The return of Sir Samuel Hoare to the Cabinet as
First Lord of the Admiralty in succession to Lord Monsen, though it is still only a newspaper rumour, is regarded as a certainty. It is believed that the announcement will be made during the Whitson recess. Members are speculating what will be the relations between Sir Samuel Hoare and Mr. Eden in the Cabinet when Sir Samuel has to make himself responsible for the movements of the Fleet which will be dictated by the Foreign Policy of Mr. Eden. But the exile's return will not encounter any very serious opposition in the Government ranks. Events have undoubtedly played into his hands. The triumphs of Italy in Abyssinia have induced an unfortunate spirit of defeatism among the Government supporters. It is regarded as certain that the League Council will never consent to the imposition of more stringent sanctions, and all the talk in the lobbies and smoking-rooms is centred round "- the reform of the League," or in other words, the decent burial of Article XVI.
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