GERMAN MOVES TROOPS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21727, 9 March 1936, Page 11

GERMAN MOVES TROOPS

LOCARNO TREATY DENOUNCED

Demilitarised Rhineland Now Reoccupted STEP OFFICIALLY CALLED “SYMBOLIC” Proposals and Conditions Submitted To Powers UNITED TRESS ASSOCIATION—COTTRIGHT.) * (Received March 8, 9.2 p.m.) BERLIN, March 7. . German troops marched into the demilitarised Rhineland tone early this morning. Before Herr Hitler had uttered a word Germany had flouted the Versailles Treaty. German troops entered Cologne early this morning. It is officially stated the remainder of the troops will move In on Sunday, when the Rhineland garrison will consist of 19 battalions of infantry, 13 artillery detachments, two flights of pursuit aeroplanes, and two detachments of anti-aircraft guns. The majority will be stationed along the Rhine and in the Rhine Valley between the Black Forest and the Rhine, small garrisons will be posted at Aix-la-Chapelle, Treves, and Saarbrucken, and air squadrons at Cologne, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, and Mannheim. Diplomatic representatives of the Locarno powers have been informed that the reoccupation of the Rhineland is symbolic and confined to a few battalions. The Government does not intend to carry out reoccupation in force. Meanwhile, the British, French, Belgian, and Italian Ambassadors called individually on Herr Hitler and received a memorandum reported to be a denunciation of the Locarno Treaty on account of the Franco-Soviet pact, declaring that Germany regards herself as free from the stipulations affecting the Rhineland, expressing willingness to agree to a new demilitarised zone—provided France and Belgium also demilitarise zones on their own frontiers—and offering to sign a 25-year non-aggression pact, provided Britain and Italy are guarantors. The memorandum is also said to express willingness to conclude an air pact in the west and a non-aggression pact, including Lithuania, in the east. The memorandum adds: “Germany expects the colonial question to be settled within a reasonable time through friendly negotiation. If all these matters are agreed to Germany is prepared to return to the League of Nations, but the league covenant must be separated from the Versailles Treaty.”

FRANCE TAKES PRECAUTIONS

MAY ASK LEAGUE FOR SANCTIONS “BRUTAL VIOLATION OF TREATY” (Received March 8, 9.51 p.m.) LONDON, March 7. The tendency in France has been .0 appeal for calmness. Nevertheless, all army leave has been stopped, officers and men being recalled by telegram. Fortifications are being manned and strengthened and detachments of mobile guards have been sent to reinforce the frontier police. These precautionary measures to protect the frontier are being taken tranquilly by the population there, which was expecting the Germans to re-enter the Rhineland for a week, through the arrival of German officers at various towns to prepare accommodation. Commentators expect France to ask at Geneva for financial and economic sanctions against Germany under the Stresa resolution drafted after Germany’s reimposition of conscription. This resolution was passed by the league, providing a committee representing Britain, Canada, China, Spain, France, Hungary, Turkey, Russia, and Jugoslavia, to propose measures to make the covenant more effective for collective security, especially defining economic financial measures applicable to a State endangering peace by unilateral repudiation of international obligations. It is considered that France will receive Britain’s support, because of Mr Eden’s recent statement in the House of Commons, and also as a counterpart to French support of Britain against Italy, while the Soviet am’ the Little Entente will ako support France. It is believed that France intends to insist that Germany re-evacuate the Rhineland, in which she demands support from Britain, Italy, and Belgium. The Paris newspapers generally condemn Germany’s “brutal violation of the treaty,” and declare that Germany cannot be trusted. The French have reoccupied their bridgehead at Kehl, which was evacuated under the Locarno Treaty. Thus French and German soldiers arc again facing each other. Meanwhile, the frontier zone which Franco strongly fortified, but is holding with skeleton troops, is bc* : ng brought to full strength from depots, although it has not yet been decided to call up reserves and new classes of conscripts. Holland still favours NEUTRALITY (Received March 8, 10.31 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, March 8.

The Government is considering Herr Hitler’s invitation, A spokesman pointed out that Holland has always maintained complete neutrality and is unlikely to change her policy, as that, might involve her in * European conflict.

FIELD GREY SEEN AGAIN

RHINELAND CITIES’ WELCOME

TROOPS POSTED ON FRENCH

FRONTIER

(Received March 8, 9.36 p.m.)

