Evening star., 1944-12-06
Eden Claims Rioht
To Help Set Up
Foreign Regimes
BY the Associated Press.

retary Anthony Eden today as
serted bluntly that Britain was
within her rights in trying to
shape the governments of liber-
ated countries, and thereby split
completely with the American
declaration of a "hands-off" pol
/ icy in Italy.
Mr.. Eden stood by the British
governments veto of the proposed
appointment of Count Carlo Sforza
as Italian Foreign Minister. Secre-
tary of State Stettinius had an
nounced yesterday the United States
did not oppose Count Sforza and felt
the Italians should be allowed to
form their own government with
out outside interference.
Mr.. Eden's stand-clearly of sig
niflcance in the reshaping of a post
war Europe-brought divided senti-
ment in the House of Commons.
Cries of no" met a suggestion by
Ivor Thomas, Laborite. that Britain
Withdraw gracefully" and admit
that "a blunder has been made"
Claims Right to Opinion.
Just as Mr.. Stettinius implied
that his no-interference" statement
was a far broader declaration than
the immediate issue of Count Sforza
so Mr.. Eden apparently applied his
uTnrlc fo tho fy,t ~ nl1 ~ .,
Europe.
Il must repeat to the House that
I maintain the British government
has a perfect right to express an
opinion to another government
about a minister under conditions
such as these" Mr.. Eden said.
Count SforZa was minister without
portfolio in the italian government
which resigned 10 days ago, and Mr..
Eden said Britain did not oppose
his holding job other than that
Of Foreign Minister Ivanoe Bo-
nomi. who once resigned as Italian
Premier, still is trying to form a
new government.
AiAS III Aeioll PtCoS SOltllllClltcG
sharply on the American note. 1t
was rude and meant to be so, the
Manchester Guardian said. The
Yorkshire Post said it smacked of
self elf-righteousness.
Revised Up to Last Minute.
When Laborite member Thomas
asked whether the British govern
ments views were being modified in
the light of the American statement
in favor of a hands-off policy In
Italy. Mr.. Eden replied:
Il can assure you that my answers
are revised up to the very last
minute"
The House laughed.
Il explained the attitude of the
British government in my statement
of December l." Mr. Eden said. The
statement subsequently issued by
Signor Bonomi in no way modifies
the views of his majesty's govern
ment.'
Mr.. Eden said on December l that
the British did not feel Count
Sforza would be particularly happy
choice as Foreign Minister" and ac-
cused Sforza OF working against the
Italian government of Prime Minis
ter Bonomi, who was cooperating
with Britain. Bonomi later denied
Sforza had worked against him and
said he felt Mr.. Eden meant the
Badoglio government instead.
Question on BOnomi.
do you seriously mean to MAIN
tain the attitude that Count Sforza
has worked against Signor Bonomi
when Signor Bonomi says that that
is not SOP" asked Sir Richard Ac-
land, leader of he left-wing Com
monwealth party.
Il have said what our position is, u
Mr. Eden replied. II have nothing to
add"
Laborite G. r. Strauss asked Mr..
Eden whether Britain had taken
her position without consultation
with other Allied governments. He
said he wished to know also how the
foreign secretary could reconcile it
with Bonomi's complete denial"
"As regards the first part of the
question:" Mr.. Eden replied, per
haps you will be good enough to
await question I am going to
answer in moment or two about
other governments.
GAS regards Signor Bonomi's
statement-he said Count Sforza
and I are old friends and even
when We have disagreed on any
particular question I have never had
reason to doubt his personal friend
ship to me- That would almost ap-
ply to Mr.. Strauss and myself"
The discussion was broadened tc