Morrison Pleads for a Strong League as Bulwark of Peace
Morrison, Herbert
Morrison Pleads for a Strong League as Bulwark of Peace Asks for American Cooperation Urges More Effective International Action to Maintain Peace-Demands Economic Sanctions Against Italy and Hits...
...Our-British isolationists and milk-and-water, friends of the leapt criticize the League on the ground that it is incomplete...
...Ton, have no interest in low-down European rivahies aad old-time diplomacy...
...What about the somewhat mysterious conversation between France, Italy and Britain at Stress...
...Vesf^th*^!^^ tional German Governmeas u many people are now willing* St towards the Nazi Govimasg, this cruel dictatorship wensMMft have triumphed...
...Secondly, a policy of isolation can be anti-social...
...And they add that Italy is in but not Of the League, for it is defying its own signed obligations to the League...
...Some of us believe, however, that your ' Government would in fact have co-operated economically and1 if Europe had enforced oil sanctions in the- cause of peace,¦ the United State* - Government -weulS not have let Europe down...
...The members of the Sejgnan Reichstag had little to say in this matter...
...Second, the Covenant bound the nations to settle their disputes by arbitration instead of war, and defined as an aggressor the nation that went to war without having utilized the peace organization of the League...
...I cart only say that I, as a fervent friend of world peace,- wish the United States would come into the League...
...But they say that in contemplating given .proposals the League is embarrassed by net knowing whether-your Government will co-operate or not And, you know, that's true...
...It was, perhaps, the only good thing ffiat came out of the dreadful slaughter of 1914-1918...
...But has it worked out that way...
...If Germany returns she should return as a good citizen of the world...
...Germany baa expressed a willingness to return, subject to certain indicated conditions...
...The idea expressed by Premier BatileHl has a long history...
...Whilst British Labor welcomed in general the speech of Sir Samuel Hoare—the British Foreign Secretary—at Geneva in September, 1935, in which he stated that Britain was ready, in association with the other League powers, to implement the Covenant against the aggressor, we considered the declaration to be shamefully late and that it would have been infinitely more effective twelve or even six months before...
...Crime of Versailles But there is real sympathy in my country for the German people...
...His treatment of international law is en a par with his treatment of the .German constitution, and he will respect the treaties he is offering, to Europe about as much as he respected Ida agreements with Hinden-burg, Papan, Schleicher, the German Nationalists, the Stahlhelm and the Centrists...
...Just a word as to Germany and Japan being outside the League...
...In the first piece, the interdependence of nations today makes it impossible...
...We need only sug Bast to Mr...
...That doesn't help the League or world peace...
...The World War shattered tins hope...
...she must honor her signature...
...Without their victory peace cannot be saved...
...For equality has its duties as well as its rights...
...to declared it...
...A Savage Plea But let me turn to Europe...
...By what right can Englishmen and Frenchmen expect any better treatment from Hitler than the treatment he has accorded to Germans...
...They call i+ half a League...
...Tg...
...Peace Pacts vtan the League...
...And the lesson to that dictator would have been a lesson to another dictator...
...The structure' diffnrfnrmi which constituted th< obstacle to real friendship before the war have been revived, and ir much sharper form...
...Indeed, had it been made in good time it would probably have prevented the war altogether, and in that case a valuable triumph for the League would have been won...
...The great :h*nce for conciliation was missed...
...A HoiftMsBei It mast beTeaembered that the Lessga* of Wstions » <** associated governments make it and that the governments m turn are what the peoples makr tirnw For even dictatorship governments are the result of the active desire, the ignorance and the acquiescence of the people:;t When the people of Fascist states evolve such a degree,** 4p?tieat aetf-reapect that they really want to govern themselves instead of being ordered about, they will do so...
...They brought abo'ut the Berne parliamentary conferences, attended regularly by members __pf the -Fbssnli Chamber of Deputies and the German Reichstag for the purpose ef promoting Franco-German friendship...
...The British people are now conscious of the crime of Versailles...
...Let us convert coUstllW security from a politician's stone into a thing ef substance, tot a evolve the technique of pea©* W us elaborate the posit rv* organmmanent peace must be sezMi and not merely emotionally datjjsi For peace needs its GettemHSP no lees than war...
...I want to put it with great care and respect, for I know that yen are a proud people who win not be preached at by mo...
...The conclusion is that there can be no hope or salvation far Europe if it does net set its face against the evil spirit dominating the Germany of today...
...It is a troubled Europe I have'sfift, and in tittle more than a fortnight I shall return to a Europe that probably is still troubled.' ' I am...
...Later, this situation was improved...
...Regions* rate Pacts for a limited period ht» West with a view to eattpiW against the U.S.S.R...
...I can almost hear some ef my listeners saying: "Yes, Mr...
...The imperfection of the League does not constitute a ease for its abolition, bat rather far its reform, tea don* aboUs* your Constitution when you find yo^ahre* inconvenienced by it...
...The German people deserted the democracy, which hat boon unable to bring them eithe: a good peace or enduring economi< rehabilitation, and threw them sabres into the arms of anothe...
