23 AUGUST 1935, Page 6

• I am sorry to see that Sir Austen Chamberlain

has left for the Continent. No one could for a moment grudge him a well-earned holiday, but his experience and support might be of the greatest value to the Government at this juncture. His speech in the House of Commons on July 11th was notable for its firm conclusion that " in the last resort we had got to take our position at the Council table at Geneva and say openly that we were prepared to fulfil our obligations under the Covenant, even at the risk that others might. refuse ; that much we owed to the honour of the British name." It is worth remembering that Mr. Eden served his apprentice- ship in foreign affairs as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Sir Austen when the latter was Foreign Minister.