COLLECTIVE SECURITY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 97, 5 February 1936, Page 5

COLLECTIVE SECURITY.

HOPES FOR AN AGREEMENT. GERMANS FEAR ENCIRCLEMENT. (United Press Association —Copyright.) i LONDON, February 4. The Ten Power talks in Paris continue to monopolise attention. The Pans correspondent of the 1 Daily o graph” says it is admitted that the immediate objects are two decisive steps toward the ultimate goal of a system of collective security embracing tne whole of Europe, namely, Bulgaria s adherence to the Balkan Entente and Austria’s adherence to the Little Enente. . . . It is not pretended that signed commitments are likely to emerge from the present discussions, hut it is claimed that they have already produced oral assurances justifying the most confident hopes of the ultimate documentary obligations. The Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says the cry has again been raised that the talks are directed exclusively against 'Germany and against her encirclement.” The “Deutsche Allegemeine Zeitung” asks: “Why all this talk about the German menace, since we have no intention of attacking anyone?” There are also widespread rumours that a. plebiscite may be held, in which Germany will be asked whether she favours the maintenanceof the demilitarised Rhineland zone and whether she will support a scheme for the disposition of colonies. A message published yesterday spoke of a period of great diplomatic activity in Paris, during which the monarchs and statesmen of Central and Eastern Europe were conferring with French statesmen. In some quarters it was believed that King Carol of Rumania wished to make Russia an additional guarantor of Austrian independence; but France was thought unlikely to agree to a proposal giving Germany a reason' for further talk of “encirclement.” Prince von Starhemberg was also interested in Austrian independence; but he shared the general view that a restoration of the Hapsburgs would cause dangerous friction.