I believe that we shall find the real clue to the way out of the difficulties in which we are involved by the Spanish Crisis, not in expediency, not in the miserable sort of stuff which we have to listen to at present about this so-called blockade of Bilbao, but in holding fast to the principles of international law and adherence to our signature to the Covenant of the League of Nations.

Our confidence has been sapped by the proceedings of the Admiralty in This Spanish Crisis - by the paper blockade of Bilbao, the failure toprotect British shipping, the failure to afford legitimate aid to our old allies the Basques, and the readiness of the Government to act on partial and unverified information.