Evening star., 1938-12-13
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, Dec. 13.-Prime Min
lister Chamberlain declined today to
give the specific assurance that he
would get the approval of the House
of Commons before opening any
negotiations with Germany over the
return of former German colonies.
Asked by Duncan Sandys, Con-
servative, for such assurance, Cham
berlain replied, mo, do not think
can undertake it,"
The Prime Minister then referred
to previous government pledge
made by Malcolm Macdonald sec
retary for colonies and dominions,
that any colonial agreement would
be submitted to Parliament for rati-
fication
Macdonald also told the House of
Commons last week that the CO.
lonial question was not one of prac-
tical politics now and was not being
considered.
Without Formal Demand.
Chamberlain said yesterday Ger
many had made no formal demand
for her former colonies.
The Marques of Londonderry
once leading advocate of British
German friendship, but recently
critic of anti-Jewish violence in
Germany, declared before the Over
seas League that the British govern
ment should state quickly and fully
its stand on colonies.
1--WE are determined not to sacrifice
one individual or one inch of ter
ritory and we will accept with its
full implications any challenge to
that policy" he said.
Il believe this should be said in
no uncertain terms, but I am not
thinking that it will be necessary
to take any drastic steps in relation
to it."
Chamberlain Speaks Today.
A new 30-day whirlwind appease-
ment drive to settle Europe's out
standing differences took shape
today, with Chamberlain in a key
role and the possibility of German
designs upon Lithuanian Memel one
major problem.
His speech tat 4:40 pm. E. S. TD
before the Foreign Press Association
tonight held attention of the diplo-
matte world, which expected a COM
plete outline of British foreign
policy and an indication what the
premier intended doing from today
until January IA when he ends a
visit to Premier Mussolini in Rome
Prominent Guest List.
The Importance of the speech, on
the associations 50th anniversary
was indicated by the guest list,
which included most of the British
cabinet ministers, leading Ambas-
sadors and Ministers and $50 for
eign correspondents representing 35
countries.
Chancellor Hitler sent Gottfried
Aschmann, head of the German for
elgn press department., as repre-
sentative. The Ambassadors included
those from Belgium, Brazil, France,
Germany, Italy, Poland and Soviet
Russia.
Chamberlain was expected to en-
large upon the governments attitude
toward Memel and maN discuss the
British position toward military as
sistance for France, political-eco-
nomic agreement with Germany and
political understanding with Italy.
In the House of Commons yeSter-
day the Premier spoke of French
British concern over the prospect
of German gestures toward Memel,
former German territory, but no
political informant thought it like
ly British action now would go be-
yond the concern" stage.
ClarificatiOn Urged.
Uneasiness however, was displayed
over Chamberlain reference to
military assistance for France, and
there were many who urged clarifi-
cation of his assertion Britain had
no pact or treaty specifically re-
quiring her to aid France against
Italy.
The assertion answered questions
relating to the Italian propaganda
campaign for French territory.
Chamberlain previously has said
without qualification that Britain
would aid France against unpro-
voked aggression.
The opening wedge in settlement
OF Immediate major differences with
(See CHAMBERLAIN. Page A-5.)