CHALLENGE TO FRANCE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21744, 28 March 1936, Page 15

CHALLENGE TO FRANCE

“IF YOU ATTACK US” ♦ : t ELECTION SPEECH BY GENERAL GOERING HITLER’S CONTEMPT OF “GESTURES” (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received March 27, 9.42 p.m.) BERLIN, March 26. The election campaign is gathering speed and power. Herr Hitler made his eighth speech in the huge machinery hall at the fair grounds in Leipzig, where in 1930 he declared that heads, would roll when he came into power. Indicating himself and the German people as representing the greatest power in the world—namely, German democracy—Herr Hitler declared to-day: “I reply to those who urge a symbolic action as a token of our honesty. ‘Do not insult 67,000,000 people. We will not tolerate it. Those who seek gestures and symbolism will see both on election day.’ ” General Goering (Minister for Air), speaking at Karlsruhe, said: “We ask France: ‘Have we insulted or harmed, you, or even harmed your honour, by sending a few German battalions into German territory? Do you really want peace?’ To French former service men I say: ‘Grasp German hands above the heads of your own Government. You will not live to see us attack you, but if you attack us the ground will be strewn with dead. If France does not intend to attack Germany it is needless for her to worry about what the Germans are doing in their own country’.” GRAVITY REALISED BY GERMANS MR BALDWIN SPEAKS WITH HERR VON RIBBENTROP (Received March 27, 8.1 p.m.) LONDON, March 26. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that Mr Baldwin was able to impress Herr von Ribbentrop with the gravity of the situation and the necessity of making an advance towards the Locarno powers’ viewpoint. It was felt in British circles that Mr Baldwin’s personal representations might prove effective. It is gathered that Government officials in Berlin are already considering how far they can comply with the British suggestions, and are concentrating attention less on vague generalities about an ultimate security system and more on needs of the moment. Mr Eden’s speech in the House of Commons and Mr Baldwin’s talk to Herr von Ribbentrop are the outstanding events of the day. Herr von Ribbentrop’s interview with Mr Baldwin lasted for 90 minutes. It is officially denied that Mr Baldwin sent a message to Herr Hitler, through the envoy, but he no doubt reinforced Mr Eden’s appeal that Germany should make some suggestion to facilitate immediate negotiations. Herr von Ribbentrop, who is not expected to return to Germany until Saturday, is at present studying Mr ‘Eden’s speech. “The Times,” in a leading article, regards Mr Eden’s speech as the best —because the most spontaneous—since he became Foreign Secretary. Britain demands that Germany shall see for herself that some German move is indispensable to clear the debris of the old treaty from the site of the new. Germany cannot be the only power to refuse to share in preliminary construction. SATISFACTORY REACTION IN PARIS “STATESMANLIKE SPEECH” ' PARIS, March 26. “The first* reactions in Paris appear quite satisfactory from the French point of view,” said a spokesman at the Foreign Office after reading Mr Eden's speech. He added: “The speech was courageous and statesmanlike, in the face of difficult English public opinion.”