- ....We [the Loyalists] are fighting with sticks and knives against tanks and aircraft and guns, and it revolts the conscience of the world that that should be true. We must have arms. Help us to buy them somewhere in the world [8]... Is it too much to ask that in this fight against the Fascisms of the world, the democracies shall allow us to buy the arms we need to fight this battle, which we are certain we can win for democracy and for the peace of the world. [9]
In his speech, he cited seven instances of German or Italian violation of the Non-Intervention Pact since early September. [10] Next, Señora de Palencia, [who spoke flawless English as she was half-Scottish], gave an emotional speech:
- ....But let me tell you, if you wish this atrocious war to end soon come and help us as you have been asked, whenever you can. Think of the difference in the price of lives of two months to one year. Think of the precious gift that is being wasted---- of the lives of our youth. Do not tarry. Now you know the truth. Now you know what the situation is. Come and help us. Come and help us. Scotsmen, ye ken noo !! [emphasis mine]. [11]
The two speeches moved the conference. It immediately directed Attlee and Greenwood, the Parliamentary leaders, to go immediately to London and confer with the National Government over the problem. [12] As more and more evidence of Italian and German aggression became available in October, the Labour Party reconsidered its position regarding non-intervention. On October 29, 1936, Attlee stated this shift in a major Parliamentary debate over Spain, criticizing the non-intervention policy as
- ... something that is quite abnormal. One reads in the newspapers statements as if we [the Labour Party] were clamouring for intervention, and that we were asking for interference in the affairs of another country. Quite the contrary. What we are asking is that there should be a restoration of normal international relations [to the legitimate Spanish Government: the Loyalists]... [13]
He then stated the general Labour Party position on foreign policy and attacked the Government:
- ....We want to stand by democracy. But what do we see? We see a steady retreat by democracies, a surrender of liberty and democracy to every threat. That is not the way of safety for this country. [14]
He advocated collective security, and said that "In the last few years we have seen democracies waning because they have not stood together." [15] He also denounced the Government's foreign policy as one that had led to "... a world in anarchy." [16]
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