FRANCE UNDER BLUM

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 153, 30 June 1936, Page 16

FRANCE UNDER BLUM

GERMAN ATTITUDE

THE SOVIET COMPLICATION

A clear exposition of the attitude of Germany towards the new French Government under M. Blum is given by the latest copy of the "Berlin Weekly" to hand, which says:

"The German Press, on the occasion of the inauguration of M. Leon Blum's Government, commented on the events which had taken place in the neighbour country without any prejudice. Naturally, the .novel and extraordinary character of a French Government based on Marxist ideas can be recognised in Germany/as well as everywhere, and it is known that the guiding principles of the Blum Cabinet differ considerably from the political conceptions of the Third Reich. Nevertheless, the Reich Government and the German people are sincere in their wish that the new French Government will, succeed in their own country, because the common interests of Europe are inseparably bound up with the welfare of the I individual nations. I "As a Marxist, Leon Blum announced his allegiance to Internationalism shortly before his Government went into office. According to German ideas the best foundation for a permanent international co-operation is a sensible nationalism which has nothing in common with chauvinism and its dangers. Yet in Germany one is able to distinguish clearly, in the Internationalism of the present French Government majority, between tendencies which really work for peace and other tendencies whose aims are less trustworthy. Thus the 'Deutsche Diplomatische Korrespondenz' publishes the following comment: 'Among the Ministers forming the Leon Blum Government are to be found a number of pers6nalities who have been known in the past as holding moderate views as to the national claims of France. Many of these new men have sharply condemned the disastrous policies which in the German mind are associated with the name and spirit | of Poincare, and have thereby evinced j an understanding for the right ofj other nations to exist. On the other hand, it cannot be denied that there have been prominent members of the National Front who \iiave laid special importance on the alliance with Soviet Russia which—and this not' only in Germany—was and is justly considered a serious hindrance to the building up-of relations of mutual confidence among the nations of Europe.' "Internationalism is a two-edged sword, and Germany is convinced that a collective security in Europe will depend upon whether or not European diplomacy will earnestly seek to effect an adjustment of existing conflicting interests. Fundamental differences of opinion and partisan viewpoints have already so paralysed the League oi Nations at Geneva that the necessary liquidation of the policy of sanctions against Italy seems to be in a hopeless tangle. In order to find a way out of the actual , difficulties in the international situation, it is Germany s opinion that" England as well as France must be especially on their guard against the illusions of Internationalism. This is specially true with respect to Franco-German relations, and in England no sccret is made of this. Great Britain considers as the basic prerequisite of European peace a Franco-German understanding which has so honourably been sought on both sides of the Rhine, but can the same be said of Soviet Russia as well'' Germany, therefore, fearj that M. Leon Blum will have to guard against certain very definite disruptive tendencies in the field of international relations, as well as m the internal, affairs in France."