SATISFACTION IN BERLIN

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21729, 11 March 1936, Page 11

SATISFACTION IN BERLIN

FRANCE DISAPPOINTED BRITISH STAND EXPLAINED TO DOMINIONS (MtTBB PBE33 ASSOCIATION-COPYBIGHT.) (Received March 10, 10.51 p.m.) LONDON, March 9. After Mr Eden's departure for Paris alMhe High Commissioners were received to-night at Downing Street, where Britain's attitude to the Rhineland situation was further explained. The Australian Associated Press understands that the British and Australian delegates at the League Council meeting will favour the condemnation of Germany's unilateral denunciation of the Locarno Treaty and will emphasise that respect for freely negotiated treaties must be the basis for any attempt to rebuild European peace, but they will resist French or Belgian demands for any form of sanctions against Germany because, although the treaty has been broken, aggresfion has not been committed. The Berlin correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says that Mr Eden's speech has reassured Germany. In Paris and Berlin The "Berliner Tageblatt" says the speech contains what it had to contain from a British and league point of view, namely, formal condemnation of the German step and necessary consoling words for France. The "Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung" says: "Mr Eden's declaration was what we expected. It opens the door to reasonable conversations about the future." The "Kolnische Zeitung" says: "Germany recognises with satisfaction that the British Government has not lost its head and does not regard Germany's resumption of lull sovereignty over the German Bhineland as a hostile act." A Paris message says that Mr Eden's speech surprised and disappointed France, especially the statement th«t Britain is prepared to examine objectively Herr Hitler's proposals. It was hoped that Mr Eden would tupport M. Sarraut's point-blank refusal to negotiate as long as German troops remained in the demilitarised zone. By failing to do so, it w maintained, the British Government has accepted Herr Hitler's fait •ccompli.

Negotiations Thought Inevitable The Paris correspondent of the "News Chronicle" says it is beginning to be realised that negotiations with Germany are inevitable and that the Government's attitude 4ias merely made matters far more difficult than is necessary. The Brussels correspondent of the "News Chronicle" says it is authoritatively stated that the Belgian Government will oppose sanctions against Germany for two main reasons: (1) Because, juridically, Germany has not perpetrated any aggression against France and Belgium: (2) because it is impossible to ask Italy to join in sanctions against Germany when Italy is her«elf subject to sanctions. The Belgian Government is sceptical about Herr Hitler's offer of new treaties, but expresses the opinion that it would blunder brutually if it were to reject the Cterman proposals, as it is felt that nothing can be lost by negotiating wtth Germany.