NOTE TO POWERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 125, 9 March 1936, Page 5

NOTE TO POWERS

EUROPEAN PEACE GUARANTEE. GERMANY’S SEVEN POINTS. “PURELY DEFENSIVE ACTION.” (United Press Association— Copyright.) BERLIN, March 7. In his speech In the Reichstag, Hbn Hitler said: “In order to avoid misinterpretation of the German intentions and purely defensive reoccupation of the Rhineland, Germany is ready to negotiate for a new agreement for the establishment of a system of European guarantee of peace. “(1): She is ready to negotiate immediately with Belgium for a mutual demilitarised zone and to agree to such a proposal in every aspect under the conditional complete parity; “(2): She proposes in order to secure inviolability of the western frontiers to conclude a non-aggression pact of 25 years between Germany, France and Belgium; . . _ ‘ ‘(3): She invites Britain and Italy to sign a treaty as guarantors; “(4): Holland may join, if she wishes and other Powers if they consider it opportune; “(5): Germany is ready to conclude an air pact with Western Powers, suitable automatically and effectively to prevent the clanger of sudden attacks j “(6): Germany repeats her offer of non-aggression pacts with countries along her eastern frontier lines. The offer of a Polish non-aggression pact includes Lithuania in view of her recent changed attitude on the Memel question; “(7): Now that German v’k final equality and the Reich’s complete sovereignty has been brought about, the Government regards the • chief cause of her resignation from the League of Nations to be removed, and therefore is willing to re-enter the League.” PRECAUTIONS BY FRANCE. “TREATY BRUTALLY VIOLATED.” SANCTIONS' MAY BE SOUGHT. LONDON, March 7. The tendency in France lias been to appeal for calmness. Nevertehless, all army leave has been stopped, officers and men being recalled' by telegram. Fortifications are being manned and strengthened and detachments of mobile guards have been sent. to reinforce the frontier police. These precautionary measures to protect the frontier are being taken tranquilly by the population there, which was expecting the Germans to re-enter the Rhineland for a week, through the arrival of German officers at various towns to prepare accommodation. Commentaries expect France to ask at Geneva for financial and economic sanctions against Germany under the Stresa resolution drafted after Germany’s reimposition of conscription. This resolution was passed by the League, providing a committee representing Britain, Canada, China, Spain, France, Hungary, Turkey, Russia, and Yugoslavia, to propose measures to make the covenant more effective for collective security, especially defining economic financial measures applicable to a State endangering peace by unilateral repudiation of international obligations. It is considered that France will receive Britain’s support, because of Mr Eden’s recent statement in the House of Commons, and also as a counterpart to French support of Britain against Italy, while the Soviet and the Little Entente will also support France. It is believed that France intends to insist that Germany re-evacuate the Rhineland, in which she demands support from Britain, Italy, and Belgium.

The Paris newspapers generally condemn Germany’s “brutal violation of the treaty,” and declare that Germany cannot be trusted. The French have reoccupied their bridgehead at Kehl, which was evacuated under the Locarno Treaty. Thus French and German soldiers are again facing each other. Meanwhile, the frontier zone which France strongly fortified, but is holding with skeleton troops, is being brought to full strength from depots, although it has not yet been decided to call up reserves and new classes of conscripts. France had decided to bring the question before the Council of the League of Nations. “MORTAL BLOW TO SANCTIONS.” COMMENT IN ROME. ROME, March 8. Commentators express the opinion that Germany’s return to the League would be valuable as a counter to England and France, who dominate the League Council. Moreover, it is believed to be a mortal blow to sanctions. “NO CAUSE FOR ALARM.” VIEWS OF MR W. M. HUGHES. (Received This Day, 11.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Mr W. M. Hughes, summing up the European situation, said,; “There is no cause for alarm. At most, there is no more cause for it than there was a week ago. ,