GERMANY TO-DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 130, 4 June 1934, Page 7

GERMANY TO-DAY

TRADE DWINDLING. Arming Faster Than Any Other Nation. 3RITISH JOURNALIST'S VIEWS. United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Eeceived 12.00 p.m.) LONDON, June 3. Mr. Pembroke Stephens, the "Daily; Express" correspondent who was sent to make uh inquiry into conditions in Germany and who was twice arrested, and ultimately ordered to leave the country, says he is determined to tell what is happening in Germany. Ho savs the country's foreign trade is dwindling alarmingly every month owing to tiie depreciation of the pound and the dollar, and the boycott by the Jews. On tho contrary, the home trade, stimulated by "the new national courage by Hcrr Hitler, lias improved out of recognition. Unemployment lias been halved. Gigantic labour schemes are in full swing, and the people are spending freely, but there is a desperate shortage of foreign currency, and this is hindering imports and ncccssary raw materials. "I believe Hitler will last" Mr. Stephens states. '"He retains his hold on the mass of the people, who have 110 alternative to liim but a military dictatorship or Bolshevism. Ido not foresee cither. "Germany is arming faster than any nation. All available foreign currency is going to buy foreign-made aeroplanes and armaments, but Germany has a long way to go to have sufficient machinery and money for an immediate war. I do not think it will come to an offensive war t>y Germany. My advice to Britain is to keep out." An earlier message stated that Mr. Stephens arrived in England by air from Belgium yesterday. He is reported as saving that it is impossible to tell the truth about Germany and remain an accredited correspondent. SAAR PLEBISCITE. PRANCO-GERMAN ACCORD. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 11 a.m.) RUGBY, June 3. The French delegation to Geneva announces that it has reached an agreement with Germany regarding the Saar. This fixes the plebiscite for January 13, 1935. The inhabitants are to exercise their liberty to vote, with full guarantees against oppression. Agreement on the question of the Saar plebiscite, which is recorded in the report of the committee of three under Baron Aloisi, was submitted to-day to the League Council for approval.