SECURITY AND PEACE

Evening Post, Issue 60, 11 March 1936, Page 11

SECURITY AND PEACE

BLOW BY GERMANY

FRENCH ATTITUDE DEFINED

APPEAL TO LEAGUE POWEKS

(Received March 11, 11 a.m.)

PARIS, March 10.

A crowded Chamber heard the Premier, M. Sarraut, define France's attitude to Germany. He declared that France is willing to leave the Rhineland issue to arbitration, but that she will never accept the substitution of a law of force and fails accompli .for international law. She has" been always ready to listen to any proposal for politico-economic amelioration in Europe and has neglected no opportunity for better relations with Germany. "I am convinced that if all the circumstances could be freely discussed a settlement would be achievable along the lines of international law without recourse to force," he said.

• M. Sarraut recalled the Saar, where problems of supreme difficulty were solved without a single disorderly incident. "We believe that the occupation of the demilitarised zone is a blow against our security and the'future of European peace," he declared. "The League and collective are endangered, and if Germany's action is allowed to stand any country will be able to tear up a treaty at will. We are ready to begin discussions with Germany once respect for international law is again assured, but we cannot maintain the least faith in treaties if the strongest will suffices to destroy them. : To Prevent Catastrophe. "If this sort of thing is accepted it will mean that a return to military alliances, super-armaments, and war will be begun by the strongest at the most favourable moment. We are still ready to place our moral and material forces at the disposal of the League to prevent such a catastrophe, which would mean the end of European civilisation, and ask the assistance of those Powers who formally signed the Rhenish Pact and the League Covenant. "We solemnly declare that we will never attempt anything against the honour of the German people, and that we are willing to seek peace. France would like to know how the occupation of the Rhineland will help to solve these problems. Would Germany have confidence In France if France demanded a new treaty Just because she had torn up an old one? France cannot negotiate under a threat of violence and renunciation of freely given signatures, and therefore she Is appealing: to the League and consulting with the Locarno signatories. Fvance remains ready to negotiate with Germany as soon as faith in treaties is restored."