GERMANY ARMING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 65, 28 December 1935, Page 5

GERMANY ARMING

NEED FOR HASTE EMPHASISED. HITLER ON FOREIGN POLICY. DEMAND FOR COLONIES IN YEAR (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, December 27. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian” says that the trend of German foreign policy in the New Year was indicated by Herr Hitler himself at a recent meeting of the German Cabinet. Herr Hitler said: “The time for Germany to make her weight felt in. the pursuit of national aims abroad has not yet come. It maj be delayed another year, perhaps several. “German rearmament is not y e v complete and must be speeded up. The Abyssinian conflict is unlikely to last much longer. There would then be a renewed attempt, under British leadership, to secure limitation of international armaments, but Germany would not accept limitation until rearmed in the measure she considered necessary. If Germany is sufficiently armed, the other Powers will bo unable to press her to reduce armaments. “The speeding up of Germany’s rearmament is also necessary for internal reasons. Limitations mean the dismissal of workmen from arms factories, making Germany’s already grave unemployment problem grayer still. Dr. Schacht alone criticised lierr Hitler’s remarks, especially his economics arguing that Germany must above all be able to import more raw materials and. increase her foreign currency holdings, but the arguments were brushed aside. Herr Hitler pointed out that it Geimany forgoes her active foreign policy for at least another year, the Nazis may lose ground in Austria, but lie was seemingly convinced that this would easily be recovered when the act came. He believes that the ultimate Austro-German union is certain. The correspondent adds that Geimany is likely to make a claim to the possession of overseas colonies in a year, though Herr Hitler may first merely demand recognition of Germany’s right “to be a colonial power. The chief concern is to formulate a claim in such a way as to avoid arousing British distrust and ill-feeling. FRENCH PRECAUTIONS. COMPULSORY SERVICE DOUBLED. PARIS, December 26. “Germany’s rearmament is proceeding to an accelerated rhythm,” declared the Minister for War (M. Fabry) introducing a recruiting bill. He explained that France was able to station only 400,000 men in metropolitan France, whereas Germany had 800,000 men ready. The bill temporarily increases compulsory service from a year to two years to ensure manning the line of fortifications in the event of aggression.