...that brings me to the present European situation...
...Toa have washed your hands of us...
...I can well understand year feelings.' I suggest, however, two reasons why, even if you persist in your disgust, it is impossible for yea to wash yoar hands of us...
...By Friedrich Stampfer Editor, Neure Voru-arts tsteca . DREMIER BALDWIN gave expression to an excellent idea" in" his speech in the House of Cbmmons on March 9. He expressed the wish for dose friendship and cooperaiton between England, France and Get** many as the only hope of the worM...
...First, its very establishment provided for an international platform on which, the statesmen would be forced publicly to appear...
...Perhaps the best way to get Japaz and Germany back into the League is to let these military and polic« dictatorships witness a strengthened and growing League, organized and powerful, overwhelming Ij ready in advance for all aggressors and disturbers of the peace...
...A German Socialist View of the International Situation — Friedrich Stampfer Warns France and England Against Placing Any Faith in Nazi Promises...
...The French deputies and the members of the British Parliament determined the foreign policies of their -oountries...
...At Versailles in 1919 a savage aad revengeful -peace was dictated by weary statesmen who pandered to :he worst emotions of their peoples loosened in the brief' hour of rejoicing and victory...
...Not content with wholesale breaches of the Covenant, to which Italy was a party, Signor Mussolini's Government has since added to the breach of its signed international obligations by disregarding the Red Cross and using poison gas...
...The sympathy of the United States Government, which is believed to have existed with the, League in this matter, greatly encouraged the friends of ordered peace in Britain, but our position would have been much strengthened had it been possible for the Administration to have declared firmly that the United States would be willing to enforce economic and financial sanctions . in co-operation with the League, even if it had made categorical reservations as to military sanctions...
...But the passions oi war were too strong to permit th< victors to utilize the great opportunity...
...It will remain, however, a tragedy that League action was not prompt and effective—and, as it would have been, successful—at the beginning...
...We are surely compelled, both by duty and interest, to render it habitable for orderly people...
...Why do I attach such importance to the League of Nations...
...Haaalaf Peace Well, it is for you to settle your obligations to humanity as a whole...
...y« Privilege...
...Most —|t*tv cally, No...
...a situatiot in which two major features predominate, namely, the.war of Italy upon Abyssinia, and the matters arising from Germany's unilateral repudiation of the Treaty of Locarno...
...told that yea have turned from Europe in disgust...
...Morrison Pleads for a Strong League as Bulwark of Peace Asks for American Cooperation Urges More Effective International Action to Maintain Peace-Demands Economic Sanctions Against Italy and Hits Nazi Dictatorship—Says Collective Security , Mast Be Objective of Labor Forces...
...Even bow, economic sanctions should be - made complete.' There should be an immediate response to Abyssinia's repeated appeals to the League fully to implement the Covenant...
...They point eat that three great Powers are outside the League—The United State* of America, Germany and Japan...
...Excellent ideas are seldom new...
...But thr damage -inflicted- upon the young Gin iniii democracy could not be repaired by the subsequent salutary- changes .in the policy of thr other nations...
...via try to reform it...
...Ill tell you...
...But the League haying declared Italy to be the aggressor, economic and financial sanctions should have been adequate, prompt and effective, for that would have been the best way to avoid any question of military sanctions...
...have taken no liberties aad tJatl have not broken the rules generous American hospttaHjr, 1 have said what I believed.and***" it wee in may heart to *Jpkj hope it will help you MJ0f efforts to understand your this muddled world of wbfie;* are all a part...
...That brings me to Herr Hitler and Germany...
...There is much em 1 would say...
...Morrison, that sounds all right...
...Germany v much further removed intellectually and morally from England ant France than she was before th* World War...
...Mussolini's War As to Japan, I would like to see her hack also, but en the same conditions...
...That must wait Jsr'*» lectures I am to deliver daring Sf short visit among you...
...Good...
...Unfortunately, they were at least ten years late in becoming so conscious...
...And...
...Even these...
...Much of the Treaty eft saihes is torn into sfarellfgH am going to weep no tears dhsfe many is not today anskwadto ta> the world's most powerful astajjs states When, therefore, -at?i right time we negotiate wttk$HL Hitler, we should be nn 1i i iffsdjS but strong, conscious °f tftfl wrongdoing but not sloppy jjjjs the present, perfectly wctHaggZ League but not willing to ass* the League by accepting newaS bers unless they accept .a'liK mental purpose, ''-'''f^a^H F^uaU...
...But a modern army also marches, flies, fights and has its equipment and supplies moved on oil...
...of the German democratic republic Thus were the structural differ ences and with them the main ob staile for the three-cornered friendship removed...
...True...
...Thus, while the nations must negotiate with Germany they cs—t negotiate with her present relemv ' On March 10, a National-Socialist mass meeting in Berlin hailed with wild applause the announcement by Goebbels that the "Fiih-rer" was already acknowledged by many foreigners as "Europe's most powerful man," and that he would aWa&^his objectives in Europe as |a|Sf Germany...
