MINISTERS IN BERLIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 140, 26 March 1935, Page 5

MINISTERS IN BERLIN

MEETING GERMAN LEADERS.

VITAL ISSUES AT STAKE. THE PEACE OF EUROPE. (United Press Association—Copyright') (Received This Day, 11. 55 a.m.) LONDON 7 , March 25. The conversations at Berlin lasted over six hours to-day and will be resumed to-morrow. Sir John Simon, Mr R. A. Eiden and Sir Erie Phipps (British Ambassador) this morning drove to the Chancellory, where they were greeted by Herr Hitler, who was accompanied by Baron von Neurath (Foreign Minister) and Herr von Ribbentrop (who recently visited London as a special envoy from the Chancellor). This conference lasted 3i hours, after which the British Ministers returned to the British Embassy before taking lunch with Herr Hitler and his colleague. The conversations were resumed in the afternoon, lasting a further three hours.—British Official Wireless. "DENUNCIATION" OF TREATY.

IN THE COMMONS,

(Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, March 25. With Sir John Simon in Berlin, the Prime Minister answered on his behalf several questions in the House of Commons to-day. Asked whether the German Government's action in "denouncing" the Treaty of Versailles was intended to affect any provisions other than the military clauses, Mr MacDonald pointed out that the Treaty of Versailles did not provide for denunciation by the signatories thereof, and it was a misapprehension to suppose that any action taken unilaterally by the German Government or by any other Government could have the effect of denouncing the Treaty in the sense of the term. No other clauses of the Treaty, so far as he was aware, were affected by Germany's action. Asked what treaties affecting Britain had within the last 50 years been denounced by unilateral action, Mr MacDonald said that in 1886 the Russian Government denounced the 59th article of the Treaty of Berlin, by which Ratuni. was constituted a free port. He knew of no other denunciation by unilateral action where no such right was conferred in the treaty. —British Official Wireless.

LONDON NEWSPAPER COMMENT

LONDON, March 24

As Sir John Simon descended from his aeroplane Her,r Hitler's personal bodyguard which had been sent specially to meet the British Ministers, fixed bayonets and presented arms, reports the Berlin correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph." The officer in command smartly saluted with flashing sword so close that Sir John appeared surprised. A'n officer on the parade ground delivered a short speech of welcome on behalf of the bodyguard. This martial reception emphasised the military character of the mission. Six of Germany's new bombers stood on the aerodrome. The German newspapers to-day devote many columns to personal appreciation of "Sir, John Simon and Mr Eden They are assured of a warm welcome'in Germany, but comment in general on the past and present policies of the former Allied nations remains critical. For instance the "Boersen" Zeitung," in an article illustrative, of the German outlook on the conversations says, "We Germans have become unusually wary and quick-eared for false tones underlying pleasant words and apparently harmless proposals." The "Daily Telegraph's" diplomatic correspondent at Berlin says, "A firm conviction exists here that Great Britain is more likely than any other country to see the German problem as it presents itself to the German mind. The "Daily Mail's" Berlin correspondent, Mr G. Ward Price, says "Russia is the rock in the path of Sir John Simon's mission, Germany would probably enter a. triangular air agreement but must consider aerial defence of her eastern as well as her western frontier. Sir John will not find her as willing to reduce her army as reciprocally to limit her air force, but an eastern Locarno would find least support of all Germans cannot understand why *G.eat Britain should allow France to drag her at Russia's heels." "The Times" in a leading article, hopes that nothing will be done at Berlin which will give the forthcoming Stresa conference among Great Britain, France and tftaly the appearance of'an anti-German conclave. If Heir Hitler can persuade the world that, his enlarged army is really designed to give him equalit'v of status and equality ot negotiation with other nations instead, of being trained for agression, Europe may really face an era m which. changes can be made without force. The Berlin correspondent 'of the "News-Chronicle" states, "Germany's first political aim is absorption ot Austria, and, last but by no means least, recovery of her lost colonies or acquisition of . others. The German newspapers refer to the colonies in the most guarded manner, but the subject is on the lips of every politician." The Rome correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says, "Signor Mussolini's reference to millions of bayonets was by no means a figure of speech. At a conservative estimate he can put upwards of 900,000 men under arms at short notice. It is reported that Signor Mussolini's action was inspired by fears that recent developments offer a new threat to Austrian independence and by the further development of German, conscription. The Polish Ambassador at Berlin protested to the German Foreign Minister (Baron voii Neurath) against the conscription decree and informed him of Poland's views thereon.

The correspondent' of the British

United Press at Vatican City learns that the Pope will issue on April 28 a world "peace encyclical" warning the nations of the dangers of war and condemning violation of pacts. The European situation formed the subject of a speech delivered last night by Sir John Simon at a political meeting near Leeds. Sir John emphasised that it was no service to the cause of peace for anybody to represent that there was in Great Britain some cleavage of opinion or purpose in regard to the peace issue. The House; of Commons on Thursday night had given a very striking exhibition of the unity of spirit which prevailed on that matter. There was no place in the world where criticism could be so keen, yet that night saw the whole of the House of Commons,, representative of the whole of the country, serving the bigger interest of the country. It was not because it was imposed upon • them by. some dictator, but because there was something better in freedom than all those other creeds —freedom shown by people who had self-control at a critical moment. , \

ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES. ADHERENCE TO TREATIES. LONDON, March 24. It is reported from Washington that the Secretary of State (Dr. Cordell Hull) said that the United States Government was closely following; developments in the European situation. The United States had always asserted that treaties must constitute the foundation for any stable peace structure, and it would always use its influence- to encourage a strict adherence to ihe provisions of the treaties.—British Official Wireless. •

BERLIN ILLUSIONS DISPELLED.

EXTENT OF BRITAIN'S POLICY. LONDON, March 24. "The Observer's" Berlin correspondent says that any illusions, that Britain's policy cuts across FrancoItalian affairs'is dispelled by German newspapermen in London pointing out that Britain is to decide her final propositions only after discussions, including stress. LEAGUE TO MEET ON APRIL T 5. TO CONSIDER. FRENCH NOTE. LONDON, March 24. The League of Nations will meet on April 15 to discuss the French Note regarding Germany's denunciation of the Treaty of Versailles. THE DESTINY OF GERMANY. EQUALITY . MUST COME, LONDON, March 24. Mr J. L. Garvin, writing in the "Observer" (of which he is editor) emphasises that -Herr Hitler's declaration is merely a return to German tradition, also that there can be no sane system agreed upon for the peace pf Europe without recognition of Germany's absolute equality among great Powers. Nothing can prevent Germany on the basis of equality; head for head, acquiring in measurable time a towering predominance over France alone. Indeed with the spirit, creed and energy of the Nazi regime it will be iiard enough to prevent her becoming as formidable as any two Powers ot Europe. The critical question -is whether Herr Hitler is willing on tolerable conditions to preserve the peace of Europe for a definite period'of years.