LEAGUE COUNCIL TO DECIDE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21732, 14 March 1936, Page 17

LEAGUE COUNCIL TO DECIDE

MR EDEN'S SUGGESTION TO GERMANY

LIMITATION OF RHINELAND TORCES

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT.) (Received March 13, 7.5 p,m.) LONDON, March 12. The following communique was issued after a meeting of the Locarno signatories:— "It is unanimously recognised by the representatives of the powers that the reoccupation of the demilitarised zone by Germany constitutes a clear violation of Articles 42 and 43 of'the Versailles Treaty and of the Locarno Treaty. It will be for the League Council, to which France and Belgium referred the matter, to pronounce upon this point." The League Council will meet at 11 a.m. on Saturday. It is now revealed that after the cabinet meeting last night Mr Eden summoned the German Ambassador and told him it would be difficult to exaggerate the gravity of the Government's view of the present situation. Because of the meeting of the Locarno powers the next day, the Government felt justified in asking Herr Hitler to make, at the earliest moment, a spontaneous contribution which would help in securing a settlement. Mr R. A. Eden (Foreign Secretary) then suggested, to illustrate the sincerity of Germany's desire for a settlement, that she should withdraw all but a "symbolic" number of troops from the zone; that she should not increase the number and should not fortify the zone, at least for a period necessary for pacts to be negotiated and the international situation to be settled. If Germany made such a spontaneous gesture, Mr Eden was sure it would be a valuable contribution, easing the international situation.

Possible Debate As Cabinet has reviewed the international situation at two meetings, no further meetings are anticipated at present, but Ministers will be available for informal consultations, if necessary, while discussions are proceeding. In the House of Commons, the Home Secretary (Sir John Simon), replying on behalf of the Prime Minister, stated that should circumstances require it arrangements would be made for a debate on the foreign situation next week. This evening Mr Eden entertained the principal French, Belgian, and Italian delegates at a dinner. Mr Ramsay Mac Donald, Sir John Simon, and Lord Halifax were also present. Conversations between Britain, France, Italy and Belgium began at Paris on Tuesday, and were continued in London to-day. A formal meeting of the four delegations tookplace early this evening. Following! the formal meeting, at which statements were made on behalf of each delegation, informal discussions took place between leading members of the delegations. A London message states that the meeting of the Locarno representatives is surrounded by the utmost secrecy. Most of the representatives arrived at the Foreign Office unobserved through side entrances, eluding photographers as well as the crowd.

'GESTURE" ASKED Of GERMANY

RECOGNITION OF CLAIMS LONDON, March 12. The gravity of the crisis is fully recognised in the newspaper comment. The "Daily Telegraph" says "Nothing could give such meaning . and solidity to Herr Hitler's ex- . pressed desire for a long term oi peace in the west, as to follow ur. his 'symbolic' occupation by £ 'symbolic' evacuation before anj demand is made. "There would be in that withdrawal more than a magnificenl gesture. It would be a practical assertion of the German desire for the inauguration of a regime oi European friendship, giving confidence in her adherence to any undertaking she might then sign. "We do not underrate the courage that such a reversal of policy would require on the part' of the leader of the German people; but a dictatorship would be meaningless could it not on an occasion rise to the height of great opportunity." * The "Daily Herald" appeals to Herr Hitler to make the gesture of the. withdrawal, pending negotiation, which would immeasurably strengthen his moral position at the League Council table and in the eyes of the world. It appeals to the French Prime Minister not to insist that this step be taken. "Whoever makes the gesture which clears the way for negotiations will earn the gratitude of the world," it states. "Whoever refuses would, if folly and obstinacy were to triumph, bear the blame for whatever consequences might follow." The "News Chronicle" strongly urges a gesture by Germany but says that in its absence any action, taken by the league by way of condemnation should be regarded as only a preliminary to a full arid fair recognition of Germany's claim to equality and its establishment by proper means. This would be followed by the immediate consideration of Herr Hitler's offer of appeasement on the widest terms of refer-! ence.