...Before we can erect the,future tri-cornered edifice of friendship, there meat be friendship and cooperation between decent, freedom-loving Englishmen aad Frenchmen aad decent, freedom-loving Germans, ttw Germans who are fighting for the future Germany...
...We outsiders cannot settle the matter for you and we should be fools to try...
...States dees co-operate with the League oa specific matters...
...It is not a pleasant thought for you and me that part of the oil that makes the bombing and the use" of poison gas against Abyssinian wmasu and children and the Red Cross possible is supplied from territory within the jurisdiction of your government and sane...
...There is a real readhmas to concede lull equality—if it does not already exist—to the great- Get-man nation as soon as the German government ef the Reich is ready to accept the responsibilities and duties - of equality...
...And although the League moved at last in the Italo-Abyssinian business, can it be said that its sanctions operation* have been prompt, adequate and effective f" Now, I concede at once that there is a good deal of truth in that line of argument...
...I regard your country as being a healthy influence for peace...
...I myself as a member of the British Labor Government of 1929-1931 have painful memories of the effect of year depression on my country and the fortunes of that Government...
...But we don't want to repeat the Italian situation...
...Those who eater into agreements with Hitler ere working wet for peace but for wart...
...Rightly, the League has . - ^ I...
...J *aj...
...League Traaedy An army, it has been said, marches on its stomach...
...The conclusion is that there must be another Germany...
...The structural differences between the western powers on one side and the Reich or the other, became one of the causes of the World War...
...Whether we like it or not, we are all members of this small world community...
...Private dissuasions and diplomatic exchanges would continue — indeed within proper limits would usefully continue—but, the big decisions of the League must be public decisions...
...One dictator would have Wen taught that whatever he may do at home, he cannot dictate to the world...
...or other esa-tries in the East...
...What about the Japanese in Manchuria...
...The swashbuckling imperialist militarism of Japan—now attacking China, now threatening the Soviet Union—is not healthy...
...Its cruelty to the Jews and its political and religious opponents has been condemned by all sections of public opinion in my country...
...You are as familiar as I with the consequences...
...In particular, oil sanctions, the most important of all, Were not and are not imposed...
...and she must drop the claim to be the sole judge in any dispute in which she is involved...
...Had the Allied Governments been as, kind to conetituToday the talk of poor, ated Germany is a little all date...
...There is no doubt that Italy's action against Abyssinia was aggressive...
...And there is another point that particularly concerns the great American people itself...
...Instead of supporting the young democracy to the fullest possible extent, they did everything to hurt it...
...critics admit that the Uaited...
...I would like to see your great Republic in the League standing up publicly and boldly for the planning of a decent and peaceful world...
...Unfertrmately, under the leadership of the government of my Own country and of France, the ¦economic and financial sanctions were inadequate, incomplete, lacking hi promptness and decision, and the two countries were in December shamed by the Hoare-Laval agreement...
...There is little or no sympathy in Britain for the German Nazi dictatorship...
...Moreover, we see that Nazi rule, like Italian Fascist rule, is an economic and social failure...
...pODAY I have arrived in Near] York from England...
...Baldwin whether he would advise his sovereign to be photographed together with Hitler to perceive the problem fax all its acuteness...
...By Herbert Morrison The follcwing is the evsas^sar text of an addrest, broadcast over a coost-to-cooM hook-up by ths distinguished spokesman, of tit* British Labor Party who has jam arrived in the United States for a lecture tear...
...However, from that dreary treaty there did emerge a new world instrument for the service of mankind'—the League of Nations...
...It -ems thus - intended to create a 'triangular fortress of peace" between London, Paris and Berlin, capable of standing up to any storms...
...The German Republic - The originators of this plan knew the difficulties before them...
...So I end...
...jB No Peace with Hitler...
...4^B Meantime, let us make the Lsbjb strong...
...autocracy, much worse than tb* ~Der Fwhrer" ;« It is too late now to regain the ¦loet • opportunity...
...It aras an inspiring moment when for the first time I came within sight of the shores of this great republic across the Atlantic...
...on the other became the creator...
...To give only one illustration, we may recall' the efforts of the French Socialist Albert Thomas, who subsequently became the chief of the International Labor office, and the Can nan Socialist Ludwig Frank...
...rUTure rnenasnip If it be tree that there must be negotiations with Germany, bat that ao negotiations are possible with this Germany, what is the conclusion...
...But having given the critics some points, let me ask them to concede me something...
...England and France were parliamentary democracies...
...Germany' tans an autocratic monarchy...
...Wilson understood this very well when he insisted upon the elimiration o* the autocracy in Germany...
...We can only add to this frankness the remart* that in the straggle for domination ef Europe the "Fuhrer" la utilizing the same means which he usee in Germany...
...The President of the United States or one side and the German -worker...
...Members of the British House of Commons were to have joined the conferences as soon as they bp came firmly established...
Vol. 19 • April 1936 • No. 16
