QUESTION OF HONOUR

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21733, 16 March 1936, Page 11

QUESTION OF HONOUR

GERMAN ATTITUDE OVERWHELMING POWER OP FRANCE (mtrrxo ra»s» ißßOcunot —copiaio*r.) (Received March 15, 8 p.xn.) ;. LONDON, March 14. The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says: “The general view in Berlin is that Germany will neither withdraw troops from the Rhineland nor surrender to a show of force, however overwhelming. In the Rhineland, as the Germans see it, is a question of their fundamental rights. As national military action, it is believed, would mean a European disaster, and many think that sanctions would not be much better, two questions, therefore, are anxiously being asked:

“(1) Whether a German action constituting no military threat to anyone must become a cause of European war. “(2) Can no formula be found by which Germany can help to regularise the position in the Rhineland without being compelled to give way on a question of honour?” “Official Diplomatic Correspondence” declares that the Locarno Treaty at a crucial point made the defence of Germany against France impossible by placing such overwhelming forces at France’s disposal that the guarantor powers could not successfully help a Germany thus deprived of the power of resistance or even of attack. The position when the Locarno Treaty was signed was different from that now created by the erection of France’s vast frontier fortifications, and her policy of alliances with Poland and Czechoslovakia. In face of this, Germany’s reaction seemed trifling. ECONOMIC DANGERS IN GERMANY POSITION OP DR. SCHACHT LONDON, March 14, The Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” states that leaders of the Reichswehr have also counselled moderation in supporting Dr. H. Schacht (president of. the Reichsbank), whose position is subject to considerable speculation. Nazi extremists seek to make the most of the opportunity to encompass his downfall. Financial authorities, however, are strongly behind Dr. Schacht, and consider that his dismissal would mean the economic collapse of Germany. The Berlin Stock Exchange reflected this uneasiness.