GERMANY DRAWS CONCLUSION

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22678, 5 April 1939, Page 11

GERMANY DRAWS CONCLUSION

3 ><l- » Encirclement Plan Alleged

HITLERS SPEECH MISUNDERSTOOD “Will Not Wait Till Net is Closed” (VETTED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received April 4, 10.30 p.m.) BERLIN, April 4. The German Official News Agency says Germany can draw only one conclusion from Mr Chamberlain’s statement, namely, that Britain is throwing all her resources into a policy of encirclement against Germany’s vital Continental interests. It adds: “The Fiihrer’s speech apparently has not been understood by the British Government. Therefore we must .vigorously re-emphasise that Germany has no intention of waiting until the encirclement net is closed and has become unbreakable.”

It is authoritatively stated in Berlin that Germany is now waiting to see whether the countries that Britain has unilaterally guaranteed are willing to make arrangements bilaterally. An official statement says: “We have every reason to believe that Poland is not willing to forfeit, her power of independent decision or be drawn into an antiGerman bloc, Rumania is even less likely to be so influenced.’’ It is authoritatively ' stated in Paris, however, that Rumania has agreed to accept a British guarantee, which might take the form of a military agreement under which Poland and Rumania will .also receive unlimited supplies of munitions and war aeroplanes from the Soviet in the event of aggression. Reuter’s Bucharest correspondent says it is understood that Britain on April 1 inquired regarding Rumania’s potential needs in the event of aggression. The inquiry, which involved chiefly air and naval strength, greatly gratified official circles. Britain and Rumania are now negotiating with Turkey and Greece with a view to completing a defensive system. A report from Moscow states that it is officially denied that the Soviet has undertaken to supply Poland with war Materials.

“PLEDGE NOT LIGHTLY GIVEN”

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY FOR AIR

LONDON. April 3

Speaking at Liverpool, the Secretary of State for Air (Sir Kingsley Wood) said: “Let none mistake the meaning and weight of Britain’s pledge to Poland. It was not lightly given, and once given we will honour it.

“I believe that we can go forward with confidence, not only because of our rising strength, the unity of our people and the response by other- nations, but also because all is based om the rock of justice and right.” “WORLD DOMINATION RESISTED” » . "• (BRIT1S& OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY,. April' 3. Mr Chamberlain has sent the following letter-to the annual meeting of the Edgbaston division of the Unionist Association:— “We are passing through difficult times, but I am greatly encouraged by the knowledge that I have the support of my friends at Edgbaston, and I trust that we shall presently see an improvement in the situation. Our desire is still to remove any legitimate causes of grievances wherever they may exist, but any attempt at world domination would have to be resisted in this country along with others as it always has been in the past.”