GERMANY ARMING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 137, 22 March 1935, Page 5

GERMANY ARMING

FRANCE SENDS A NOTE. . \ A STRONG PROTEST LODGED. DELIBERATELY COMPROMISED. CAUSE OF THE WORLD UNREST. RESPONSIBILITY ON BERLIN. (United Press Association-Copyright). (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) PARIS, March 21. The French Note to Germany says that Germany, after accepting an invitation to discuss the Franco-Bntish proposals, deliberately compromised the possibility of successful negotiation. France places on Germany the responsibility for world unrest and the possible consequences thereof. FRENCH NOTE TO LEAGUE. '

MEETING OP COUNCIL DESIRED. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) GENEVA, March 21. The French Note to the League of nations requests that the Council discuss Germany’s decisions regarding conscription and air force, which deliberately repudiate Germany s obligations under the Treaty.. The Note points out that Germany remains a member until October 21, when the two years’ notice of withdrawal expires. „ , A meeting of the Council probably will be convened early in April. '-V * y STRONG PROTEST BY ITALY. UTMOST RESERVE MAINTAINED. f (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) ROME, March 21. The Italian Note strongly protests against Germany’s revocation of the Treaty of Versailles. It adds that the Government maintains the utmost reserve regarding Germany's decision and the probable developments thereof. explanations rejected. ACTUAL POSITION NOT STATED. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) BERLIN, March 21. The Foreign Minister (Baron Von Neurath) notified the French Ambassa,dor that Germany rejected the explanation accompanying the French Note because “it did not take into account the actual position.” Baron Von Neurath similarly rejected the explanation with the Italian Note.

AN HISTORIC SPEECH, i FRENCH PREMIER’S FRANKNESS PARIS, March 20. M. Flandin’s speech on German armaments is regarded as an historic one and certainly was characterised by fearlessness and frankness. He traversed .Herr Hfitler’s declaration which accompanied the conscription edict point by point, and said that FrancoGerman reconciliation could not be based on a travesty of truth and a negation of law and justice. It was untrue, M. Flandin continues, that the German people had laid down their arms after a war which they had not wanted. The world’s judgment on the responsibility for unchaining that war had been given long ago, while, if the German people had laid down their arms, it was because a coalition of nations fighting for the right was victorious, as it would be victorious in the future. Those passages were received with loud cheers. Declaring it was untrue that Germany had fulfilled her obligations under the Treaty of Versailles, M. Flandin declared that modifications of treaties were possible but only within a framework of legality. “France hates war,” he said, “and all measures for the maintenance of peace will be taken. The Government will not cease its efforts to group round itself a powerful block of States which have preserved the same ideals as ourselves. Let us rotemper and recreate the national soul and re-establish unity. “Do not doubt that France has near her a whole train of nations who will join her in an hour of danger.” FAIRNESS OF THE TREATY, QUESTION RAISED IN ENGLAND. LONDON, March 21. Referring to Germany's reported desire to resume her place in the League of Nations, the “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says: “The idea that a country can withdraw from the League, violate its obligations and then resume its place as though nothing had happened is nowhere held to be admissible. “Herr Hitler will certainly be advised that if Germany sincerely desire:? to co-operate in the work of the League, she should first show willingness to negotiate a general settlement on the basis of the London declaration.” * “The Times” says: “It is agreed

that the general object of European policy is to bring Germany back to the League, but nothing could be better calculated to prevent her return than to indict her before the Council. Moreover, the Council can no more than declare what everybody knows, that Germany has violated the Treaty of Versailles.

“The real question is whether Germany in the last 15 years has had a square deal and whether the Treaty itself is in all respects a fair one. “That question cannot be answered by any arbitration court in the world. “The only result of arraigning Germany must be to give the League in German eyes an appearance more than ever of anti-German association and to render more difficult the eventual approach to the League by Herr Hitler/’ The Rome correspondent of “The Times” says :* “Italy, it is officially stated, ‘sees no reason for opposing the French appeal to the League or the French Note to Berlin,’ but it is not yet known whether Italy will also send a Note of protest.”

BRITISH MINISTER'S VISITS.

PURELY EXPLORATORY

LONDON, March 20.

In the House of Commons, Sir John Simon, replying to a question, said that the visits to European capitals were purely exploratory. A discussion between representatives of the French, British and Italian Governments will take place in Paris on Saturday. Mr Eden will represent the British Government at these conversations and Italy will be represented by Signor Suvitch. Questioned regarding his Moscow visit, Mr Eden said it was being paid in response to the Soviet Government’s invitation. The conversations would be mainly concerned with questions arising out of the political situation in Europe.—British Official Wireless.