Page:Paul Samuel Reinsch - Secret Diplomacy, How Far Can It Be Eliminated? - 1922.djvu/200



kind was the motion made in March, 1918, in the House of Commons, the opposition to which by Mr. Balfour has already been alluded to. That he should object particularly to the prying into foreign affairs on the part of persons "not re- sponsible," and by "politicians," that the pro- posed committee of the House of Commons should be thus characterized, throws light on the preju- dices involved; but it also reveals the absurdity of the present arrangement from the point of view of free government. In France there has existed, since 1902, a standing committee on foreign and colonial affairs in the Chamber of Deputies.

When he was premier, in 1920, Signor Giolliti introduced a bill carrying the following provi- sion: "Treaties and International understand- ings, whatever be their subject and character, are valid only after they have been approved by Par- liament. The Government of the King can de- clare war only with the approval of the two Cham- bers." The ministry of Giolliti fell before this sound measure could be passed.

It may be questioned whether many of the ar- rangements suggested could be more than pallia- tives, as long as an intelligent and constant pub- lic interest in foreign affairs has not been aroused, and as long as the absolutist aspect of foreign