FRANCE’S STAND

Grey River Argus, 22 March 1935, Page 5

FRANCE’S STAND

FOR WESTERN IDEALS Premier Answers Hitler (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) PARIS, March 20. Al. Flandin, addressing the Senate, said: “The German proclamation corresponds with a conception, which, if

accepted generally, would destroy the League’s peace work. We are appealing to the League in the interests of the community of States. France can defend herself, but the policy of force menaces many small weak nations.

The question must be fought out before a great international tribunal at Geneva. It is untrue that, France has not fulfilled her disarmament obligations. She has halved her effectives, reduced the fleet from 768,060 to

555.000 tons, and restricted Hie air force. She would have ‘jpjie further but for the progress of German rearmament. She also gradually abandoned the reparation claims.” The Senate passed a vote of confidence in (he Government bv 263 to 21 votes. /'Received March 21 at 9.40 p.m.) LONDON. Ma nd) 21. M. Flandin, the Premier of France, made a speech in the Senate which is regarded as an historic one. It ccrtainlv was characterised bv fearless frankness. He traversed Herr Hitler’s declaration, point by point. Tip said •hat a Franc.o-G ennan reconciliation could not be based on a travesty of truth. and a negation of law and jus-

II was untrue, he said. that the German people laid down their arms after a war which they hud not wanted. The world’s judgment as regard's the responsibility for unchaining the war had been given long ago; while, if the Gorman people laid down arms, it was because the coalition nations, fighting for the right, was victorious, as they would also be victorious in the future.

These passages wore received with loud cheers.

Declaring that it was untrue that Germany had fulfilled her obligations under the Peace Treaty, Al Flanflideclared that modifications treaties were possible, but only within a framework of legality. “France hates war.’’ he continued. “AH measures for the maintenance of peace will be taken. The Government will not cease in its efforts I'

group round, itself a powerful block of the States which have preserved the same ideals as ourselves! Let. us re-temper and re-create our national soul! Let us re-establish our unity! Do not doubt France has near her a whole train of nations who will join her in the hour of danger!” BERLIN. Alarch 20. Al. Flandin’s speech evoked dissatisfaction. The official comment declares that France cannot apparently reconcile herself to the necessity for negotialing with an equal Germany. FRENCH NOTE TO GERMANY. PARTS, March 20.

France sent a strongly-worded Note to Germany insisting on adherence to legal obligations. It was decided to bring Germany’s conscription decision before the League of Nations.

The French Note to Germany protests against the violation of the A7ersaille.s Treaty, and the Franco-British declaration of Alarch 3, also (he law of nations. It declares that France will n ot consider in the coming negotiations any unilateral decision. The French Government have dccided Io spend £22,850,000 on air defences, as supplementary to Hie amount provided in the budget in November.

The British Idea TO CONCILIATE GERMANY. (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Alarch 21 at 10.20 p.m.) LONDON, Alarch 21. In reference to Germany’s reported desire to resume a place in the Tamgue of Nations, the “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says: The idea that a. country can withdraw from the League, violate its obligations, and then resume its place as though nothing had happened, is nowhere held admissible. Herr Hitler will certainly be advised that, if Germany sincerely desires to co-operate in the work of the League, she should first show a willingness to negotiate a general settlement on the basis of the London Declaration.

“The Times” says: “It is agreed that the general object of European policy is to bring Germany back to the League, but nothing could be better calculated to prevent her return than to indict hoi’ before the League Council. Aforeover the Council can no more than declare, what everybody knows, that Germany has violated the Treaty of The real question is whether Germany, in the last fifteen years, had a squrVe deal, and whether the Treaty itself was in all respects a fair one. That question cannot be answered bv any arbitration court in the world. The only result of arraigning Germany must bp to give the League .in German eyes, an appearance more than ever of an anti-German association and render more difficult an eventual approach thereto by Herr Hitler.”

