Evening star., 1936-10-11
Britain and the Fascists
BY THE RIGHT HON. LORD sTRA-
BOLGI.

BOLGI.
IN URING the years between 1911
and 1914 a secret understand
ing was reached between the
British foreign office, on the
one hand, and the French cabinet and
war office, on the other hand, by
which Britain would 60 to the aid of
France in case Of war with Germany.
Only section of the British cabinet
was informed of this understanding
In the British system of government.
Of the 18 or 20 cabinet members, there
is always an inner circle of three or
four. This select inner group deals
with the major issues in advance. In
the Liberal government at that time
the inner circle which knew about the
French ALLIANCE" were Prime Minis
ter Asquith. Foreign Secretary Grey
and Minister Of War Haldane. Win
ston Churchill, then first lord of the
admiralty, knew something, but not
all.
Other important members Of the
cabinet. including Mr. Lloyd George,
then chancellor Of the exchequer;
Lord Morley, secretary of state for In
ria. and John Burns, were kept in en-
tire ignorance Of these commitments.
The permanent officials, particularly in
the foreign Office, knew all about it.
The majority of the cabinet was in
formed only on the very eve Of war
Unless the prime minister OF the
day is particularly forceful "a Glad
stone or a Lloyd George the per-
manent officials are the real rulers of
the country, checked only from time to
time by the politicians fear df public
opinion.
The inner circle in the British cab
met today consists Of Prime Minister
Baldwin. ex-Prime Minister Ramsay
Macdonald, Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer Neville Chamberlain and Lord
Chancellor Hailsham-all elderly men.
Young Mr.. Anthony Eden, foreign
secretary, is not in this charmed inner
ring. If he is wise. the prime minister
OF the day keeps the King and the i'm
mediate royal encourage informed Of
the most secret phases of foreign
policy, but he does not always do so.
Examples Of the workings of this
secret diplomacy and covert policy
were the notorious Hoare-Laval agree
ment for partitioning Ethiopia and
buying of Italy last Fall, and the de-
cision to remove sanctions after the
fall of Adds Ababa and the retire.
ment of the Negus from his country.
Inner Circle Always Knows.
In the first case only the prime min
lister, the chancellor of the exchequer,
Ramsay Macdonald and the then for
eign minister-Sir Samuel Hoare-
knew what was afoot; the cabinet as
whole was not consulted until the
secret was out. And it came out
through the indiscretion Of q French
newspaper editor.
In the sanctions case, the inner cir
Gle took their decisions without q full
meeting of the cabinet. Chancellor Of
the Exchequer Neville Chamberlain
clinched 1t by blurting out the govern
ment's intentions before the cabinet
as a whole And still less did Parlia-
ment have any inkling that decision
had been taken.
With the above explanation of the
real workings Of British policy thoSs
who can read the signs Alright find
considerable evidence that there Is a
secret understanding between impor-
tant personages in governing positions
In nyHdny, (hinh nfY7niol lc
and select coterie Of cabinet minis
ters, bankers, etc. and certain of
those who surround Herr Hitler and
have influence with him.
To appreciate why such an under
standing has been reached 1t must be
remembered that in Britain govern
ment Of the Right (that is, a Con-
servative, almost reactionary, govern
ment) is in power. Its natural SYM
pathies are with the Nazis. Fascists
and Militarists everywhere. The Right
politicians in France, now in opposition,
the leaders now in power in Germany,
Italy, Austria and Greece, would be
the normal collaborators with such a
government.
Yet, owing to past aHgnments, for
mer alliances and official membership
In the League Of Nations, the British
government as whole has been try
ing to work with governments of the
Left or Center-notably in France,
Russia, Czechoslovakia, Belgium and
the Scandinavian states.
Europe Dividing Into Two Groups.
Europe is rapidly dividing itself into
two groups. In one are Germany,
Italy, Austria and Hungary. If the
military movement succeeds in
Spain, Spain will join this group and
add considerably to its strategical
strength, especially as far as England
is concerned.
Not only would the use of the
Spanish harbors facing the Atlantic
in a possible war be of the greatest
value as cruiser and submarine bases
to any British enemy with fleet, but
the naval harbor of Gibraltar would
be useless, with a hostile Spain, be-
cause it is commanded by artillery
mounted among the hills of the Span
iSh hinterland.
Greece, under Gen. Metaxas, has
now Joined this group. The strategical
position of Greece in the Eastern
Mediterranean is Of great Importance.
Over against this group are Russia.
France, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia,
Rumania and the Scandinavian states.
Belgium Is doubtful, because her rulers
and government feel the increasing
weakness Of the Belgian position in
view of the German rearmament.
There Is q movement afoot in Belgium
to make terms with her German
neighbor. Poland Is in the same posi-
tion, but Is mortally afraid Of Russia.
Russia is becoming militarily strong
also. Up till recently Britain cooper
ated with this latter group through the
League Of Nations, but she Is now re-
garded in Paris, Moscow and Prague
as a doubtful quantity.
p What has happened?
Nominally, Britain Is a member OF
the League, is q democratic country
Oovory,ed l,v an e1ected Parliament