QUALIFIED REPLY TO LEAGUE COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 65, 17 March 1936, Page 7

QUALIFIED REPLY TO LEAGUE COUNCIL.

GERMANY'S NOTE.

Rhine Move Part of General Peace Scheme. FRANCE INDIGNANT. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 10.30 a.m.) , LONDON, March 16. The reply, of Herr Hitler to the invitation from the Council of the League of Nations to Germany to bo represented at its future meetings in London to discuss the Rhineland situation was received at St. James' Palace at 7 p.m. yesterday. The reply was translated by the League Secretariat and circulated among the members of the Council. It was signed by the German Foreign Secretary, Baron von Neurath. The Note stated:" "Germany is prepared in principle to accept the invitation. She assumes that her representatives will participate on equal terms with the representatives of the Powers in the Council's discussions and in its decision. "Germany must call attention to the following fundamental considerations, namely, that the German Government's action, which led to the summoning of the Council by France and Belgium, does not consist merely in the restoration of German sovereignty in the Rhineland, but also is bound up with comprehensive, concrete proposals to give a new assurance of peace to Europe. The German Government regards its political action as a whole, and the component parts of it cannot be separated from one another. j "Therefore, Germany can take part' in the proceedings of the Council only if she is assured that the Powers concerned are prepared to enter upon negotiations forthwith regarding her proposals." Meaning of Word Forthwith. A question is raised regarding the translation of the German word j "alsbald" as meaning "forthwith" in the j English text of the reply. The dictionary j gives the meaning as "directly" as well as "forthwith." . A German authority says that in general usage "alsbald" means "as soon as possible," which, if correct, will dispose of much adverse comment based on the idea that Herr Hitler is asking for immediate or simultaneous con- j sideration of his peace pact proposals. I How much hangs on the word "alsbald" is shown in this morning's | official German eagerness to explain that the correct translation is "in due course." There has been considerable conflict regarding the terms of the actual invitation to Germany. The official version is that Germany was invited as a contracting party to Locarno and not as originally / intended under Article XVII. of the Covenant of the League, which might have increased Germany's difficulty in accepting. French Threat to Withdraw. The French Foreign Minister, M. j Flandin, in an interview formally refused to agree to the Council considering Herr Hitler's proposals to discuss Locarno simultaneously with peace suggestions because he (M. Flandin) had come to London to enable the violation of Locarno to be recorded. "I do not agree to discuss anything else," said M. Flandin, "and I will, if necessary, leave London and even the Council." Although British circles are amenable to Herr Hitler's request for equal treatment, they regard his reply gener-1 ally as disappointing. However, the j Council must decide at a secret meeting to-day whether Germany's conditions are acceptable. The Berlin correspondent of "The Times" states that Herr Hitler and his colleagues are unanimous that they are not willing to sit at a Coimcil table at which the exclusive subjects of discussion would be the guilt or otherwise of Germany regarding the violation of the treaties of Locarno and Versailles. Another message from Berlin states that Herr Freidrich Gaus, Germany's diplomatic and legal authority, has left for London. Apparently if Germany is represented at the meeting of the Council it will be by the Ambassador, Dr. von Hoesch. According to the same reports news of the invitation was warmly welcomed by the German public. LEADERS DIVIDED. Officials Close to Herr Hitler Disagree. COUP NOT A "WALK-OVER." LONDON, March 16. The "Daily Telegraph" Berlin correspondent states that differences between the Minister of Economics, Dr. Schacnt, and Herr Wilhelm Kepler, Herr Hitler s personal economic adviser, have been brought to a head by a letter froni Ur. Schacht severing his relations with Herr Kepler. It is generally felt that if it a choice between the two, Herr Hitler will retain Dr. Schacht, who has the support of the Army, which now is stronger since the reoccupation of the Rhineland. The correspondent adds that the feeling is growing that Germany has not scored a "walk-over" by her Rhineland policy. Not only is this the case . in official quarters but among the general public, chiefly through the fear that the policy itself is driving Britain into the arms of France and Belgium and thereby compassing her own encirclement. This feeling has been intensified since Poland came down emphatically. on the side of collective security. "The Times" correspondent says life proceeds normally in Berlin, but ,N a jp leaders are'in constant conclave regarding preparations to stand an economic siege or to resist a military invasion, though the latter now is not seriously expected.