OFFER REPEATED

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

OFFER REPEATED

GERMAN REPLY TO BRITAIN. LIMITATION OF THE TROOPS.

PENDING NEGOTIATIONS. (United Press Association— Copyright.) (Rceived This Day, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, March 12. Upon Herr Hitler’s instruction the German Ambassador (Herr von Hosch) called on the Secretary of State tor Foreign Affairs (Mr R A. Eden) today and made the following reply, which Britain regards as a contribution, but far from fulfilling its hopes: “The German Government cannot enter into discussions regarding lasting or provisional limitations of sovereignty of the Rhineland. Herr Hitler wishes, however, to facilitate the French Government’s acceptance of the Geiman proposals, therefore lie reiterates his original intentions to gi\ e to the re-establishment of German sovereignty in the Rhineland only a symbolic character, namely, the strength of the troops stationed in the Rhineland to be on a peacetime basis, already indicated to the British and French military attaches in Berlin. This stiength will not be increased at present, nor is it at present intended to station them nearer the FrancoBelgian frontiers. Such restriction will be observed for the duration of the pending negotiations. It is. however, assumed that a similar attitude will be observed by Franc 2 and Belgium.” Prior to the meeting to-night, Mr Eden informed the French, Belgian and Italian representatives of the negotiations with Herr Hoesch. BRITISH CABINET MEETS. LONDON, March 11. Mr Eden and Viscount Halifax re-, turned to London this evening. They attended a special meeting of Cabinet to consider the situation in light of the conversations in Paris. Meanwhile arrangements are pioceeding for holding a meeting of the Council of the League of Nations in London on Saturday. The meeting will take place at St. James Palace.

No further information was given m reply to questions in Parliament on the subject of the position created by the events last Saturday, the questioners being referred to Mr Eden’s statement on Monday.—British Official Wireless.