FOR PEACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 70, 23 March 1935, Page 9

FOR PEACE.

BERLIN VISIT. BRITISH EFFORTS. Many Parleys Planned for Near Future. WHAT WILL GERMAIfy DO? (British Official Wireless.) (Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, March 22. The reception accorded Sir John Simon's speech in the House of Commons debate indicates that the Foreign Secretary has the support of all parties in his coming Berlin mission of peace and conciliation.

Unanimous newspaper support is also forthcoming. The "Daily Telegraph" says the visit is recognised to be as momentous as that of Lord Haldane in 1011. Like the other newspapers, it welcomes the applauding words of General Smuts for Britain's policy of going ahead with the peace mission despite the recent discouraging events in Germany, but it warns Germany not to presume too far on the supposed ignorance or indifference of the British people, citing the phrase from Sir Herbert Samuel's speech: "Equality of status, yes—military predominance, no."

It recalls Germany's complete misunderstanding of British opinion in the decade before the war, and says it would bo tragic if she repeated that error for, as Sir John Simon said, the alternative to a general agreement is a system of select aiid special combinations for assistance against danger.

"Policy of Blackmail." The "Manchester Guardian" saj's Sir John has made good the case for the Government's attitude. He and Mr. Anthony Eden have a specific mission, and what thej r will have to report to the promised conference will mean much to peace.

The "Morning Post" says the unanimity disclosed in the House of Commons debate should greatly strengthen Sir John's hand in the coming discussions. If it turns out that Germany prefers to pursue her ambitions by a policy of blackmail rather than by resuming her place in the comity of nations, then the rest of Europe will at least know where it stands.

The "Daily Herald" says two bases are essential for building ii system which vi* ill guarantee European peace. The first is Germany's full equality of status; the second is that Germany shall take her place in the comity of nations, not with arrogance and assertiveness, but with loyalty and readiness to contribute generously to the common task. Paris Talks Immediately. The French and Italian Governments have been kept fully informed of all developments in connection with the visits to Berlin and elsewhere of the British Ministers, and a wide field of European affairs, with particular reference to the approaching visits, will be reviewed at a tripartite meeting in Paris to-morrow.

Britain is to be represented by Mr. Eden. Siftnor Suvich will be the principal Italian representative, while M. Laval will attend on behalf of

France. On Sunday morning Mr. Eden will proceed to Amsterdam by air in time to join Sir John Simon and the other members of the British delegation who are flying to Berlin.

Tt is anticipated that on the. return of the British Ministers from Berlin. Moscow, Warsaw and Prasue, a second tripartite meeting between Britain. "France and Italy will be held, probably in the north of Italy, in order to review the results of the exploratory discussions in Berlin.

Tt is expected that Signor Mussolini will himself take part if (he success which is hoped for from the Berlin visit is achieved. It may be considered useful to follow up the three-Power meeting in Ttaly by further conferences in which Germany and the other interested Powers would take part. It is emphasised, however, in London that there is no foundation for the report that German participation is contemplated in the purely Anglo-Franco-Italian meeting, which is likely to follow the conclusion of the visits.