LONDON, March 7

For the first time since 1918 German field grey uniforms were seen in the historic cathedral square, of Cologne, once familiar to the khaki-clad British army of occupation, when a force of motorised cavalry, artillery, and infantry, fully equipped with modern armaments —mechanised machine-guns, mortars, anti-aircraft guns and anti-tank guns—marched in while Herr Hitler was still speaking in the Reichstag. When it was reported that troops were on the way, German flags were hoisted in all parts of the city and the facades of buildings disappeared behind masses of bunting. Windows were filled with sight-seers. General von Kluge, commanding th'' Munster district, who organised the reoccupation, took up his post, accompanied by local officials. Suddenly came the news that troops had arrived and the populace, singing “Deutschland Über Alles” and “Horstwessel” song, flocked to the station and saw a long column of men 'with full war equipment streaming out. The crowd, flinging flowers, closed about them until only the sloped rifles could be seen above a mass of heads. A tumultuous roar of cheers and greetings drowned the regimental bands’ marching tune. The 38th Infantry Regiment, wearsteel helmets with red and white carnations (the colours of Cologne) —recalling that they formed part of | the garrison in the city before the | war, were especially warmly wel- i corned. I j French Frontier Reached j There were similar scenes of rejoicing in various towns in the j Rhineland, including the Aix-la-Cha- j pelle, Treves, Saarbrucken, Coblenz, and Mannheim, Thousands, including children who were seeing Ger- j man soldiers for the first time, j marched alongside the troops to the barracks, singing and cracking jokes. German troops reached the French frontier at dusk, at the German end of the Kehl bridgehead in Strasburg, 200 infantry taking up their position and being the first in the neighbourhood of France since 1918. Hundreds of French inhabitants stood silently at the French end of the bridge and watched tbe Germans establish sentries. Celebrations throughout the Rhineland continued far into the night, with monster torchlight processions. Cologne’s famous cathedral bell, “Big Peter,” which was last rung when the British evacuated the city in January, 1926, boomed a welcome to the German troops. The Burgomaster of Frankfurt-on-Main telegraphed to Herr Hitler; “In this historic moment all citizens remember with grateful, enthusiasm and love him to whom we owe this long-awaited hour of liberation.”

HITLER SPEAKS

Impassioned Words

To Reichstag

GERMAN CLAIMS

BITTER ATTACK ON SOVIET

(UMTT.D PRESS ASSOCIATION--I",OTTRIG HT.)

(Received March 8. 10.47 p.m.)

BERLIN. March 7

Herr Hitler entered the Reichstag at noon and declared; “General

Goering summoned you at my orders. It is a meeting which the people will instinctively regard as

decisive.” There were dramatic moments during the meeting. Herr Streicher' sat next to Herr Hitler, and behind sat General Goering, contemplatively stroking his chin. Herr Hitler was frequently checked by applause, and the whole assembly rose and cheered without restraint for half a minute when the reoccupation of the Rhineland was announced.

The session ended with a triple “Heil, Plitler,” and the singing of the “Horstwessel” and “Deutschland Über Alles.”

Wearing a brown shirt, clutching a handkerchief in his clenched hand and emphasising sentences with i abrupt gestures, Herr Hitler re- | turned repeatedly throughout his i speech to a denunciation of the | Franco-Soviet pact which, he asi serted, destroyed any real equili- | brium and contradicted both the I letter and spirit of the Locarno ! treaty. Germany was always ready to fulfil the Locarno treaty, he said, so long as others did likewise. Herr Hitler added: “My conclu- ; sions on the new situation are hard, i I bitterly regret denouncing the i Locarno treaty, but I have tried ; repeatedly in the last three years to build a Franco-German bridge of understanding. It is infinitely tragic that after many years ol honest endeavour to win French friendship a military alliance should | have been concluded of which we j know the beginning but not the end. There may be incalculable conseI quences unless Providence has more | mercy than men deserve.” | Passionate Appeal ' Herr Hitler denied that political : activities against the Versailles | Treaty were intended to damage France, which had not suffered by the restoration of equality to Germany. He added: “I cannot only ; make sacrifices for international rapprochement. I must also make them for my own people who would rather shoulder all sacrifices than j surrender their honour.” ! Herr Hitler’s voice remained firm j until the peroration, when he j pleaded, sobbing, with outstretched I arms for the people’s support, sayj ing: “Many European statesmen conI sider me fantastic, or at least a j burdensome scaremonger. NeverI theless, I never feel like a dictator, [ but like a leader with plenipotentiary I powers. I am often oppressed by | worries and pass sleepless nights. I I ask the German people to strengthen me in the struggle for true peace and to stand up for their honour.” Herr Hitler then reviewed the years since the Great War, declaring: “Germany, above all nations, made sacrifices for President Wilson’s idealism: yet the tension has increased more than ever. The god of war has not laid down his armour but has marched through the world more heavily armed than ever. Warlike Intention Denied “The nations forced Germany to take credits and simultaneously destroyed her export trade, blaming her afterwards for unwillingness to pay.” The European nations, alter all, were members of a family. If common sense were not employed there would be explosions leaving a field of chaos behind. It was unwise to believe, in so small a house as Europe, that it was possible to have different conceptions of right. “The world often speaks of Germany’s problem, which many consider lies in the diffei’encc between the German regime and that of other countries. Others sec it in Germany’s alleged war lust, dormant aggressive intentions and devilish ability to get the better of opponents. “The real German problem is that 67,000,000 Germans live in a restricted area and claim just the same right to live as others. They have as little longing as the British and French to die as heroes for fantastic ideals.

