WELCOME IN BERLIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 139, 25 March 1935, Page 5

WELCOME IN BERLIN

BRITISH MINISTERS ARRIVE. HUGE CROWDS IN STREETS. GUARDS PRESENT ARMS. (United Press Association—Copyright). (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) , BERLIN, March 24. A company of honour, composed of Black Guards, presented arms as Sir John Simon and Mr R. A. Eden alighted from an aeroplane on a gloomy afternoon at Tempelhof Aerodrome, over which the Union. Jack and German flags were flying. The British Ambassador (Sir Eric Phipps), the German Foreign Minister (Baron von Neurath) and other diplomats welcomed the visitors, who diroye to the British Embassy for afternoon tea. Thereafter the visitors went to Adlon Hotel.

The pressure of interested crowds of people, 5000 of whom attended at the aerodrome, necessitated the police closing the Wilhelmstrasse. The Sunday newspapers hope that the negotiations will result in a working basis.

SIR JOHN SIMON'S MISSION. SUPPORT OF ALL PARTIES. LONDON, Starch 22. The reception accorded to Sir John Simon's speech in the House of Commons indicates that he has the support of all parties in his coming mission of peace and conciliation. Unanimous newspaper support is also forthcoming. "The Daily Telegraph" says: "The visit is recognised to be as momentous as that of 'Lord Haldane in 1911." Like other newspapers the graph" welcomes the. applauding words of General gmuts for Britain's policy of going ahead with the peace mission despite recent discouraging events in Germany, but it warns Germany not to presume to far on the supposed ignorance or indifference of British people. "The Manchester Guardian" says that Sir John Simon made a good case for the Government's attitude. He and Mr Eden haye a specific mission and what they will have to report to the promised conference will mean much to peace. "The Morning Post" says that the unanimity disclosed in the debate in the House of Commons should greatly strengthen Sir John Simon's hand in the coming discussions. The French and Italian Governments have been kept fully informed of all developments in connection with the visits to Berlin and elsewhere and the approaching series of visits will be reviewed at a tripartite meeting**" Paris to-morrow. It is anticipated that on the return of the British Ministers from their visits a second tripartite meeting will be held in northern Italy. It is emphasised in London that there is no foundation for the report that German participation is contemplated. A purely Anglo-Franco-Italian meeting is likely to follow the visits.—British Official Wireless.

FRANCE AND SECURITY. " NOT AN AGGRESSIVE POLICY. PARIS, March 22. "Pacts are being prepared to assure the security of Europe," declared the Foreign Minister (M. Laval) addressing the Chamber of Deputies. "Germany knows I am determined to achieve the necessary international rapprochements. My only conception is the organisation of security within a strong France under the protection of the League of Nations. Germany's gesture only postpones the hour of peace, from which we wish to exclude nobodv. France's policy is not aggressive arid is not directed against any country. Moreover peoples and Governments, of goodwill will unite on a basis of mutual understanding. M. Bouillon recalled that Labourite ami Liberal members of the British House of Commons spoke strongly about Germany. Why was M. Laval not doing likewise? One must have the courage to tell France the truth. M. Laval, replying, announced that his duty was to maintain the work of friendly alliances around France.