WORLD PEACE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12887, 13 June 1936, Page 5

WORLD PEACE

BRITAIN’S QUESTIONNAIRE. GERMANY’S REPLY IMMINENT. LIKELY TO BE EVASIVE. <U.P A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright). • (Received June 12, 11 p.m.) LONDON, June 12. Tho Times Berlin correspondent says : “The German replj' to the British questionnaire is expected to reach London next week. It will probably suggest an oral discussion as best method of negotiation. It is unlikely to commit Germany to acceptance of the present territorial arrangements in Europe. “Genuine lasting peace, it is held, cannot be based on territorial arrangements forced upon Germany by tho Versailles Treaty. Possibly, therefore, tig; reply will suggest plebiscites among the Germans of neighbouring lands. For the same general reason, tho question whether Germany has yet. reached equality of rights is also likely to ho answered negatively. “Tho Versailles Treaty, it is argued is nominally based on self determination, hut that principle has never vet been applied to the German people. Anything President Hitler may contrive to do in Austria might, therefore, he represented as being done in accordance with the principles on which the Versailles Peace was concluded. “Tho reply is expected freely to refer to the Franco-Soviet treaty, which Germany holds has revolutionled tho European situation, ranking general limitation of armaments impossible at present, although, it is argued, this is no reason why a start should not ho made with the prohibition of the largest guns and tanks and tho negotiation of a Western air t-ar-t. “Tho German Government- is uncompromising in preferring to deal with each country nr group of countries separately. She has not the slightest desire to participate in n general congress of the Powers. In such a gathering, she fears she might find herself arguing her case single handed against countries which stand close by its successful prosecution .

“Tho reply will also probable indicate that Germany is in no hurry to join the League.”