GERMANY’S REPLY

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 June 1936, Page 7

GERMANY’S REPLY

TERRITORIAL CHANGES ASKED

NO GENERAL CONFERENCE

[BY CABLE —PBESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, June 12

“The Times’s” Berlin correspondent says: The German reply to the British questionnaire is expected to reach London next week. It will probably suggest, oral discussion as the best method of negotiation. It is unlikely to commit Germany to acceptance of the present territorial arrangements in Europe. A genuine lasting peace, it is held by her. cannot be based on the territorial arrangements forced upon Germany by the Versailles Treaty. Possibly, therefore, the reply will suggest plebiscites among the Germans of neighbouring lands. For the same general reason, the correspondent says, the question of whether Germany has yet reached equality of rights will also likely be answered negatively. The Versailles Treaty, it is argued, was nominally based on self determination, but that principle has never yet been applied to the German people. Anything that Herr Hitler may contrive to do in Austria might therefore be represented as being done in accordance with the principles on which the Versailles peace was concluded. The reply is expected freely to refer to the Franco-Soviet Treaty, which Germany holds, has revolutionised the European situation, making any general limitation of armaments impossible. at present; although it is argued

that this is no reason why a start should not be made with a prohibition of the largest guns and tanks, and with the negotiation of a Western air pact. The German Government is uncompromising in preferring to deal with each country, or group of countries, separately. It has not the slightest desire to participate in any general congress of Powers. In such a gathering, she fears, she might find herself arguing her case single-handed against the countries who would stand close by its successful prosecution. The reply also will probably indicate that Germany is in no hurry to join the League. S. W. AFRICA. CAPE TOWN, June 12. The Judicial Commission recommends that German West Africa be incorporated in South Africa. It considers that the present form of government is a failure. The Commission considered that the present form of Government was a failure, and considers that Nazi activities render the present administration impossible. The population is dragooned by orders from Berlin. The Swastika is displacing the Union Flag. Recalcitrant Germans are reported to Berlin, which persecutes their families living in Germany.

NO AIRSHIPS FOR TASMAN.

(Recd. June 13, 12.30 p.m.) BERLIN, June 12.

Questioned concerning Mr Brundahl’s hint at the interview at Auckland regarding an Australian-New Zealand airship service, a high official of the Zeppelin Company states this is his first intimation of the matter. He adds that such a plan would be only practicable in the fardistant future, because Germany does not possess the necessary airships. Moreover, if one were ordered, there was not at present the means of building it, because the workshops were fully engaged in the construction of LZ 130 for the North or South Atlantic route. Nothing was known of the possibility of an airship flying to Sydney on that city’s 150th anniversary.