HITLER’S APPEAL

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 134, 2 March 1936, Page 9

HITLER’S APPEAL

Rapprochement With France ENTENTE OFFERED “Eternal Franco-German Enmity Absurd” REFERENCE TO RUSSIA

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received March 1, 6.30 p.m.) London, February 29. The “Daily Mail’s” Paris correspondent says that an appeal to France for a Franco-German rapprochement, accompanied by a warning against final ratification of the Franco-Soviet pact,was made by Herr Hitler in an interview with M. de Jouvenal, published in the Paris “Midi.” Herr Hitler said: “I know Frenchmen are asking whether my pacific declarations are sincere, but would it * not be better if Frenchmen, using the logic for which they are famous, reasoned out the facts. Isn’t it obviously to French and German advantage that wo should have peace? Would not a dash on the battlefields ruin both? I want to show the Germans’ ideal that an eternal and hereditary Franco-German enmity is absurd. “I was imprisoned when I wrote ‘Mein Kampf.’ The French were occupying the Ruhr. It was a moment of greatest tension, but there is at present ho reason for conflict. You ask why 1 do not ripvise ‘Mein Kampf,’ but I am a politician, not a writer who brings out a new edition. On the contrary, I am making rectifications daily in foreign policy which are directed toward Franco-German friendship. If I wished to launch the Germans against France, would I regularly speak only good regarding France, inasmuch as psychological preparation is necessary for war? Surely Frenchmen believe there is something reasonable and humane in a Franco-German entente Which must be secured between neighbours at all costs. My personal efforts toward a rapprochement will always be continued.

“Nevertheless, it is more than deplorable that the Franco-Russian pact creates a new situation because Frenchmen are becoming implicated in the diplomatic game by a Power which Is desirous only of spreading disorder in Europe from which she can profit, Russia is inspired by an explosive revolutionary ideal and is backed by gigantic armaments. As a German I am bound to consider such a situation. “France should consider my serious offer for an entente which would be approved by 90 per cent, of Germans. Never lias a German leader made such advances or repeated them so frequently. France to-day can end the German peril which your children from generation to generation are learning to fear.” t FRENCH SUSPICIONS “Short-circuiting Pact” INQUIRIES TO BE MADE (Received March 1, 7.30 p.m.) Paris, February 29. Although official circles are sceptical of the sincerity of Herr Hitler’s peace declaration, it is expected that inquiries will speedily be made through diplomatic channels in order to give Germany no reason to claim that peaceful overtures have been ignored. Negotiations are unlikely be commenced until after the League meeting when M. Flandin, Foreign Minister, will discuss the situation with Herr Hitler. It is feared, however, that Herr Hitler’s declaration is simply an attempt to short-circuit the conclusion of the Franco-Soviet Pact. GERMANY ANNOYED Partial Ratification Of Soviet Pact TALK OF MARCH INTO RHINELAND London, February 28. The ratification by the French Chamber of Deputies of the Soviet pact has aroused a storm at Berlin. “It is a flagrant breach of the Locarno Treaty,” declared the German Government’s official spokesman, while the “Volkischen Beobachter” declares that the essential guarantees of Locarno are being set aside. The “Daily Mall’s” Paris correspondent says French political circles think that Germany within a few days will officially announce that she considers the pact incompatible with the Locarno Treaty. The next move is expected to be either a pronouncement that she is now entitled to garrison the demilitarised Rhineland zone or to make a demand for a fresh meeting of the Locarno Powers to consider the new situation. The Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Express” suggests that Herr Hitler may wait to see whether the French Senate confirms the cnamber’s vote. If it does it is believed that Herr Hitler will summon the Reichstag and that German troops simultaneously will be marched into flic demilitarised zone. RUSSIA JUBILANT Desire For Peace With Germany Moscow, February 28. Russia is jubilant at the ratification of the Franco-Soviet pact by the Chamber of Deputies. The “Izvestia” states that Germany s allegations of encirclement are merely an attempt to prepare the advance of the German aggressive policy. The Soviet. like France, desires to live in peace with Germany and does not Intend to resist the satisfaction of reasonable German demands. The consolidation of peace in Europe is more than ever essential to preserve peace in the Far East. The French ratification of the pact shows that Germany’s threats do not scare anyone.