BRITISH NOTE TO HITLER

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 May 1936, Page 7

BRITISH NOTE TO HITLER

“POLITE BUT COMPLICATED” POLICY EXPLANATION ASKED [BY CABLE PRESS ASSN. COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, May 7. Sir E. Phipps handed' the British questionnaire to Baron von Neurath. “The Times’s” Berlin correspondent —Semi-official circles describe the British document as polite but complicated. At present, it is not being published, but it is understood to consist of seven or eight typewritten sheets, which contain many cross references to the three German proposals made during March, especially referring to the constructive side of Hitler’s policy, on which they form a running commentary, interspersed with friendly inquiries, so framed as to induce a sincere response by the sincerity of their inquisitiveness.

They also offer tentative interpretations of Hitler’s public statements. Hitler will, be asked., whether. th.e_de•finitions and conditions he-outlined to Sir J. Simon last year are-still valid, and although he will not be directly asked whether he will abstain in future from repudiation of engagements, or whether, the Rhineland demilitarisation is the last so-called “inequality.” Information is sought concerning Germany’s relations with her neighbours, German colonial ambitions, and how- the Covenant and peace treaties can best be separated. Germany is ready to discuss the questions orally, but a written reply will take some time, and would not be ready before the League meeting on May 11.

OVERSEAS AND MANDATES. LONDON, May 7. Mr Mander asked' in the Commons whether it was not clear there was now a divergence of Empire policy regarding mandates, and whether consultations with the Dominions, with a view to a united policy, were not desirable. Mr M. MacDonald did not reply. ELECTION DISCLOSURES. LONDON, May 7.The “Morning Post’s’’ special Berlin correspondent says:—The extent of the German plebiscite being “cooked” is at last becoming known, Spoiled papers amounted to at least 37 per cent. The verdict was all the more striking, in view of the fact that the ballot was only nominally secret, and it alarmed the Nazi leaders.