GERMANY’S CASE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 150, 20 March 1936, Page 11

GERMANY’S CASE

Von Ribbentrop at Council Meeting TENSE ATMOSPHERE Speech Occupies Only 25 Minutes By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. (Received March 20, 1.55 a.m.) London, March 19. For the first lime since she walked out of the League, Germany attended a League Council meeting, when Herr vou Ribbentrop, sturdy and self-pos-sessed, entered the council chamber deep iu conversation with Herr von Schmieden aud took the last seat but one on the extreme right of the lioiseshoe table. He talked a few minutes with his fellow-Germaiis. then rose and walked round the table to shake bauds with JI. Flandin, French Foreign Jlinister, aud Signor Grandi, Italian Ambassador, and then took a typewritten speech from a dispatch case.

Tlie atmosphere had not been so tense and expectant since the Council commenced its meetings. Spring sunshine flooded the room. Mr. S. M. Bruce opened the session and asked the delegates’ consent tor a photograph to be taken. Then lie declared: "I call upon the representative of Germany,” who, remaining in his seat in accordance with custom, spoke in rapid and distinct German. M. Flandin leaned back, his eves fixed on the ceiling. Signor Grandi folded his arms on the table and his face was inscrutable. Mr. Eden made copious notes and M. Litvinov leaned carelessly forwaid, hut was not less attentive than h'’’ fellow delegates. M. Van Zeeland sat upright and alert, Herr von Ribbentrop spoke fastei as he progressed, the entire speech occupying only 25 minutes.