FRENCH VIEWPOINT

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 85, 9 April 1936, Page 12

FRENCH VIEWPOINT

PLAN INSUFFICIENT TO ENSURE PEACE

TREATIES AND ARMAMENTS

CONTROL BY COMMISSION PROPOSED

Onltcri Tress Association—J?.v Electric Tele.

graph—Copyright. (Received April 9, 2 p.m.)

PARIS, April 8

The French reply to Herr Hitler's peace memorandum comprised a communique of 13 pages in response to the German contentions and also a declaration containing the French proposals. The reply affirms equality of rights and respect for international law, and asserts the principle that no nation can attain hegemony in Europe. It proposes permanent control* of the execution of treaties by a European Commission, and that the extent of the limitation of armaments by each State should be decided by a two-thirds majority of the European Commission or of such other organisation as the League Council decides.

The reply states that if mutual assistance in the universal framework of the League at the moment is difficult to put into operation quickly and efficaciously, regional accord should be sought. Moreover, even if Europe should appear too vast to apply collective security by mutual assistance and disarmament, the task of organising regional ententes within a European framework remains. This organisation should be entrusted to a European Commission within the League e structure. JOINT ARMED FORCES. The associated States, in order to accomplish the duty of mutual assistance, shall specially and permanently keep a trained army and naval and air forces at the disposal of the European Commission or the League Council. All treaties at present existing, besides those which may be concluded in the future between European Powers, shall be submitted to the European Commission, which will be able, by a two-thirds majority, to pronounce them incompatible to the European pact or regional pacts. ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS. The economic section states that partial or total Customs unions would substantially improve the economic situation. The necessity for a common reserve of raw materials and territory for expansion for surplus European production should lead to a revision of certain colonial statutes from the viewpoint of equality and economic rights. A special section of the European Commission should consider economic questions as soon as political security has been reestablished Nothing in these proposals shall be considered contrary to the League Covenant. Final acceptance presupposes adherence to the League. Refusal by any State to join in the plan shall not. prevent other States acceptThe' reply refers to the possibility of Germany raising the questions of Austria, Danzig, and Meniel, restitution of colonies, and revision of European frontiers, and says that Germany should reply clearly about her intentions in that connection. It emphasises that the German attitude towards the prohibition of the fortification of he Rhineland must be the touchstone for deciding whether Germany is prepared to admit the principle of collective security. ' France notes that Germany replies with suggestions which arc quite insufficient to consolidate peace m Europe. France fears that Germany will again secede from the League if her colonial aspirations are not satisfied.