TALKS IN BERLIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 37, 23 November 1937, Page 5

TALKS IN BERLIN

VALUABLE PERSONAL CONTACTS GERMAN ASPIRATIONS STATED. KINDNESS AND COURTESY. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, November 21. The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says: “That the conversations Viscount Halifax has had in Berlin have been useful goes without saying, but in the German view the next move lies with Britain, and recalling the disappointment after earlier visits by Sir John Simon and Mr Eden, German commentators refrain from raising public hopes.” Lord Halifax would only say: “If we have succeeded in opening the door now, I hope we will not let it be closed again.” Lord Halifax added that his task had been to establish personal contacts Avith those responsible for the conduct of the policy of Germany. He hoped the result would be to smooth the course of British and German relations. He Avould depart AA r ith pleasant memories of the kindness and courtesy received everywhere, particularly from Herr Hitler, General Goering and Baron von Neurath.

Mr G. Ward Price, in a dispatch to the “Daily Mail” from Berlin says: “There is reason to believe that while Herr Hitler on Friday kept mainly to questions of principle, General Goering on Saturday filled in the outline of the Fuhrer’s views by stating the German aspirations in a more concrete form.” Mr Ward Price comments that highplaced Germans say the only Nazi aim directly involving British interests is the recovery of colonies. There are good grounds for supposing that General Goering gave Lord Halifax to understand that Germany regards herself as entitled to the return 'of all her pre-war colonies. He also reveals that an official German news agency circulated the report of Lord Halifax’s invitation to Baron von Neurath to \dsit London. Lord Halifax said he had no authority to issue the invitation.

Dr. P. J. Goebbels, who did not attend the British Embassy dinner on Saturday night because of a public engagement, entertained Lord Halifax to tea yesterday afternoon.