GERMAN AMBITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 21992, 30 March 1935, Page 15

GERMAN AMBITIONS

, APPREHENSION IN RUSSIA BRITAIN REGARDED AS CHIEF PEACEMAKER Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, March 29. The Moscow correspondent of ‘ The Times’ says; “Captain Eden frankly explained his own opinion of the Berlin conversations. M. Litvinoff similarly frankly explained in detail the progressive deterioration of Russo-German relationships in the past two years, expressing the opinion that the German conscription law created an entirely new situation. He also emphasised the importance which the Soviet attached

to the League system. The Soviet’s view is that, if the paramount aim of British policy is really peace, then Britain must support the Russian claim for security against peace-breakers. Peace cannot be secured in Western Europe and left to look alter itself in Eastern Europe.” “ A firm British attitude in 1914,” gays ‘ Izvestia,’ “ would have prevented war.” It adds; “The position to-day is analogous. The danger is equally great and the possibility almost as imminent.”

According to the 1 News-Chronicle’s ’ Moscow correspondent, M. Litvinoft also intends raising the possibility of a Far Eastern security pact, including Britain, Russia, and America, which Japan would be invited to join. Such a pact, with or without Japanese co-operation, would be an immense triumph for Russian diplomacy. EASTERN EUROPE A DANGER POINT 5 LONDON, March 23. ' The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ diplomatic correspondent trout Moscow, says: M. Litvinoft gave Captain Eden an account of Russo-Gcrraau relations during the past two or .three years, demon : stratfng how they had become progressively worse, and citing the German rcfusaE in March, 1934, to conclude a Baltic pact. He added: ‘My own conviction is that Germany contemplates eastern aggression.’ ” The special correspondent of ‘ The Times’ at Moscow says: “The Soviet believes that peace or war ultimately depends on Britain and Russia. It is most anxious for peace, but Germany s intentions as revealed in Herr Rosenberg’s utterances are alarming. Russia’s fears can only be removed by German participation in a pact for automatic mutual assistance against an aggressor* The German arguments against such a pact are regarded as insincere and equally applicable to Locarno.”

JAPAN'S POLICY P TOKIO, March 29. The Foreign Spokesman declared that whatever .happens in Europe there will be no change in the fixed Japanese policy so lai’ as Eastern Asia is concerned —namely, non-aggression against her neighbours and the maintenance of peace, which she is “ prepared to do if peace is threatened.” CAPTAIN EDEN IN RUSSIA t MOSCOW, March 29. (Received March .‘3O, at noon). Alter conversing with M. LilvinolV on Anglo-Soviet trade and bar East problems, Captain Eden met M. Stalin for further discussions. General satisfaction is expressed with yesterday s conversations. Captain Eden to-mor-row intends motoring to M. Litvinoff’s country home to continue the talks.

FATEFUL MEETING AT STRESA GRAVE PROBLEMS CONFRONT STATESMEN WORLD AWAITS THEIR PRONOUNCEMEHTS (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, March 29. (Received March at 1 p.m.) Until the exploratory conversations which Captain Eden is having, and will have, in Moscow, Warsaw, and Prague have been completed, no full statement upon the position which is still under consideration is likely to be made. When all the facts have been ascertained and co-rehitcd, they will be discussed by Sir John Simon, Signor Mussolini, and M. Laval at Stresa. Further particulars which the London newspapers contain in regard to the explorations in Berlin serve to strengthen .the general - impression p£

the gravity of the problem which will confront those statesmen when they meet.

According to the ‘ Daily Telegraph,’ ‘ News - Chronicle,’ and the ‘ Daily Herald,’ among other journals, Herr Hitler is said to have stated that Germany already has an air force as large as the British Royal Air .Force, or slightly larger, that she desires a navy on parity with France and Italy, and that the effect of her conscription will be to equip her with a force of 550,000 men.

