FRANCE INSISTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 129, 13 March 1936, Page 5

FRANCE INSISTS

GERMANS MUST LEAVE. PRELIMINARY TO NEGOTIATIONS. MOST SERIOUS VIEW OF DANGER BRITAIN MAY URGE COMPLIANCE (United Press Association-Copyright.) LONDON, March 12. France insists on the withdrawal of the German troops from the Rhineland as the first essential to any negotiations with Herr Hitler. The diplomatic correspondent of the * Daily Telegraph’ sayp that Britain will try to persuade Germany to comply. The correspondent adds: 1 ‘The British Government at first did not attach major importance to France’s demand for withdrawal, largely because of a belief that Germany had only sent “token” detachments to the Rhineland ; but it is now realised that Germany is assembling very large forces—the French estimate is 90,000 —in the whole area. This greatly influenced the British estimate of the dangers of the position, especially if France carries out her reported intention of assembling la similar number of troops on the French side of the frontier.” The smallest frontier incidents, it Is said, might then lead to the sudden outbreak of a major conflagration. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says the French Government has no intention of budging in the slightest degree from the position it had taken up only after the fullest consideration. How long it will maintain this frame of mind is another matter; but judging.from the present attitude it would be a mistake to count on any substantial change for some time to come. France sees in the German action not only a local threat to French security, but a wider threat to the whole system of the League of Nations, and fears that if Germany is again allowed to reap the fruits of ruthlessness many Powers, including the Little Entente, may abandon the League as a useless institution.

The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says that stiff French resistance to the German reoccupation of the Rhineland has depressed and alarmfed Berlin, where the only comfort is that there were no differences between England and France at. the Paris meeting, and that the next discussions will he held in London. Nevertheless, there is anxiety about what may happen even in London when the Russians, the, French, and the members of the Little Entente get together. ... It is re-emphasised that if withdrawal from the Rhineland is to Ive a condition of negotiations, it will bo a long time before, any occur. At the conversations among the Locarno Powers in Paris yesterday the French representatives are undeistood to have pointed out that Geimany had made her sudden “symbolic” military incursion into the Rhineland at a moment when France had actually asked for, and was awaiting, Germany’s promised suggestions for’a basis of negotiations— succeeding Herr Hitler’s statement of Germany’s desire for peace. It was also emphasised that Germany had chosen a strange method or vindicating her honour by dishonouring a freely - negotiated treaty as a preliminary to offering to negotiate another, and that such methods could only create deep alarm and indignation in France, i TRANSFER OF CONFERENCE. “TIMES” APPROVES THE STEP. LONDON, March 11. Discussions of the Rhineland crisis have moved from- Paris to London, where a conference of the . Locarno powers will bti held to-monow, followed immediately by a meeting of the league council. This was an unexpected development after the French Prime Minister <M. Sarraut) had addressed the Chamber of Deputies when event followed event with sensational speed. Signor Dino Grand’-, Italian Ambassador in London, will represent Italy at the league council meeting. In a leading article “The limes congratulates Mr Eden on the transfer of the conference of Locarno powers to London, saying that the transfer has equally satisfied Paris and Berlin.’ “There can be nothing but gratitude for M. Sarraut’s studied moderation,” says “The Times.” “Every source of opinion in Britain agrees that a breach of a treaty has arisen. The nations meeting in London must decide what action will repair the damage done to all treaties by the open repudiation of one, and must simultaneously promote a sense of settlement. “Germany must volunteer immedi--ate practical proof that her action, is not menacing and that her good faith indisputable. Then the door would be opened to free negotiations and a promise of new peace for Europe ”