HITLER'S PLEDGES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21728, 10 March 1936, Page 9

HITLER'S PLEDGES

NOW REGARDED AS VALUELESS

SUPPOSED PROMISE TO HELP

(united press association—copyright.)

(Received March 9, 8.5 p.m.)

LONDON, March 8

The Berlin correspondent of "The Times" interprets Herr Hitler's speech as an attempt to placate Britain and to throw the responsibility on France for Germany's action which, however, does not entail the mere rejection of a one-sided clause of the Versailles Treaty, but a repudiation, of the whole of the* freelynegotiated treaty of Locarno. This treaty was spontaneously signed by Germany and repeatedly reasserted by Herr Hitler, who declared thai he regarded the demilitarised zone as a contribution towards the appeasement of Europe. Hitherto Herr Hitler has boasted that he has never broken a personal pledge. That assertion is now invalidated.

The Geneva correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian" says that the overwhelming opinion in diplomatic, journalistic and official circles is that Herr Hitler's word and signature are alike valueless. Few Governments will consider concluding any agreement with Germany in the future.

Herr Hitler himself reaffirmed the Locarno Treaty in 1935. His repudiation is the application of the maxim in "Mcin Kampf" that treaties should be repudiated wherever convenient.

There is reason to believe that Herr Hitler told Signor Mussolini in November that Germany would help him if he held out until the spring. Germany's present action seems to be in fulfilment of that promise. There will be a tendency to say that the Abyssinian dispute must be ended at all costs in the face of this new menace to the peace of Europe. Moreover, Italy is unlikely to lose the opportunity of blackmailing other powers. The Rome correspondent of the ''Daily Mail" says that while it is denied that Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini arranged the denouncement of the Locarno Treaty, Italy is delighted, believing that Herr Hitler's action will greatly strengthen Italy's position because France will increasingly value Italy's friendship and will not wish to do anything to offend her.

HITLER'S APPEAL TO

FRANCE

COYERMIENT ACCI'SEI) OK

DEI.AYINC PHILK ATION

(Received March 9, 7.5 p.m.)

BERLIN, March 8

A Government communique repeats Herr Hitler's statement that the French Government held up the publication of Herr Hitler's interview with M. Jouvenal (containing Germany's appeal for French friendship) until the Franco-Soviet pact was ratified in the Chamber of Deputies.

The communi([ue says: "The interview was known to the French Ambassador the same day as it was given. It must have been known by the French Government on the following day. It was only after the ratification, namely, a week after the interview, that the French Government instructed its Ambassador to ask Ilerr Hitler to define his offer more precisely. AUSTRIA ANXIOUS ihtlkk'k omission of an assirancl (h'eceived March !>, 7.5 p.m.) VJKNNA, March It. The press is nervous. The "Tageblatt" says: "We miss something vital from Ilerr Hitler's declaration, namely an offer to respect Austria's integrity." The "Rcichsposf" regards the offer to rejoin the league as aimed at placating England. It expresses the opinion that this action will be considered most important because of the Halo-Abyssinian dispute.

BRITAIN RLAMLD IN ROME

INSISTENCE ON SANCTIONS

AGAINST ITALY

(Received March 9, 7.8 p.m.)

ROME, March 8. Italian statesmen are silent, but the press insists that Germany would not have acted if British insistence on sanctions had not distracted the attention of the rest of Europe.

HITLER'S AIR FACT PROPOSAL

EARLIER BRITISH SUGGESTION

(BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.* (Received March 9, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, March 9. One of the points made in Herr Hitler's memorandum, namely, the proposal for an air pact, that representations had, with the full knowledge of the French Government, already been conveyed to the German Government by the British Foreign Secretary, stating Britain's anxiety to enter on discussions among the western powers on such a project.

To this confidence the present action has dealt a severe blow, though we do not say it is necessarily a fatal one."

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