GERMANY COMES TO LONDON

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 149, 19 March 1936, Page 8

GERMANY COMES TO LONDON

The. prospect in Europe has visibly brightened with the announcement of Germany's decision to send a delegation to London, lhere is always a hope When disputants elect to fight with words instead of with weapons. That Germany has been induced to try the conference-room instead of the battlefield is a score for British diplomacy. At the same time Germany’s leaders are making it extremely difficult for a favourable atmosphere to be created for the reception of their country's representatives. General Goering's : outburst. reported to-day, was in the Worst possible taste. . It was. ill-timed, pugnacious, inflammatory, and in every- way prejudicial to the state of mind in which international negotiations aimed at a peaceful solution of Europe's troubles should be conducted. Herr Hitler s reference to Communist Russia has provoked a plain-spoken but by no means diplomatic retort from M. Litvinoff, and General Goerings supplementary reference to “Bolsheviks” is likely to stiffen the RtfSsian attitude. Indeed, if General Goerings words are taken seriously by France the prospect of a favourable turn of events might well vanish altogether. It can only be hoped that Herr Hitler’s and General Goering’s speeches will be passed over as electioneering rhetoric intended to rally the support of the German people to the policy of their leader. Ihe worst of it is that men who talk m that fashion are usually expected by those who believe them, to be in a position at the first opportunity to deliver the goods. Literally interpreted. General Goering’s remarks wouM convey the impression that nothing would please him better than a light with Fiance. , Yei it was only the other day that Herr Hitler offered the hand of, friendship to that country. What sense of security is France likely to experience in the face of such contradictory sentiments?