THE RHINELAND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 79, 15 January 1936, Page 5

THE RHINELAND

FRANCE GREATLY CONCERNED. SUSPICIONS OF GERMANY. DEMILITARISATION QUESTION. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, .10.40 a.m.) PARIS, Jan. 14. The French Press is sceptical as to the possibility of an early solution of the Italo-Abyssinian conflict. Official circles do not attach great importance to M. Laval's conversations with Signor Cerutti (Italian Ambassador), who is reported to have declared that Italy will not attack Britain, and will not leave the League even if sanctions are voted. France is more pre-occupied with the German situation in view of the recent Nazi attacks on the Locarno Pact.

Madame Tabouis, writing in "L'oeuvre," declares that the news from the demilitarised zone of the Rhineland is very grave. Cabinet realises that it may shortly be faced with an insolent manifesto from Germany concerning this zone. Britain has already intimated that if Germany insists" on repudiating the demilitarisation clauses of the Treaty of Versailles, she is not prepared to do anything. The newspaper, "Petit Parisien," warns Germany of the serious repercussions the breaking of the Treaty will involve.

"FRENCH POLITICAL TRICK."

MASKING OF MANOEUVRES. WHISPERING AND SHOUTING. (Received This Day, i p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 14. The "Daily Herald's" Paris correspondent says that M. Laval's whispering campaign in favour of leaving Italy to "be defeated by the A'byssinians and rain," being followed up by a shouting campaign to the effect that a watch on the Bhine is worth two on the Alps, trying to create a suitable atmosphere for new Italo-Abyssinian conciliation proposals rival using the favourite French political trick of creating a. diversion to mask manoeuvres. The newspapers, under M. Laval's influence, are fully exploiting the theme of German rearmaments and possible re-occupation of the Rhineland.