MR EDEN SPEAKS

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

MR EDEN SPEAKS

View of Rhineland Problem BRITAIN'S TASK GOVERNMENT'S POLICY INDICATED fijNITEU PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPTEIGHT.) (Received March 10, 8.42 p.m.) LONDON, March 9. The attitude of the British Government to developments in Europe through German reoccupation of the Rhineland was revealed in the House of Commons by the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden). "There is, I am thankful to say, no reason to suppose that the present German action implies a threat of hostilities," said Mr Eden. "The German Government, in its memorandum, expresses unchangeable longing for the real pacification of Europe, and willingness to conclude a non-aggression pact with France and Belgium.

"In case, however,' there should be any misunderstanding, the Government thinks it necessary to say that should there take place, during the period which will be necessary for consideration of the new situation, any actual attack upon France or Belgium, which would constitute a violation of Article 2 of the Locarno treaty, his Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, notwithstanding the German repudiation of the treaty, would regard itself as in honour bound to come in the manner provided in the treaty to the assistance of the country attacked.

Confidence Shaken

"The course taken by the German Government, in unilaterally repudiating the obligations into which it had freely entered, and in simultaneously acting as if they did not exist, both complicates and aggravates the international situation. The abrogation of the Locarno treaty and the occupation of the demilitarised zone have profoundly shaken confidence in any engagement into which the Government of Germany may in the future enter. "There can be no one in this House, or this country, who would wish to condone or excuse such a step. It strikes a severe blow at that principle of the sanctity of treaties which underlies the whole structure of international relations.' Mr Eden began his speech with an account of the visit of the German Ambassador in London (Dr. von Hoesch) to the Foreign Office on March 6, at Mr Eden's invitation. During this visit, said the Foreign Secretary, he had made _to the Ambassador a proposal which the British Ambassador in Berlin had made to Herr Hitler on December 13—that the Powers signatory to the treaty of Locarno should proceed with the negotiation of an air pact, the conclusion of which, in the opinion of the British Government, would stabilise the relations of the three great western powers. Mr Eden added that the British Government was genuinely anxious to convert into practical results the sentiments so often expressed in speeches. Memorandum Discussed

On March 7 the German Ambassador had again visited the Foreign Office and, informing Mr Eden that he had a communication of very great importance to make, handed him a memorandum. Mr Eden had drawn attention to the salient points in the memorandum and at the same time told the Ambassador that he deeply regretted hearing of the action the German Government was taking towards the demilitarised Rhineland zone. The Ambassador would appreciate that this amounted to unilateral repudiation of a treaty freely negotiated and freely signed. Mr Eden said that Herr Hitler, at their first meeting in Berlin, had drawn a clear distinction between the treaty of Locarno and the i treaty of Versailles, and had emphasised that Germany had freely signed the former. Mr Eden had also told the German Ambassador that he was aware of the view of the German Government of the effect of the FrancoSoviet pact. That view was. not, however, shared by other signatories to the ' treaty, and if the German Government, in spite of the opinions of other signatories, still maintained its own conclusion, then there-was a proper arbitration procedure available. Germany and the League To later parts of the German Ambassador's communication to Mr Eden in his interview, Mr Eden had answered that his Majesty's Govment would have to consider these; but clearly a declaration about Germany's attitude to the league was most important.

The Ambassador had informed Mr Eden at this point that the German Government's decision to seek re-entry to the league was to a large extent due to its desire to meet the views frequently expressed by the Prime Minister and himself, emphasising that the policy of his Majesty's Government was based on the league and on collective security. Germany, the Ambassador said, was willing to share in such a policy and there were no conditions attached to her return to the league.

While the German .Government expected that in due time the League Covenant would be divorced from the Treaty of Versailles and the dispute about colonial equality of rights settled, these were not conditions but matters for negotiation after Germany's return to the league. "I do. not need to emphasise the importance of this communication," Mr Eden proceeded. "It may be well for me to inform the House of steps which are to be taken in the immediate future. The French and Belgian Governments, with the full knowledge and agreement of his Majesty's Government, have asked that the League Council shall be summoned as soon as possible to consider the situation.

League Council Meeting "I must emphasise that the League Council is the proper body

for this purpose. The council will, it is understood, meet on Friday next, and no decisions can, of course, be reached before that meeting, but an exchange of views will take place in Paris to-morrow among representatives of the four Locarno Powers (other than Germany). These conversations will be resumed at Geneva on the following day. His Majesty's Government will be represented at these conversations by the Lord Privy Seal (Lord Halifax) and myself. "The House will no doubt expect some immediate indication of the ideas and intentions with which a representative of his Majesty's Government must approach at Geneva a problem the development of which is as yet obscure in some important respects. It is clearly desirable to do this, for no one can fail to realise the stabilising force of the clear-sighted and united British opinion in the affairs of Europe at this juncture. "Arduous Enterprise" . "Let us not delude ourselves. It must be obvious to all that in exacting circumstances the transition from a bad past to a better future will be an arduous and hazardous enterprise. "One of the main foundations of the peace of western Europe has been cut away, and if peace is to be secured there is a manifest duty to rebuild it.

"It is in that spirit that we may approach the new proposals of the German Chancellor. His Majesty's Government will examine them frankly and objectively, to find out to what extent they represent a means by which the shaken structure of peace can again be strengthened. In the anxious circumstances of the present time I feel justified in asking all sections of opinion in this House for their support in the exacting and arduous task which now confronts the combined wisdom and statesmanship of the world."