FRENCH ALARM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 46, 24 February 1936, Page 7

FRENCH ALARM.

GERMANY'S THREAT.

Counter-Move in Rhineland to

Soviet Pact.

TALK OF LOCARNO REVISION.

United Prees Association. —Copyright,

L.ONDON, February 23

A message from Berlin says an official statement reiterates that Germany regards the Franco-Soviet pact as a "flagrant violation" of Locarno.

The German communique, says a dispatch from Paris, is causing alarm and the French newspapers are anticipating that Germany intends to use the pact as an excuse to move troops into the Rhineland.

The Berlin correspondent of the "Paris-Midi" expresses the opinion that the growing friendship between Italy and Germany is reported to be deeply impressing the Balkan countries.

The French Foreign Office spokesman says France does not accept the German thesis that the Franco-Soviet pact contravenes Locarno. Its ratification cannot serve as an excuse for the remilitarisation of the Rhineland as its terms only provide for mutual assistance in the event of Germany s unprovoked aggression after the League's normal procedure. The Belgian Ambassador asked M. Flandin what the French' attitude would be if Germany's retort to the pact were a denunciation of Locarno and military measures. Britain's Obligations. The "Sunday Observer" Paris correspondent says that in the event of Germany's repudiation of the demilitarisation clauses of the Locarno Treaty it is expected that France will appeal to the League and look to Britain to honour her Locarno obligations. Moreover, if Germany presses for a "peaceful" revision of Locarno and France receives other guarantees of security she might agree to German troops reoccupying the demilitarised zone, but would oppose Germany building fortifications which would increase the danger of war, enable 300,000 men to hold the frontier and free the remainder of the armies to begin an Eastern war of conquest.

The "Sunday Observer" Berlin correspondent says the official spokesman there denies the French rumours regarding the Rhineland, including one that Herr Hitler conferred with his generals on the subject. He said Germany had more important things to do than to plunge into war over the Rhineland.

Germany welcomes the French concern, savs the correspondent. Apparently she is playing on the fears of French politicians for the purpose of increasing the difficulty of the ratification of the Franco-Russian pact, but she would not denounce the demilitarisation of the Khineland owing to fears of severe repercussions in Europe.

Germany is active in other directions and is planning to increase her political influence and to secure larger markets in the Balkans.

A message from Rome says Italy does not consider the Franco-Russian pact conflicts with Locarno, but if Locarno becomes inoperative she might revise her view.