NAVAL TREATY

PLAINT TO BRITAIN the basis removed OPPOSITION ALLEGED EXPRESSION OF REGRET By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April 21), 32.35 a.m.) LONDON, April 2S In the course of his speech Herr Hitler announced that he was communicating with Britain to say that the basis of the Anglo-German Naval Treaty had been removed. "My original proposal for a voluntary restriction of naval, armaments, he said, "was based on the will and conviction that a war between Britain and Germany was impossible. This will and conviction are alive in me to-day, but England's policy, official and unofficial, leaves no doubt that that conviction is not shared in London. "On the contrary, the opinion prevails that no matter what conflict in which Germany may some day be engaged, Britain will always have the side against the Reich.

"I profoundly regret such a development, for the only claim I ever made, and shall make, against England, is for a return of colonies. I have already made it clear that this will never be a cause for military conflict. "Since England holds the view that Germany should be opposed in all circumstances and confirms this by the policy of encirclement, the basis of the naval treaty has been removed, but if Britain wishes to re-enter negotiations, none will be happier than I at the prospect of a clear and straightforward understanding. I have never left room for doubt of my belief that the existence of the British Empire is of inestimable value to the whole of human cultural and economic life." No Military Importance

Denunciation of the naval agreement was not a matter of military importance but an action of self-respect, said Herr Hitler, and addod: "1 still hope to avoid an armaments race with England." Herr Hitler disclosed that he had made ai definite offer to Poland that Danzig should become a free State within the framework of the Reich. Als a result of Poland's rejection of this proposal he regarded the GermanPolish treaty as being no longer in existence. Referring to allegations that there had 1 been a mobilisation of troops against Poland, Herr Hitler said that lie, like others, had come to the conclusion that the problems existing between Germany and Poland could be solved without resort to war. They could have been solved without resort to any treaty except that existing between the two countries.

Corridor and Danzig In the interests of European peace, he was doing everything in his power toivard a pacific solution regarding the Polish Corridor and the free city of Danzig. Germany needed a pathway to her province of East Prussia. This had no military significance and if the magicians of Versailles had realised it, they would have sought a solution agreeable to Germany. There wore three prerequisites to a solution of the present problem. Firstly, Germany must have a pathway to East Prussia; secondly, Danzig must be German; and thirdly, the Polish Corridor must be finally and completely re-established. Peace Pact Rejected He had made these suggestions to the Polish Government, but it had declined to accede to them. He was sorry to find that his proposed 25 year peace pact had been rejected by Poland, whose decision he could not understand. The proposals had been made as a genuine effort to solve the problem for the mutual benefit oi both countries, but Poland's bargain with Franco and .Britain, based on the previous FrancoPolish agreement, had violated' his pact with Poland ensuring 10 years' peace. There had been no changes in his sentiments regarding European peace. If Poland desired to make a new treaty, he would welcome the opportunity of doing so with open arms.

AMERICA'S ATTITUDE IGNORING THE SPEECH WASHINGTON, April 27 The United States Government will officially ignore Herr Hitler's speech to-morrow. It takes the attitude that whatever i't may contain it will not be an official reply to President Roosevelt. » It is felt that only a specific message addressed to White House, and not a mere declaration to the Reichstag, would be considered to be a reply.

FRANCE THANKS BRITAIN LONDON, April 27 The French Foreign Minister, M. Bonnet, expressed to Sir Eric Pliipps, British Ambassador to France, the thanks of that country for Britain's adoption of conscription, says a message from Paris.