“Soviet Interference”

“Another German problem is Soviet interference in German affairs. Germany’s rearmament is .not a revival of the European problem, but its solution. Germany has saved other nations from Bolshevism. Europe is divided into two parts—one composed of independent national states to whom we are tied by history and culture, and the other governed by intolerant Bolshevist philosophy. “It is regrettable that after all Germany’s efforts to come to terms. France should conclude the FrancoSoviet Pact. I proposed everything possible to lessen Franco-German tensions, and all was rejected. “Britain, with a sense of reality, accepted my proposal for a restrictive naval agreement, which is all that remains of our disarmament efforts.”

Herr Hitler described Russian arming, declaring that it was contrary to the spirit of Locarno, adding that the Soviet championed Bolshevism. Would Paris become another Moscow?

“Historic Hour”

After speaking for 70 minutes, Herr Hitler read and handed to foreign Ambassadors a memorandum in which he stated that it was indisputable that the Franco-Soviet treaty was directed solely against Germany. “Russia assumes obligations far beyond the stipulations of the League

NAZIS JUBILANT

THOUSANDS CELEBRATE IN BERLIN REOCCUPATION CLAIMED TO BE PEACEFUL GESTURE (UNITED PKES3 ASSOCIATION —COPIRILiHT.) (Received March 8, 10.38 p.m.) BERLIN, March 7. Berlin celebrated the “erasure of the last stains on German honour” with a torchlight procession of 25,000 jubilant Nazis, led by Herr Hitler’s goose-stepping guards. Wearing black uniforms and black helmets, the guards marched with fixed bayonets through surging crowds of people, who waved flags and handkerchiefs, on the way to salute Herr Hitler,, Dr. Goebbels, and other dignitaries, who stood on the balcony of the Chancellery in a blaze of searchlights. Herr Hitler raised his arm continuously as the procession passed. Radio stations broadcast a revised programme packed with patriotic items. Dr. Goebbels (Minister for Propaganda) thanked the Rhinelanders for their message of gratification and emphasised that the reoccupation, was really a peace gesture promising a new and better future for all Europe. The troops had entered the Rhineland not thinking of revenge but only of peace.

MOVE DESCRIBED AS

BLUFF

UNOFFICIAL VIEW IN

MOSCOW (Received March 8, 11.2 p.m.) MOSCOW, March 8. In unofficial circles Herr Hitler’s action is regarded as a last desperate effort to bluff France into non-ratification of the Franco-Soviet pact. Critics describe Herr Hitler as the madman of Europe and recall M. Stalin’s recent remark that “nowadays wars are not declared — they simply start.” “Kovno” says: “Hitler’s offer of a pact is well received, but there is some concern about whether it will mean German interference in Lithuanian domestic affairs."

LEAGUE COUNCIL MAY MEET

GENEVA SHOCKED BY HITLER’S ACTION (Received March 8, 9.3 p.m.) GENEVA, March 7. Those in league circles are shocked by the German denunciation of the Locarno treaty. It is believed in some quarters that Signor Mussolini persuaded Herr Hitler to strike while the league was occupied with the Abyssinian war. It is believed in league secretariat circles that the League Council will be summoned on March 9. REPORTED APPROACH TO ITALY (Received March 8, 9.3 p.m.) LONDON, March 7. The Rome correspondent of the Exchange News Agency says it is now revealed that Germany approached Italy during the week asking her to join in a denunciation of the Locarno treaty, but Signor Mussolini refused.

