THE MOROCCAN SITUATION

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21989, 13 January 1937, Page 9

THE MOROCCAN SITUATION

♦Tension Appreciably Less" HERR HITLER'S * ASSURANCE ATTITUDE OF FRANCE MADE CLEAR »■ (BSITED I'KESS ASSOCIATION—COI'VKIGUT.'/ (Received January 12, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, January 11. The Paris correspondent of "The Times" says the tension about Morocco is appreciably less after Herr Hitler's remarks to M. Andre Poncet (French Ambassador to Berlin) at the diplomatic reception. Herr Hitler assured him that Germany had. no designs in Morocco, adding that he "much deplored press polemics." Both the assurance and the regrets are appreciated, but there is still surprise at the attitude of the German newspapers in spite of the ' Fuhrer's sentiments. M. Poncet replied that France was resolved to respect the integrity of Spain and the status of Morocco - within the existing agreements. However, less importance is attached to the denial of Colonel Beigbeder (High Commissioner for the Spanish zone), which is ranged with the German denials, than to his apparent realisation that France is not bluffing. It is stated that although no Frenchman would march to seize Spanish Morocco merely because the moment seemed 1 favourable,. not a single Frenchman would refuse to act to prevent German domination of the zone. Accordingly; failure by the French general staff to prepare for emer- „ gencies would be regarded as criminal. Now, although vigilance will not be relaxed, it is hoped that Spanish Morocco, at least for some time, has been removed from the danger list. ' The occasion has heartened Frenchmen as proof that possible danger causes the nation to unite, and that the voice of united France still commands respect. MILITARY ACTIVITY REPORTED ; (. . ■ ■ • . MAKING BASE FOR REBEL ; f OPERATIONS ">,*,' '; \ —— s£., GERMAN WARSHIPS ACTIVE IjLiJ-' " • • • ■ ■ -'/,, -;'!'• .wife — * ■ ■■." •■ • ■■■■■■■■'' •nc»u '• ■ ■"■)■ ,; -- jtit ';*" (Received January 13, 1.30 a.m.) ;*}%■ . ;..''.";.■■••■■••' ,£*' f LONDON, January 12. 3>'\"' The special correspondent of "The •*'/■? Times" at Tangier says that al- •''-;'-',' though some of the reports of GerV ■',■■ man military activity in the Spanish *"->.. zone are premature or exaggerated, -j',•*<;,"undoubtedly the < insurgents and • f-<• their German advisers hava trans- •-*.' <• gressed the spirit of the Spanish and .French treaty. • He adds that military organisation ■. in some respects is well advanced, but generally preparations are at an early stage, which does not suggest the imminence of .- , an offensive. „ The operations con■■j ~ sist rather of local defence to secure I _ • the zone as a base for insurgent V"' operations in Spain than as a jump- . , ing off place for other aclventures. " * Elementary preparations have been : ■ made for future accommodation for 20,000 troops, but there is no evii :•. • dence that such a force at present -,; . exists. ' ' There is •no conclusive evidence ■ that the fortification of Ceuta has ■.. been undertaken on a scale enabling the domination of Gibraltar, al- '. ' though German and' Spanish ex- ■ ~ perts have surveyed the area and ." .have begun some preparatory work. - but the defences are apparently not •..; . equipped with artillery. - ' *u^ ere are niysterious activities on • ,•, the coast east of Melilla, notably at Cap de Leau and the Chafa-rinas Is- *,..- lands. They may be fortifications or >?. ■■ a submarine base. Hitherto the fron- - tier of the. Spanish and French <■.,_ , zones has not been fortified, but the :-■ .Spanish posts are fully 'manned. s. ; - Several Arabs from the French side v!'„ -.were shot on approaching the fron- '■.'■ ' .. German warships have been ac- '. «ve on the east coast of the zone '.*•■,. lor several weeks, with the princi- \ t ■, Pal base at Melilla. German techni- •;..; y cai staffs occupy Melilla. The aero■'l , drome and the seaplane base are «,>.- .used by Junkers and Dornier ma- ■;:■[".'' chines. '<£ There is another air base at Tev-: tuan, where there are between 12 t: f and 30 German aircraft. A bomb:Y ~ proof shelter is reported to be ;;,- • under construction at Melilla. These vv?.- aircraft stations are the largest Ger- \-- man-controlled military establish- ,..;, ments in the zone. ** i ' Germans are carrying out another '- ' activity fraught with untold danp:. -. gers for the French in Morocco by .'- ; . representing themselves as the %'■'"££ future protectors, in. which ? : ~ine Nazis' anti-Semitism assists the ' res entation of Herr Hitler as the •' am P i . l . on of the Arabs. Germany is •■* »« C i Ultlng an Arab Fascist militia .and organising Moslem pilgrimages ? _ ,«t cheap rates. X DA NGERS THREATENING PEACE ..HITLER ON VALUE OF EARLY • RECOGNITION i\ . - ," " BERLIN, January 11. V. Herr Hitler at Hindenburg palace ,y- conducted a series of New Year re-.-^ceptions. ~£<'X ?&e French Ambassador (M. -;.;-'Andre Poncet), who is one of the tete*M; a +iL g diplomats, said he Hoped M" I? ,:" e y ear would bring real peace fflh-g'w all r-ations. : Bl^W+t rr Hitler replied that the cares Bis*;? the present time should be a to all peoples and an in-■-%;>j*J c . eni ent to recognise in time the threatening the peace and

progress of Europe and to work determinedly for a real understanding and conciliation among the nations. This alone would give all countries the possibility of an independent economic existence, and would thus be the safest guarantee for the welfare and progress of humanity.