GERMANY'S CASE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 68, 20 March 1936, Page 9

GERMANY'S CASE

SPEECH BY RIBBENTROP

RHINE PACTS BROKEN BY FRANCE

THREAT OF THE FRANCO-SOVIET ALLIANCE

i(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

LONDON. March 19.

For the first lime since she walked out of the League, Germany attended a League Council meeting when Herr yon Ribbentrop, sturdy and self-possessed, entered the council chamber deep in conversation with Herr yon Schniieden and took the last seat but one on the extreme right of the horse-shoe table. . He talked for a few minutes with his fellow-German?, then rose and walked round the (able to shake hands with M. Flandin, French Foreign Minister, and Signor Grandi, Italian Ambassador, and then took a typewritten speech from a dispatch case. The atmosphere had not been so tense and expectant since the Council commenced its meetings. Spring sunshine flooded the room. * Mr. S. M. Bruce opened the session, and asked the delegates' consent for a photograph to be taken. Then he declared: "1 call upon the representative of Germany." who, remaining in his seat in accordance with League custom, spoke in rapid and distinct German. M. Flandin leaned back, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. Signor Grandi folded his arms on the table and his face was inscrutable. Mr. Eden made copious notes, and M. Li tv in off leaned carelessly forward, but was not less attentive than his fellow-delegates. M. Van Zeeland sat upright and alert. Herr yon Ribbenlrop spoke faster as he progressed, the entire speech occupying only 25 minutes. Confidence in Righteous Cause. Heir yon Ribbenlrop declared lhat Germany was attending the Council in an endeavour to contribute towards clearing the existing political situation. "I have undertaken my mission with real satisfaction, being fully convinced that the Council was never presented with a cause more righteous, and also hoping that this first resumption of relations between Germany and the League will mean a turning-point in the history of Europe after the manifold confusions of the post-war years," he said. "Locarno one of the most important and most populous portions of Germany without military protection. From the standpoint of higher justice such a limitation of Sovereign rights would in the long run prove an intolerable condition, yet Germany observed it, expecting that the other Locarno Powers would as faithfully observe their obligation. France, however, concluded the Franco-Soviet Pact, an alliance which is most serious for Germany because it brings together 275,000,000 people. The contracting Powers, each by themselves the strongest military Powers, are in an alliance exclusively directed against Germany. Russia, through a'similar alliance'with Czechoslovakia, has advanced her boundaries to the German frontier. France and Russia, in certain circumstances, themselves could name an aggressor without referring to the League, and could thus make war against Germany." Big German Disadvantage.

Herr yon Ribbentrop then launched a long legal dissertation aimed at proving that the clauses designed to bring the Franco-Soviet Pact into harmony with the League were invalid, and added that if the present situation had existed when the Locarno Treaty was signed it was imposible to believe that Germany would have undertaken the obligations of the pact. Germany at present was without military alliances, and would be at a terrible disadvantage in the event of trouble. Nevertheless she had accepted the Franco-Polish and Franco-Czecho-slovakian Treaties, but none could expect her to tolerate the FrancoSoviet Pact.

"The situation amounts to this," he proceeded. "In the event of any conflict between Germany and a third State France would be empowered to interfere according: to her own judgment. Germany would never have concluded the Rhine pacts had such views obtained at the time. The Franco-Soviet alliance constitutes a complete upsettingof the former European balance of power. It also sets aside the fundamental legal and political premises on which the Locarno

Treaty was concluded. Because France has failed Germany was compelled to reach equality in armaments in her own fashion.

"Germany maintains that the Franco-Soviet Treaty is contrary lo the European system of security laid down at Locarno, and that therefore the Rhine pads infringed by the unilateral action of Fiance are nullified. "The Only Possible Step." "Herr Hitler could not remain inactive1, especially as has held out- the hand of reconciliation to France on numerous occasions since he assumed' power. Yet all his offers of pacification have been refused. The whole of Germany hoped that the Franco-Soviet Pact woulcl not be ratified. Herr Hitler, conscious of his grave responsibility for Germany's destiny, took the only possible step and restored the full sovereignty of the Reich over the entire Reich, firstly because Ihe action of France invalidated the Rhine Pact, and secondly because the primitive rights of the nation for security over its own territory had to be restored without delay. Germany must therefore reject as incorrect the unjust accusation that she violated the Locarno Treaty. It is impossible to violate a treaty which is already null and void by the action of the other partner. I am convinced that every responsible statesman present who loves his people as Herr Hitler loves his would have acted in the same manner. Not a Matter for The Hague Court. "I must explain in the name of the German Government that if the accusation of unilateral action is raised Germany will be obliged to reject it, because it was not also raised against France. I will vnot discuss the important question whether it is possible to bring before The Hague Court the seppe of a clause such as Article 16 of the Covenant, which concerns our case. The problem has a political, in addition to a legal significance, on which decision could not be expected from a court of law, especially as The Hague Court is not merely a court of peace but a political institution. "Germany has been still less able lo clear up matters by negotiations with the Locarno Powers. Such attempts would never have led to a practical goal. The Locarno Powers, for reasons unknown to Germany, ignored all the German arguments, and Germany was therefore compelled to act. She has now re-established her sovereignty and achieved the long-desired equality. She is willing and ready to end the regrettable chapter of mistakes. A heavy political and spiritual burden has been removed from the German people, who now have only an upright wish lo live in peace and friendship with their neighbours and lo work for the reconstruction of the real solidarity of Europe." , Immediate Vote Asked For. It is understood that Herr yon Ribbentrop after his speech asked for a secret session of the Council to precede the public meeting, forcing an immediate vote, and not leaving the members of the Council sufficient lime to deliberate. He expressed surprise when the Council refused. Herr yon Ribbenlrop's move embarrassed Mr. Bruce, but M. Flandin came to the rescue and moved that the Council should be adjourned until the afternoon, saying that a vote could then be taken. "I am too courteous, even to the Germans, to impose an immediate vole," he added. ,• Members of the Council noted that Herr yon Ribbentrop persistently described the Franco-Soviet Pact as a Franco-Soviet military alliance. German circles emphasise that Herr yon Ribbentrop was in constant telephonic communication with Herr Hitler, and that his statement was made with the full backing and approval of the Chancellor. Resolution Rejected. After the Council had voted Herr yon Ribbentrop added that Germany rejected the resolution, from its innermost conviction that it was not Germany, but France, which had brought the treaty to nought. The German Government and the nation had a deep conviction that the resolution of the Council would-not be maintained in the judgment of history. . M. Flaudin said he would not have spoken but for Herr yon Ribbenlrop's remarks. France felt that by international law no one was able to judge in his own cause, lie wished lo solemnly reiterate that he was prepared, if Germany desired, to submit to The Hague Court a dispute which Herr yon Ribbentrop had seen fit to raise again. In opening the public session of the Council in the afternoon, the President (Mr. S. M. Bruce), speaking as representative for Australia, said he had listened attentively to Heir yon Ribbcntrop's statement, which, however, had not altered his view concerning his duty on the resolution, which he supported. The statements of the French and Belgian delegates had shown great moderation in face of the trying circumstances confronting the world.