DIVIDED VIEWS

Evening Star, Issue 21991, 29 March 1935, Page 12

DIVIDED VIEWS

THE RERUN DISCUSSIONS SIR JOHN SIMOK'S GUARDED STATEMENT (British Official Wireless.) , Pa - ' is Association—By Telegraph—Copyrigi RUGBY, March 28. (Received March 29, at 1.30 p.m.) Responding in the House of Commons to a request from Mr G. Lansbury (Leader of the Opposition) for a statement on the Berlin visit, Sir John Simon said: “ The House is .aware that the visit to Berlin is one of a series of visits of exploration and inquiry now being paid on behalf of His Majesty's Government to various foreign capitals, and that when these visits are concluded they will be followed by a meeting at Stresa, in Northern Italy, where I hope to meet'Signor Mussolini and M. Laval; In these circumstances it is obviously undesirable to make a full statement as to the position still under investigation. Unauthorised speculations, such as have appeared in some quarters, should be disregarded. I may say, however, that in the course of the two days’ conversations with Herr Hitler the European .problem in relation to Germany was -reviewed, and all the topics mentioned in the London communique of February 3 brought under discussion. A considerable divergence of opinion between the two .Governments was revealed by the conversations. but the result of the meeting is undoubtedly valuable in that both sides are able clearly to understand their respective points of view—a process indispensable to any further progress.”

Asked if any of the conversations that had taken place or would take place within the next ten or eleven days would alter the position of the Stresa conference, or had the conference been definitely arranged between the three Powers, Sir John Simon replied that the Stresa meeting was for the three Powers, and he did not think it possible for him or anybody to speculate as to what would he the possible events after that.

SPECULAHCN REGARDING CONVERSATIONS FOREIGN SECRETARY RECEIVED BY KING. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 28. (Received March 29, at 2 p.m.) Information is scanty regarding the trend of the Berlin conversations, but in Ministerial circles it is felt that have at least served, the pm-posG of effecting a “ complete clarification of the respective points of view,” alike in regard to an Eastern European pact, a non-interference pact for Austria, the question of disarmament, and the return to the League of Nations. The conversations revealed but little common ground between the British and German views. The German objections to an Eastern pact are already well known, and, it is understood, remain unshaken. In regard to disarmament, while supporting limitation in principle and expressing willingness to renounce weapons which other nations might abolish by agreement, complete equality, and Germany’s full right to determine the needs of her own defences in relation to the armed forces of her neighbours were, it is understood, insisted upon. It is understood also that concessions in various fields were outlined by Herr Hitler as indicating the conditions upon which Germany’s return to the League of Nations might he effected.

Sir John Simon was received in audience by the King at Buckingham Palace to-day. He spent three-quarters of an hour in the private apartments talking with His Majesty. It is understood that he discussed with the King the conversations ho had had in Berlin. GERMANY'S DEMANDS NUMEROUS AND FAR-REACHING LONDON, March 28. (Received March 29, at 2 p.m.) The ‘ Smi-Herald 1 service learns that remarkable disclosures regarding the German situation, comprising Sir John Simon’s and Herr Hitler’s discussions, fully documented, were examined by Mr Bruce. British Ministers discussed the position informally with Mr Lyons. Though an immediate crisis is not anticipated, the position is regarded as disturbing. It is understood that Herr Hitler’s revelations include: — Firstly, a definite statement that Germany's air force exceeds Britain’s. Secondly, that Germany is establishing an active army of 550,000 (not half a million, as Britain imagined). Thirdly, that Germany will not return to the League until concessions are granted concerning the colonies. .Fourthly, that Germany will not consider any form of Eastern security pact. Fifthly, that Germany desires to absorb German-speaking elements in Austria and Czechoslovakia to enable the domination of Centra! Europe. Sixthly, that Germany will oppose all pacts with any clause concerning non-intervention in Austria. Herr Hitler frankly intimated that he wanted a European countries’ bloc against Russia.

NECESSITY FOR LABOUR SERVICE “ PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF NAZISM.” LONDON, March 28. (Received March 29, at 2 p.m.) “ The reintroduction of conscription Joes not affect the necessity for labour service,” said Herr Hierl, Labour Service leader, addressing the Labour Congress. ‘‘The army’s mission is protection from extern. 1 foes, while the labour service is a practical application of Nazism and a guarantee that Germans will not again be sundered by class differences. Labour service in future will precede military service. It is proposed to create a new type of workman, such-as a soldier, or sailor, or, perhaps, a conception such as a gentleman. Moreover. labour sendee is essential to assure the food supply, as was indicated by the Allied blockade in war time.” He added that by land development Germany would increase her agricultural produce by £160,000,000 annually and keep a quarter of a million employed for forty years. CAPTAIN EDEN JH MOSCOW A MOD ATMOSPHERE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY,. March 28. (Received March 29, at 1.30 p.m.) Captain Eden had conversations lasting over two hours with M. Litvinoff (Russian Foreign Minster). The matters discussed related to subjects mentioned in tbe Anglo-French communique of February 3 and to the visit which Captain Eden paid with Sir John Simon to Berlin. The conversation is stated to have been conducted in a very friendly and cordial atmosphere. It will be resumed to-morrow morning, but in the afternoon Captain Eden will meet M. Stalin.

It is understood that this will be the first occasion on which M. Stalin will have discussed international relations with a representative of a foreign Government, such matters hitherto having been exclusviely in tbe hands of M. Litvinoff.

The Soviet authorities have given ample evidence of a desire to do Captain Eden honour. When he arrived this morning the Alexandraovsky terminus was lavishly decorated with British flags, and crowds of people watched him drive away from the station. ROYAL TOAST HONOURED UNPRECEDENTED GESTURE OF SOVIET MINISTER Cress Association—By Telegraph—Copyright MOSCOW, March 28. (Received March 29, at 2.30 p.m.) The Royal toast was unprecedentedly proposed by a Soviet Minister at Moscow, when M. Litvinoff, at a reception to Captain Eden, toasted King George and British happiness and prosperity. He emphasised that the visit was an important milestone in Anglo-Rnssian relations, which, economically and culturally, had been developing for the last fourteen years. The political side was now showing a distinct improvement. The visit was also significant, owing to the alarming impediments arising in the preservation of international peace, although a consoling feature was that it was impossible to point to groups of Powers awaiting a propitious moment to attack eac bother. “ While an overwhelming majority favours peace, it is nevertheless a fact that danger spots may be located. It does not imply, however, that they are localised,” he added.

Referring to Russia’s acceptance of the Franco-British proposals of February 3, he believed that Captain Eden’s visit would fruitfully contribute to such co-operation. The coming weeks would show* whether the European States were capable of carrying out the proposals. Captain Eden, replying, stressed the importance of Russia’s entrance to the League of Nations, and added: “My firm belief, which is not weakened by the visits recently paid, is that a frank and personal exchange of views can alone improve the anxious European position.”