765.84/3094: Telegram
The Ambassador in Frame (Straus) to the Secretary of State
1050. When the discussion on the budget reached the credits for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Chamber this morning the Premier delivered a brief declaration in justification of the Hoare-Laval proposals. This declaration which was subjected to violent interruption from the Left was fairly well received but in the opinion of experienced observers has done little to help clear the atmosphere.
Following Laval’s declaration Blum, the Socialist leader, pressed for an interpellation on foreign policy to which the Premier replied that he would put the question of confidence on the postponement of this interpellation to December 27th. Due to the lateness of the hour it was agreed that the Chamber on reconvening this afternoon would decide when the debate shall take place. It is now understood that the Socialists and Radical Socialists are pressing for December 20 as against December 27 as suggested by Laval. The vote of confidence this afternoon therefore will be on the question of procedure and not upon the substance of the interpellation.
Laval in his declaration stated that the respect of France for the Covenant had from the beginning been shown not only in words but by deeds and that everything possible had been done to prevent war. When war had been declared France had put to work in Geneva the mechanism of collective security. Sanctions were not the only method of preventing hostilities. It was also within the letter and the spirit of the Covenant to seek as rapidly as possible a peaceful solution. On the question of sanctions even before the declaration of hostilities France had been in accord with the British Government (1) not to apply military sanctions and (2) not to adopt any measures which might lead to a naval blockade. In other words all measures had been taken which might avoid any extension of the Italo-Ethiopian conflict in Europe. He had rallied to the British thesis so as not to permit any weakening of a collaboration which insofar as France was concerned was an essential element of security. He then proceeded to a recapitulation of the efforts France had made since last August to bring about a settlement of the conflict and justified the plan which he had drawn up in complete agreement with Sir Samuel Hoare. This telegram had been communicated to the Italian and Ethiopian Governments and was known in Geneva. He had never pretended that the suggestions in this plan should be imposed upon either of the belligerents. The initiative had been taken through a desire definitely expressed by states members of the League on November 2 for France [Page 715] and Great Britain to continue their efforts of conciliation. The moment had now come when the possibility for the adoption of new measures could be foreseen. He spoke in the name of a country which respected its engagements and which according to the terms of paragraph 3 of article 16 of the Covenant might even be brought into war.
There had been talk of “premium on aggression” but France had only collaborated in drawing up a plan and had not participated in any decision. In so doing she had fully collaborated with the League of Nations and it was the League which would eventually have to decide.
Did the Chamber desire France to have recourse to the full and brutal application of all sanctions? Did it wish to reconsider the Geneva decisions which never provided for anything but sanctions of an economic character? He concluded by affirming that France would remain with the spirit of the Covenant and it was with a desire to avoid the possibility of hostilities that he had proposed formulae which might lead to a peaceful and honorable settlement of the conflict, a solution incidentally which would bear the approval by the League.
The vote of confidence on the question of procedure has just been concluded and Laval carried the day by 304 votes to 252. In a brief statement prior to the casting of the vote he announced that he would rather resign from office than to proceed to Geneva tonight with any other policy than that which he had advocated this morning. The debate on foreign policy will therefore definitely take place on December the 27th. At the rate at which the budget debate is progressing it appears possible, barring unforeseen complications that it may be passed in the Chamber within the next few days.
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