“MORTAL BLOW TO

SANCTIONS” FAVOURABLE COMMENT IN

ROME (Received March 8, 9.35 p.m.)

ROME, March 8

Commentators express the opinion that Germany’s return to the league would be valuable as a counter to England and France, who dominate the league council. Moreover', it is believed to be a mortal blow to sanctions.

CROWDS CHEEK MEN

AEROPLANES OVER COLOGNE

(Received March 8, B.a(i p.m.)

COLOGNE, March 7

Crowds excitedly cheered the German troops entering the city at noon. The troops consisted of a battalion of anti-aircraft artillery which halted in front of the main post office while the Lord Mayor, in official robes, welcomed them and handed a bouquet of flowers to the commander.

Troops also arrived at Deutz. A number of military aeroplanes are flying over Cologne.

Covenant,” he stated. “France is bound to military action against Germany even if not entitled to it by the league’s decisions. France thus claims for herself the right to decide who is the aggressor.

“The agreement, in practice, means nothing other than a decision to act as if the league and the Locarno treaty did not exist.” Herr Hitler finished by announcing the reoccupation of the Rhineland:

“This is the historic hour at which German troops are now entering their garrisons in the western provinces of the Reich,” he said. “We join them in a solemn oath not to yield before any power of force. In the effort to restore the honour of the nation we will succumb rather than capitulate.” General Goering announced that the Reichstag had been dissolved to enable the people .to vote on the Government’s policy on March 29.

Such of the cable news in this issue as is so headed has appeared in "The Times,” and is sent to this paper by special permission. It should be understood that the opinions arc not those of "The Times” unless expressly slated to be so.

FRANCE DEFENDS SOVIET PACT

German Interpretation Challenged

PROJECTED APPEAL TO

LEAGUE

(united press association—copyright.)

(Received March 8, 10.5 p.m.)

LONDON, March 8

Herr Hitler’s denunciation of the Locarno treaty produced immediate repercussions in every capital in Europe.

. In Paris the Foreign Minister (M. Flandin) said in a statement to the press that the Government had in the Chamber of Deputies given utterance to aldesire for a FrancoGerman rapprochement, in spite of Germany not replying to overtures for a year, notably in November, 1935, when the French Ambassador asked insistently that Germany should negotiate a Franco-German air pact. M. Flandin then revealed that the French Ambassador had received instructions on February 29 to seek urgent audience with Herr Hitler to obtain bases on which there might be a possibility of rapprochement. “During an audience with Herr Hitler on March 2, at which Baron von Neurath was present.” said M. Flandin, “a reply was given that the question was coming up for the German Government’s consideration so that definite proposals might be made as soon as possible. Germany asked, to facilitate negotiations, that the Ambassadors visit should be secret, do which we acceded. Baron von Neurath to-day received a memorandum in which Germany repudiated the Locarno treaty and announced her intention of acting immediately. Nevertheless, the treaty expressly stipulates that it ought to remain in force until the Council of the League of Nations has given a contrary decision.” Franco-Soviet Pact M. Flandin added: “Germany's interpretation of the Franco-Soviet pact is entirely inaccurate, especially when she declares it to be-in-compatible with the Locarno treaty. Germany has paid no attention to the justification, which France has been furnishing nearly all the year, and which has received the support of other signatories to the Locarno treaty. “However much Germany felt aggrieved, its Government ought, if diplomatic channels appeared to be insufficient, to have submitted her grievances to the procedure of conciliation and arbitration prescribed by the Locarno treaty.” M. Flandin said that the French Ambassador (M. Francois-Poncet), when he was given the German note, asked whether it constituted a reply to the French request for suggestions for a rapprochement. Ho was told that the document contained that reply. Accordingly, Franco-German reconciliation was to V>ave as a basis a unilateral denunciation of a freely concluded treaty, the authors of which had set themselves the task of preparing such a reconciliation. Moreover, it was to be accompanied by the acceptance of a fait accompli.

The French Government had carefully examined the German note and, without prejudice to other measures, had established contact with other signatories to the Locarno treaty to secure common opposition to its repudiation. France had decided to bring the question before the Council of the League of Nations.

BRITAIN RECEIVES

HITLER’S NOTE

CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS

URGED

(Received March 8, 9,31 p.m.)

