SAVING FACTOR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 127, 11 March 1936, Page 5

SAVING FACTOR

CALMNESS OF BRITAIN. A SPLENDID EFFECT ABROAD. MEDIATION POSSIBLE. (United Press Association — Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, March 10. A correspondent of the ‘Sun-Herald ’ service says that, again speaking with one voice, the entire British Press approves of the course events are taking. The newspapers emphasise the fact that neither the Government nor the public have lost their heads; on the contrary they have remained perfectly calm. This lias had a splendid effect abroad, even in France, where the earHer inclination was to act precipitately. It is generally believed here that if the situation is handled carefully it will in no way imperil peace, and that Britain as the peacemaker may still be able to mediate successfully between France and Germany. ACTION DEFENDED. THE ATTITUDE OF GERMANY. NO ANXIETY ABOUT SANCTIONS. LONDON, March 9. The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says that there is probably extreme relief in official quarters that the French have not entered the Rhineland to counter the German advance. The risk was light—otherwise Germany would not have reoccupied the zone. Nevertheless, it existed in the German mind. With this danger overcome, German newspapers began emphasising the concession Germany was making by re-entrance to the League oi '■Nations. The anxiety about whether France would propose sanctions was minimised, as the opinion was expressed that the practical people of Britain did not desire further disturbances to trade. The Germans are prepared to uphold the legality of the denunciation of the Locarno Treaty, pointing out that M. Flandin’s offer to submit the Franco-Soviet pact to The Hague Court was rejected because it involved a political question which the court was not competent to decide. The Germans' are also prepared to argue that Germany is not guilty of aggression, as only two divisions re-entered a district formerly occupied by six army corps, and an intention to undertake hostilities was manifestly absent. However, armed police, consisting of nine battalions —-almost equivalent to another division—have been absorbed into the army of occupation, which,is estimated at 40,000 to 45,009 men. Whatever happens at Geneva, there is no consideration of again evacuating the zone, although it is understood that the deinternationalisation of rivers will not be introduced into the present discussions.

POWERS’ VIEW OF SPEECH. SATISFACTION IN GERMANY. FRANCE IS DISAPPOINTED. LONDON, March 9. The Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that Mr Eden’s speech lias reassured Germany. The “Berliner Tageblatt” says the speech contains what it had to contain from a British and League point of view, namely, formal condemnation of the German step and necessary consoling words for France. The “Deutsche Allegmeine Zeitung” says: “Mr Eden’s declaration was what we expected. It opens the door to reasonable conversations about the future.” The “Kolnische Zeitung” says : “Germany recognises with satisfaction that the British Government has not lost its head and does not regard Germany’s resumption of full sovereignty over the German Rhineland as a hostile act.” A Paris message says that Mr Eden’s speech surprised and disappointed France, especially the statement that Britain is prepared to examine obectively Herr Hitler’s proposals. It was hoped that Mr Eden would support M. Sarraut’s point-blank icfusal to negotiate as long as German troops remained in the demilitarised zone. By failing to do so, it is maintained, the British 'Government has accepted Herr Hitler’s fait accompli. The Paris correspondent of the “News-Chronicle” says it is beginning to be realised that negotiations with Germany arc inevitable and that the Government’s attitude has merely made matters far more difficult than is necessary. The Brussels correspondent oi the “News-Clnonide” says it is authoritatively stated that the Belgian Government will oppose sanctions against Germany for two main reasons: (1) Because, juridically, Germany has not perpetrated any aggression against France and Belgium; (2) because it is impossible to ask Italy to join in sanctions against Germany when Italy is herself subject to sanctions.. The Belgian Government is sceptical about Herr Hitler’s offer of new treaties, but expresses the opinion that it would blunder brutally if it were to reject the German proposals, as it is i'eit that nothing can be lost by negotiating with Germany.