s s u r e w e r e brought on t h e
Ambassador t o drop t h i s m e e t i n g he might
a g a i n s t meeting"' w h i c h w e r e l i k e l y
protesting
aggressor
The r e p l y ,
that
British
policy
and t h a t A b y s s i n i a
and m i g h t i n j u r e
w i t h h i s c o u n t r y , but
a
free
country.
backing.
feeling
League o f N a t i o n s
e x e r c i s e o f the r i g h t s of
the
Grandi's
friendly
would, not produce such d e m o n s t r a t i o n s
the ordinary
place
should have our
m e e t i n g might produce d e m o n s t r a t i o n s o f
of
protest
to take
Signor
that
Italian
ought not. t o a s s i s t
h o w e v e r , would be t h a t
were undesirable
should
which
relations
meeting­
and was p a r t
citizens
of
in a
A f t er a snort discussion
—
The Ministers approved the line proposed
by the ^oine Secretary and invited him to
see Signor Grandi himself and explain why
the Government took the view that the.
proposed. m e e t i n g was und esirahle .
("he Ministers agreed that it was
unnecessary to raise the point at
the Cabinet.)
Whitehall Gardens, S . Y . 1 ,
December 1 6 , 193 ,
K
P FE
A
N D I
X.
DRAFT QP STATEMENT TO BE MADE BY MR. EDEN
AT GENEVA.
L a s t November, as my c o l l e a g u e s w i l l
recall,
when the C o - o r d i n a t i o n Committee a g r e e d upon
s a n c t i o n s w h i c h a r e now i n f o r c e ,
the same t i m e , a p p r o v e d a l l
it
specifically,
attempts to
d i s c u s s i o n b e t w e e n the two p a r t i e s
to this
such a b a s i s .
f o r w a r d must be a c c e p t a b l e
dispute, Abyssinia,
It
from
that
I t was, however,
t h a t any p r o p o s a l s which t h e s e
is
bound t o r e s p e c t ,
all
essential
His
should
recognised
two Governments put
I t a l y and t h e
clearly
the L e a g u e ,
to
of
dispute;
Government and t h e French Government
seek t o f i n d
at
find a basis
and i t p a r t i c u l a r l y welcomed t h e s u g g e s t i o n
Majesty's
certain
three parties
to the
League.
that approval
For the Members o f
should come
t h e League
are
and t o do t h e i r utmost t o a p p l y
the
Covenant.
I t was no easy tasit which the two Governments
undertook,
and, so f a r
as His M a j e s t y ' s
c o n c e r n e d we had no i l l u s i o n
Indeed, i t
may w e l l
be m a i n t a i n e d t h a t
t o be a t t h e p r e s e n t
impossible
wishes
of
task.
as t o i t s
juncture
Government
are
difficulty.
i t has
proved
of e v e n t s an a l m o s t
B u t , as I have s a i d , w i t h the g o o d
t h e Committee t h e two Governments made t h e
attempt.
I t was p r o p e r t h a t t h e a t t e m p t
however i n v i d i o u s
Even i f
this
right,
not
conciliation
recognised.
even i f
availed.
t h o s e who had t o make
a t t e m p t has been u n s u c c e s s f u l
importance of
frequently
the t a s k o f
s h o u l d be made,
the
it.
essential
r e m a i n s , as the League has
The p r i n c i p l e
its application
in t h i s
t h e r e f o r e was
instance
has
I t must "be emphasised t h a t t h e P a r i s
proposals
w h i c h were put f o r w a r d l a s t week were not advanced as
proposals
t o he i n s i s t e d on i n any e v e n t .
They were
advanced i n o r d e r t o a s c e r t a i n what the v i e w s of
the
t h r e e p a r t i e s m i g h t he upon them, and H i s
Majesty's
purpose.
Government recommend them o n l y f o r
If,
therefore,
it
transpires
that
p r o p o s a l s which a r e no?/ b e f o r e you do n o t
the e s s e n t i a l
Government c o u l d n o t
t o recommend or s u p p o r t them.
particular
attempt
Majesty's
pursue i t
Government f o r
further.
three
continue
I n t h e i r minds
at c o n c i l i a t i o n
r e g a r d e d as h a v i n g a c h i e v e d i t s
these
satisfy
c o n d i t i o n o f agreement by t h e
p a r t i e s , His M a j e s t y ' s
this
this
c o u l d not then he
object,
and H i s
t h e i r p a r t would not wish
to