We have discussed in a leading article the reasons for
Lord Cecil's resignation. Here we need only summarize the Prime Minister's answer to Lord Cecil's minute. Mr. Baldwin says that Lord Cecil, having decided upon resignation, has exaggerated such differences as arose in the Cabinet. He evidently thinks that Lord Cecil has confused post hoc and propter hoc. He quotes from a statement which was made at Geneva on behalf of the Government when the Protocol was still being discussed. In that statement the Government declared the adhesion of the whole British Empire to the principles of arbi- tration and disarmament. He then reminds Lord Cecil that when the Preparatory Committee on Disarmament was about to meet, Lord Cecil himself presided over the Sub-Committee which prepared the British case and practically drafted the " instructions " for himself. As regards the Naval Limitation Conference between the United States, Great Britain and Japan, Mr. Baldwin of disarmament and indicate that further progress can the settlement with Turkey have all led to some measure gation was working hopefully for a compromise. He ends by declaring that he cannot share Lord Cecil's pessimism. The Washington Conference, Locarno, and says that up to the very last moment the British Dele- be made. 13331