Italy’.? View FRENCH. ATTITUDE JUSTIFIED. (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Alarch 21 at 10.20 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. n The Times’s” Rome correspondent says: “Italy, it is officially stated, ‘sees no reason for opposing the French appeal to the League of Nations or the French Note to Berlin.’ but it is not vet known whether Italy will also send a Note of protest.” RUGBY, March 20. Representatives of Britain. France and Italy will meet in Paris before Saturday, to discuss Germany’s rearmament. It is understood that Mr Eden will represent Britain. The discussion between- representatives of the French British and Italian Government wjll, at the suggestion of the British, take place at Paris on Saturday. Air Eden will represent Hie British Government at +hese conversations, and Italy will be represented by Signor Suvitch. Tn the Commons, Sir J. Simon, replying to a question, said that the

visits to European capitals were purely exploratory. Questioned regarding the Aloscow visit, Air Eden said it was being paid in response to the Soviet Government’s invitation. The conversations would be mainly concerned with the questions arising out of the political situation in Europe. He did not anticipate that Russian debts to Britain would be discussed. It was announced by the French Premier in the Senate this evening, that a communication had been made to the League of Nations with reference to German conscription decision. The Nolp. which, if is stated, deals mainly with Hie juridical aspect of Germany’s decision, was presented to the German Foreign Minister by the French Ambassador this afternoon. AT. Laval is going Io Aloscow shortly. JAPAN’S ATTITUDE. ALLIANCE WITH GERAIANY. AGAINST RUSSIA. TOKTO. Alarch 20.

General Araki. in an exclusive in terview with the “Sun-Herald” hint ed that he may go to Berlin for the negotiation of a Japanese-German mili tary alliance, aimed against Russia.

Referring to world events, he said: “I sympathise with Germany. France must relax her aggressiveness. England’s role Is that of a watchful angel for Europe. TTitier’s prerogative is to strengthen the Fatherland’s forces against possible menaces such as the Soviet, although we rate the Russians as not formidable owing to their lack of unity, particularly in the outlying Soviet areixs. The ATuscovites, how ever, are children playimj with fire works, therefore Hitler, nearbv needs to protect lyis borders. Unless the Powers convene a Peace Conference, we shall face a conflict a decade hence that will force the loaders to decide for ever on a basic formula for ititernational peace.”

Roosevelt’s Stand

(Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) WASHINGTON. March 20. In a press interview to-day, President Roosevelt declined to give direct answers as to what would be the U.S.A, action regarding the European arms situation. The President indicated, however, that America will maintain a “hands-off’’ policy, 'if possible. He took occasion to re-affirm the hope that some success would result from the Geneva arms conference, and that. America would continue her “good neighbour” policy in foreign affairs.

No report regarding the European armament situation has yet been received by the State Department from the American Embassy at London; but it 'is understood that Sir J. Simon (British Foreign Secretary) merely supplied information for the consideration of the American Government. CANADIAN LABOUR ATTITUDE. OTTAWA, March 20. “Canadian Labour would not even consider a general strike in the event of war.” Air Tom Moore, President of the Dominion Trades and Labour Congress stated, regarding Air Alaxton’s threats in England. “Canadian Labour is thinking about peace, not war,” he added. “The more you talk of war, the more probable it becomes.”

Brigadier-General Ross, in the Commons, urged greated expenditures for aerial and naval defence. British Coand Australia,, he said, had realised the peril of war in the Pacific. Canada should follow the example.

GERMAN “RAID.” BERLIN. Alarch 20. Squadrons of heavy bombers and fast mobile scouting planes carried out a daylight air raid rehearsal in the small populous suburb of Kreuzberg, which was entirely isolated. No one was allowed to enter or leave the area after the syrens booted the warning. The streets were deserted, men. women, and children scurrying to shelter which they may not leave till the raid is finished. They may not even put their heads from windows.

Meanwhile, the firefighting and life-saving squads practised extinguishing supposed fires and rescuing people from bombed buildings.