HITLER DEFIES EUROPEAN OPINION

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22198, 15 September 1937, Page 9

HITLER DEFIES EUROPEAN OPINION

Fierce Verbal Attack Launched On Republican Spain ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN AND FRANCE CRITICISED “Germany Horrified at Possibility Of Russian Conquest” ii kitr,D razss association— corruKjar.) (Received September 15, 2 a.m.) NUREMBURG, September 14. On the eve of the Nyon agreement, Herr Hitler launched a fierce attack on Republican Spain. Addressing the closing session of the Nazi congress, he said it was ridiculous to regard Jewish Bolsheviks as the legal Government of Spain. Britain and France maintained that great interests of theirs were involved in Spain, but how Spain was governed did not concern them. They had no more right to political interests in Spain than they had in Germany. Britain and France might pretend to be disturbed lest Spain should be occupied by Italy or Germany, but Germany was horrified at the possibility of a Russian conquest of Spain. “We refuse to take advice from statesmen lacking our knowledge and experience,” Herr Hitler added. “If Spain were bolshevised, Germany’s economic existence would be endangered. The British Empire may regard the future of Spain with indifference. It may even increase its trade with Spain, accepting stolen gold, but a lasting and solid commercial exchange can not be built up on the activities of thieves and receivers. “Germany has no desire to play the politico-economic hermit. She is willing to co-operate with all sharing her views on the European situation. “Because we refuse to isolate ourselves, and because we deliver machines to General Franco in exchange for raw materials, the foreign press makes a fuss. It is really angry because we come to an understanding with States governed like ourselves.”

SIGNING OF PACT AWAITED

LEAGUE ASSEMBLY OPENED

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS BY SENOR NEGRIN ABUSIVE PAMPHLET SENT BY GROUP OF PATRIOTS LONDON, September 13. Although to-day's proceedings at the League were only formal, the lobbies and press galleries were exceptionally animated. Senor Juan Negrin, in opening the Assembly, declared in his presidential address, that although Spain was a matter of the gravest international concern, he was not speaking of it except to say that Spam preserved her faith in the League's ideals, which had not dimmed. The world was living in a strange period, in which the moral sense of the nations had retrogressed. Treaties were no longer respected, and signatures were binding only so far as the signatory himself wished. U the League were destroyed, this generation could not rebuild it. The assembly adjourned to await the report of the Credentials Committee. ~ _ All the delegates to the League have received a pamphlet couched in violent and abusive language referring to Senor Negrin as a 'bandit," and signed by a group of patriots. As a result, the precincts of the assembly are closely guarded. THE AGA KHAN ELECTED PRESIDENT (Received September 14, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 13. The Aga Khan, the chief delegate for India, was unanimously elected president of the League of Nations Assembly. N.Z. DELEGATION TO LEAGUE (Received September 14, 5.5 p.m.) GENEVA, September 13. The New Zealand representatives or the various committees of the Leapue of Nations are Mr W J. Jordan, High Commissioner for New Zealand in London Dr. R. M. Campbell, economic adviser, and Mr Knowles and Miss McKenzie, of the High Commissioner's Office.

ITALY TO BE INVITED TO JOIN PATROL WARM APPROVAL OF SCHEME IN LONDON (DEITISn OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) (Received September 14, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, September 13. It is anticioated that approval of the Nyon scheme will be received at Geneva within the next 24 hours, /and that possibly to-morrow, but I certainly by Wednesday, the agreement will be formally signed at Nyon. Russia, it is reported from Moscow, has authorised M. Litvinov to sign the agreement to take part in the Mediterranean patrol. Italy is to be invited by Britain and France to join in the work of the patrol in furtherance of the express wish of the conference on Friday. In Geneva, the Mediterranean plan is regarded as highly satisfactory. • The London newspapers warmly approve the proposals. ‘‘The Times” says: ‘‘The scheme is likely to prove a serious deterrent to further outrages against neutral shipping on two of the great trade routes in the Mediterranean. If, as hoped, the Italian Government decides to participate in the defence of neutrals against an unprovoked attack on the Messina-Marseilles route and elsewhere, the co-opera-tion of its powerful and highly efficient flotillas should make a continuance of piracy quite impossible. In any case, the adhesion of the smaller Mediterranean States to the plan would be most gratifying to the British Government.” The “Daily Telegraph” says: “It is much to be desired that all the great European Powers should join in this effort. The more nations which share in it, the more its value to the peace and prosperity of all. DEATH SENTENCES IN SANTANDER three insurgent tribunals SIT CONTINUOUSLY (Received September 14, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 13. The correspondent of the British United Press at Santander says that three insurgent tribunals are sitting continuously, trying 90,000 Santander war prisoners. Death sentences average one m every 10 cases.