OPINIONS ON OFFER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 126, 10 March 1936, Page 5

OPINIONS ON OFFER

REGARDED AS VALUELESS. PLEDGES BY HERR HITLER. REPORTED OFFER TO AID ITALY. (United Press Association—Copyright.) ‘ 'LONDON, March 8. The Beilin correspondent of “The Times” interprets Herr Hitler’s speech as an attempt to placate Britain and to throw the responsibility on France for Germany’s action which, however, does not entail the mere rejection of a one-sided clause of the Versailles Treaty, but a repudiation of the whole of the freely-negotiated Treaty of Locarno. This Treaty was spontaneously signed by Germany and repeatedly reasserted by Herr Hitler, who declared that he regarded the demilitarised zone as a contribution toward the appeasement of Europe. Hitherto Herr Hitler has boasted that he has never broken a personal pledge. That assertion is now invalidated. The Geneva correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian” says that the overwhelming tipjnion in diplomatic, journalistic and official circles is that Herr Hitler’s word and signature are alike valueless. Few Governments will consider concluding any agreement with Germany in the future. lierr Hitler himself reaffirmed the Locarno Treaty in 1935. His repudiation is the application of the maxim in “Mein Kampf” that treaties should be repudiated wherever convenient. There is reason to believe that Herr Hitler told Signor Mussolini in November that Germany would help him if he held out until the spring. Germany’s present action seems to be in fulfilment of that promise. There will be a tendency to say that the Abyssinian dispute must be ended at all costs in the face of this new menace to the peace of Europe. Moreover, Italy is unlikely to lose the opportunity of blackmailing other Powers.

The Rome correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says that while it is denied that Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini arranged the denouncement of the Locarno Treaty, Italy is delighted, believing that Herr Htler’s acton will greatly strengthen Italy’s.position, because France will increasingly value Italy’s friendship and will not wish to do anything to offend her.