LONDON. March 7

The German Ambassador (Dr. von Hoesch) handed Herr Hitler’s memorandum to the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden), who later saw the French, Italian, and Belgian Ambassadors. He will see Mr Baldwin at Chequers. Cabinet will discuss the memorandum on Monday. “Those desiring peace should take Herr Hitler at his word,” declares Mr George Lansbury. “Europe and the world are reaping the harvest of bitterness, hatred, distrust and disillusionment, sown by penal peace treaties. Britain and France do not need any mobilisation other than the mobilisation of common sense. Any attempt to gain security by universal slaughter will fail.” The “Observer” declares in a leading article: “We must keep cool heads and just hearts. Britain’s first need is to repair her own defences; her second is to consider Herr Hitler’s brilliant and timely proposals in a spirit of sympathy, goodwill and sober realism.”

SPEECH BROADCAST

SHORT-WAVE RECEPTION IN

CHRISTCHURCH

Herr Hitler’s speech was broadcast by the German short-wave stations and was received fairly well in Christchurch. It began at 11 o’clock on Saturday night (New Zealand time), and German speech continued until 12.35 a.m. At first Herr Hitler spoke quietly and clapping.could be heard at short intervals. Later, however, he became more excited and cheers mingled with the clapping. When he finished there were three cheers, followed by further applause and the singing of two songs. The first news in English about Hitler’s speech was heard through Daventry when the announcer, at 1.30 a.m., New Zealand time, said that important news was coming in from all over Europe.

ALOOF ATTITUDE AT WASHINGTON

1 OFFICIAL INDICATION OF ! UNCONCERN I I NEWSPAPER SEES DRIFT TO | WAR i ’ | j (UNITED PRESS AJSOCIATIOW—COPIRIGHT.J i (Received March 8, 9.51 p.m.) ' ' NEW YORK, March 7. While the press of the country is featuring at great length the “March on the Rhine” the complete text of Herr Hitler’s declaration and com-' ment from various capitals, Ameri-! can officials, in the words of a correspondent of the “New York; Times,” “hastily assumed the atti- j tude of aloof observers.” The German Ambassador (Dr.! Hans Luther) called a “conference of j correspondents, reiterated the i reasons given by Herr Hitler for the j abrogation of the Versailles andj Locarno treaties, and expressed the j opinion that the step “will benefit the United States.” The State Department’s only comment was that the Rhine question did not arise in the treaty of Berlin, which was the only instrument to which the United States was committed, as it was not a signatory to the treaty of Versailles. The Washington correspondent of | the “New, York Herald-Tribune” j states that informally there is geh- 1 eral agreement among Washington! observers that “Italy is likely to be a beneficiary from the situation, and the diversion created by Herr Hitler is regarded as likely to put an end to proposals to apply further sanctions against Italy.” “Tendency Towards War” On possible effects on the FrancoSoviet pact the correspondent indicates that there is a difference of opinion, some quarters holding that Herr Hitler’s move has now given the French an opportunity to change their minds before final ratification of the pact, with a possible isolation of the Soviet, which is considered to be the primary objective of Herr Hitler’s foreign policy; other quarters maintain, however, that the action of Germany to-day guarantees the ratification of an alliance between France and the Soviet. The “New York Times,” in a leading article, says: “Germany has resorted to unilateral action in plain disregard of her existing commitments. Herr Hitler’s action adds to the grave problems with which European democracies are confronted.” The “New York Herald-Tribune” says: “Germany has suddenly cocked a gun which is unquestionably capable of blowing Europe into that general war towards which the Continent has seemed more and I more steadily tending. One may! guess that Germany will again win j her gamble, as she has at every i stale of her long struggle to break j out of the bounds imposed on her 1 in 1918.” | BELGIUM SUSPENDING JUDGMENT TROOPS’ LEAVE STOPPED ON FRONTIER j (Received March 8, 11.21 p.m.) I BRUSSELS, March 8. The Prime Minister (M. Paul van Zeeland), M. Deveze (Minister for Defence), and M. Hymans (Liberal leader) conferred, after which / M. van Zeeland announced that he had replied to Germany that Belgium was reserving her attitude to the denunciation of* Locarno, pending consultations with London, Paris, and Rome. Colonels of certain frontier regiments stopped their men’s leave on their own initiative. REPERCUSSIONS ON EXCHANGES MOST SERIOUS EFFECTS IN VIENNA LONDON, March 7. The developments caused a flurry on foreign exchange markets. Exports of capital from the Continent strengthened sterling and dollars. Securities on the Paris Bourse are weak, but the Berlin market is strong and most securities are up several points. The most serious repercussions were at Vienna, where there was a great slump on the street market, j it being almost impossible for set-1 lers to get rid of shares. i