The ‘ News-Chronicle ’ says that it is now realised in London that a new situation in Europe has to be faced, and that the altered outlook gives an added importance to the Strcsa conference. The ‘ Daily Herald ’ takes the line that the “ whole influence and power of Britain must now be given to so strengthening the League of Nations and the system of collective security which is its essence as to make aggression unthinkable. The ‘ Herald ’ adds: “ Without Germany the League is incomplete, but even without Germany, the League, if it is to be a true League, can keep the peace in Europe. 1 ’ The ‘ Daily Telegraph,’ referring to the. considerable divergence of opinion between the British and German Governments, which Sir John Simon informed the House of Commons that the Berlin conversations revealed, thinks it is at least to the good that the revelation was so frankly and openly made. With regard to Herr Hitler’s attitude to Russia, the ‘ Telegraph ’ says; “ British opinion will ask why, if Germany justifies ■ the magnitude of her military and air requirements by the size of the Russian establishments and by her dread of the Communist peril, and if she has no ulterior desigiis of Eastern expansion, she should appear to be so rootedly opposed to entering into 'a pact of collective security.”

‘ The Times,’ referring to the proposals for an Eastern pact, and, in an effort to understand the German arguments against such a measure, suggests that “ perhaps a general Eastern air convention might be a useful cover for particular defensive agreements. The importance of the air is paramount there, as it is in' the West, and some objections which Poland is known also to entertain towards the proposed security pact might possibly be modified if general obligation to act is confined to an element which does not involve the occupation of one country by the troops of another, even for the purposes of mutual assistance. The first need of civilisation in the East, as m the West, is to oppose the concentration of bombing aeroplanes in an overwhelming combination of forces. The ‘ Manchester Guardian ’ expresses the view that in tho situation that seems to be developing Britain’s. course clearly, will be “To solidify tire European system by every moans in our power—and our moans are many, and our influence great—so that not only 7 will it stand linn, but its strength will be so clearly recognised, that it will not be attacked. The signs arc more hopeful than the pessimist might think, despite all the failures and alarums of the last two years. Europe is already co-operating more closely—witness the new co-operation of -Balkan countries, the understandings between France and Italy, and between Italy and Yugoslavia, and the approach of Russia to the West, and our own approach to Russia; It is our genuine desire that Germany should take part in this process of cohesion, but one thing is certain —the process must go on.”

PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING

DOMINANT POLICIES OF THE LEAGUE

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, March 29 (Received March 30, at 1 p.m.)

In Moscow Captain Eden was the guest of honour at a banquet, when both he and M. Litvinoft' spoke. Tho latter declared' that ' European peace must be maintained by the collective

system of all States, especially the Great Powers.

Captain Eden, in reply, stated that the British foreign poliev was based on the League of Nations, and the essence of the League was its universality. It was therefore a great gain when Russia joined it. The main object of the League was the peace and betterment of the relations between countries. Peace was also the prime object of the policy of the United Kingdom, and he was confident that this was also the foreign policy of tho Soviet Union. It was- his firm belief that the position in Europe could only ho improved by a frank exchange of views between the representatives of the great nations.

VISITORS WARMLY GREETED

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright

MOSCOW, March 29

(Received March 30, at 2 p.m.)

Two thousand spectators at the Ballet Theatre gave an ovation to Captain Eden and his party, who occupied the cx-Imperial box. The orchestra played the British National Anthem, followed by the 1 Internationale.’

ITALIAN PRECAUTIONS

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright

ROME, March 29, (Received. March 30, at 2 p.m.)

The Secretary for War, Signor Baistrocchi, speaking in the Senate, hinted at the formation of a fresh army division called the “ sabaudn.” The necessary war material would bo ready in the spring time, he said. Each citizen must be organised in national military culture. Italy's military doctrine would be completed in the New Year. Bombs, hand grenades, cannons, and Maxim guns were shortly being distributed to troops. The manufacture of artillery kept pace the necessity,

for rapid movement consonant with Italy’s rights as a great nation. The valleys once used for her invasion were effectively blocked and guarded. Italy by nest spring would have 600,000 men perfectly armed and organised, besides the 1012 class, comprising 600,000 in reserve.