REFERENCE TO WAR DEBTS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21745, 30 March 1936, Page 11

REFERENCE TO WAR DEBTS

U.S. SENATE DISCUSSES EUROPE

REPUDIATION CLASSED WITH

HITLER’S ACT

ftTOTTBB FKSSS ASSOCIATION —COPTMOHT.) (Received March 29, 8.41 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 27. For the first time since Herr Hitler remilitarised the Rhineland the Senate engaged in a general discussion of the European situation today, and several Senators took the opportunity of comparing morally the Allies’ repudiation of war debts with Herr Hitler’s jettisoning of the

Locarno Treaty. The naval treaty recently signed in London was also criticised for its limited scope, Senator J. T. Robinson describing it as disappointing. He added, however: “There is a measure of gratification in the fact that Britain. France, and the United States were able to reach even a very limited accord.” Senator W. E. Borah, as usual, took a strong stand against the Allied debtors, “There is not a

contract or treaty involved in the chaotic conditions which now embroil Europe which entails any greater obligation than the obligation to pay these war debts,” he said. Mentioning Herr Hitler’s violation of the Versailles Treaty and Sjignor Mussolini’s violation of the League Covenant, Senator Borah said: “There is no difference in law and in morals between the act of Germany and the act of Italy, and the acts of those nations which repudiated debts they had contracted to pay.”

FRENCH TO PATROL FROinTIER

ALLEGED CROSSING BY GERMAN AEROPLANES

(Received March 29, 8.31 p.m.) PARIS, March 28. The Air Ministry announces that a special corps of fast police aeroplanes has been established to patrol the frontier, especially along the Maginot defence line, over which two German aeroplanes are alleged to have flown recently. v The new machines will be fitted with special cameras enabling them to photograph “suspect” aeroplanes, thus providing concrete evidence to support diplomatic protests.

GERMAN AEROPLANE OVER HOLLAND

REPORTED PHOTOGRAPHING OF BARRACKS

(Received March 29, 9.36 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, March 28. A German aeroplane flew over Venlo and is reported to have photographed the barracks.

SERIOUS FINANCIAL EFFECTS IN PARIS

BANK OF FRANCE LOSES

DEPOSITS

(Received March 29, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 27. The Paris correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that Government loans have been steadily falling since the occupation of the Rhineland, and in some cases have

reached new low records. The most ominous figure in the Bank of France return is an increase of nearly £14,000,000 in private discounts, indicating the withdrawal of deposits (especially in the eastern districts), which, however, has ceased. The city editor of the “Daily Telegraph” says that the French have been transferring cash to London, and only official intervention has prevented the franc from depreciating the level at which gold would be withdrawn from France. The bank rate was raised to 5 per cent, after bear attacks on the franc, which reached gold export point this morning. This was regarded as a further indication of the Government’s intention to remain on the gold standard.

BRITAIN BOUND BY

TREATY

LONDON COMMENT ON MR EDEN’S SPEECH

(BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, March 27. “The Times” says; “Mr Eden’s speech has successfully put an end to the notion that the Government has any intention of committing itself too deeply to treaties which would put a lower value on peace itself than upon the instruments created for its observance. But there has been a breach of a treaty that binds Britain. No imaginable court could hold that the British guarantee to maintain the treaty was not applicable to the events of March 7. “The adherence of Germany to an i nderstanding in western Europe

will avert any danger. British intervention might stereotype ancient animosities, and the statesmen of France and Belgium have shown that if a way can be cleared they are more than ready to accept the opportunity of a fuly negotiated peace.” The “Morning Post” says; “Mr Eden’s policy seems wise as well as pacific. Proposals have been made to Germany which she is free to reject at her pleasure and nothing is threatened against her, but it is wisdom for Britain to maintain this attitude, 1 as it would be folly to discard the friendship and alliance