HITLER’S REPLY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 131, 16 March 1936, Page 5

HITLER’S REPLY

ACCEPTANCE STATED. REPRESENTATION OF GERMANY. TWO IMPORTANT RESERVATIONS. TEXT CIRCULATED TO LEACUE. UNOFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This'Day, 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, March 15. It is unofficially stated that Herr * Hitler has accepted,, with two important reservations, the Council's invitation to be represented on the League Council. His reply was received at St. James’ Palace at 7 p.m., translated by the League -Secretariat, and circulated among members of the League. , The League Council anxiously awaited the reply.' There is considerable discussion in diplamatic circles in London concerning Herr Hitler’s declaration, in his speech at Munich, that the German Government will not tolerate being continually dragged before international tribunals. FORCES INCREASED. \ -GERMANS IN THE RHINELAND. HEAVY ARTILLERY ARRIVES. (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) BERLIN, March 15. A message from Metz says it is reported that Germany," far from withdrawing forces from the Rhineland, is increasing them from Saarbruck. It is reported that further detachments of heavy artillery have arrived. It is stated from Loerrach that the garrison has been reinforced by a regiment of artillery to-day. THE TENSION GROWING. BRITISH CONSULATE WARNED. PREPARE FOR ANY EVENTUALITY. (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, March 15. The Strasbourg correspondent of the "Times” says that the tension is growing, though it is stated in official circles that there is no reason for alarm. No new events are anticipated before next week. Nevertheless the British Consulate has been warned to be prepared for any eventuality. FAVOURABLE DEVELOPMENTS. EXPECTATION IN GERMANY. ' i CAUTION OVER INVITATION. (Rceived This Day, 9.35 a.m.) BERLIN, March 15. The press comments cautiously en the invitation extended to Germany by the 'League Council, though it seems to believe there are indications of favourable developments for Germany. Germany’s reply to the invitation will not be known until* Herr Hitler consults his departmental chiefs. He sped back to Berlin from Munich by special aeroplane. A QUESTION OF HONOUR. MILITARY POWER OF FRANCE. LONDON, March 14. The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says: “The general view in Berlin is that Germany will neither withdraw troops from the Rhineland nor surrender to a show of force, however overwhelming. In the Rhineland, as the Germans see it, is a question of fundamental rights. As national military action, it is believed, would moan a European disaster, and many think that sanctions would not be much better, two questions are therefore anxiously being asked: (1) Whether a German action constituting no military threat to anyone must become a cause of European war. i2) Can no formula be found by which Germany can help to regularise the position on the Rhineland without being compelled to give way on a question of honour? “Official Diplomatic Correspondence” declares that the Locarno Treaty at a crucial point made the defence of Germany against France impossible by placing such overwhelming forces at France’s disposal that the guarantor Powers could not successfully help a Germany thus deprived of the power of resistance or even of attack. The position when the Locarno Treaty was signed was different from that now created bv the erection of France s vast frontier fortifications and her policy of alliances with Poland and Czechoslovakia. In fact of this, Germany’s reaction seemed trifling.