The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-12-20
SEVEN NATIONS
ASKED TO AID
WITH ARMS
Sensational Decision
Has London Again
For Oil Embargo

Continued from Page ~
possible war with Italy in which
he said:
"We had no fear whatever,
IS a nation, against any Italian
threat. Whatever Italy's con-
duct, we should retaliate. Judg-
ing from past history, we would
retaliate with full success"
The nations sounded out include
France, YugoSlavia, Spain, Portu-
gal, Turkey, Greece and Iraq.
Diplomatic circles feel that the
others will follow the leadership
of France, and that France, with
the peace attempt buried, will re-
vert to an attempt to save the
League and thus line up with
Britain.
The new move was outlined, in
one form or another, in most OF
the speeches delivered in the
House of Commons yesterday.
It is, in effect, showdown on
whether collective action is posi-
BILE. It is step toward the more
practical and less unwieldly pro-
cedure of getting a promise of mill
tary support from only the powers
with greatest interests in the Medl-
terranean, a procedure preferred
to trying for assurances OF such
support from the entire League.
Must Act at Once
Britain wants more than mere
promises of military support in
case Italy starts something" She
wants the promising nations to be
ready to act Immediately. Hence
the suggestion for mobilization.
Promises had been given in the
past.
I'VE had from the powers we
asked, and from France in par
ticular, the most complete and
loyal assurances that they
would come to our aid If we
were attacked by Italy"
Chancellor of the EXchequer
Neville Chamberlain told this to
the Commons yesterday.
However, Britain feels these ma
tions were not ready to fulfill
their promises. 1t was recalled
that France, whose promise OF
naval support in the Mediter-
ranean was of utmost importance
to Britain, had said only a few
days ago that it would take her
two weeks to get ready to fight.
Can't Stand Delay
Such a two weeks delay would
be disastrous for Britain. Britain
is driving home the point that
other Mediterranean nations must
be ready to fight on a moments
notice, even as she is.
Keynote of the new British
policy was sounded by Chamber
lain yesterday. He said:
"MuSsOlini'S statement that
he would regard oil sanctions as
an act of war need not neces-
sariIy retard the imposition Of
an oil embargo against Italy.
IF the League should decide
on its application, and that it
would be effective: and we
should be satisfied that all
League members are not only
ready to give assurances, but
are ready to take their part in
meeting an attack, which might
be sudden and unexpected, we,
too, are prepared to play our
part and agree to the imposition
of oil sanctions"
Presses Oil EMBARGO
With today's development, Brit
ain once more takes the lead in OPP
posing Premier Mussilinl's war
against Ethiopia. She is pressing
for application of an oil embargo,
generally regarded as the one
peaceful" thing capable of halt
ing II Duce, despite the bold
warning from Rome that it would
be regarded there as an act OF
war "to be answered by an act
Of war"
Public opinion stands as the
main factor responsible for the
new policy. 1t was this, and moth
ing else, which brought the about
face by the British government
after it had approved the sensa-
tional Hoare-Laval peace proposals.
The Government admitted its
error in Commons yesterday. AID
today plunges on the strong
course of going the limit to up
hold the League covenant as it
applies against a declared ag,
greSSor.
Britain so far has not indicated
she will act alone. She wants
others to be ready to help, She
wants any action to be the much
talked-of collective action.
And, as Sir Samuel Hoare said,
Britain is not afraid Of falling.