EUROPEAN RELATIONS

Grey River Argus, 17 October 1936, Page 8

EUROPEAN RELATIONS

BELGIAN NEUTRALITY British Concern (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, October 10. It is understood that the Belgian Ambassador informed Mr Eden there s no question of Belgium repudiating any of her obligations. The neutrality out 'ned by King Leopold relates prim cipa’ly Io the coming Locarno negotiat'ons. Belgium wants, under the. ne.'.v treaty, t-o be a guarantied party but not a guarantor. The “Times” says; It is certain that Belgium desires,, at all times, to be on the. best terms- with. Britain, but it is plain the rqvised conception of her future policy must be a matter of concern to us. Its bearing upon "egotiations for the new Locarno wil be carefully and sympathetically const' de red. The British press takes the matter calmly. The “Daily Herald” echoes a view heard frequently in the street, to the effect that King Leopold seems somewhat unmindful of others’ past efforts to give Belgium the security -n 1 independence she now enjoys. The “Dai'y Telegraph’s” correspondent says-:: The future of Belgium in the new European system has been under examination in Lon don recently. It is held that should Germany attempt expansion, it would be eastward. Her concern in the west would be to bolcl off an attack from Franco going to help Poland and Czeehos’ovakia. The observance of neutrality by Belgium would lighten the German task.

SUPPORT FOR NEW ATTITUDE. (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, October 15. Italy anj Germany both find satisfaction in Belgium’s attitude, which the Dutch press also approves. FRENCH VIEWS. (Aus & N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, October 15. R'-garding Belgium’s attitude, French -1 continues. It is stated from Pa’-9 that the Government intends b ask Brussels a series of questions to elucidate. King Leopold’s speech. The official French viepv is that Belg’uni is not entitled to repudiate her Locarno coinm-itments, under which •die i.s pledged to join in the defence " +%-. French frontier. Moreover, if Belgium withdrew from the League in strict accord with liQr new neutrality noli cy. Locarno and the eownant ob'gations would still bp binding for turn years. It is certain that the French Government will immediately consult Britain, because Belgium” ■oi'.cy as otitHncfd by King Leopold. ha’ created a new strategic position : n Western Europe,, aryl must undoubt- . rt’v affect any security pact which mttv be reached,

BRITISH ARMAMENTS. INCREASE ADVOCATED. (British Official Wireless). RUGBY. October 15. B’itinn's need for strong defames <o preserve peace and to protect h<T freedom was emphasised in speeches by three Cabinet Ministers, Mr Eden nt Sheffield as already reported. Mr Duff Cooper, a.nd Sir Thomas Tnskip. The War Minister, Mr Duff Cooper, ■aid that it had been decided tn make Britain as strong as- if not stronger th-n ever before. The bless ngs the Prit'sli people enjoyed con'd not be rw’ntained unless they were prepar--1 to defend them. S -.Thomas Inskip, at Watford. wl hat 10,000 officers and men ever? needed before the anti-aircraft de-fe’-ee unit for the southern area, would he adequately manned. Similar conversion of territorial battabons and fo'-mations was being undertaken for the protection of the Midlands and Northern England. They would be equ'pped with the latest and most powerful searchlights and anti-aircraft guns. Mr Winston Churchill also spoke on the, defence question. The British Navy, he said, was in a high state of efficiency, and was capable of cop'ng with any European menace. He '.vished that lie could feel the same sense of security about the Air Force. He would like also to see Britain’s small army and territorial force organ’sed to a far higher pitch than was at present, contemplated.

Armament Ring FIGHTING ROOSEVELT (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assu.) NEW YORK, October 16. Senator Guffey, who is the Pennsylvania chairman of the Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committo?, reveaMd to reporters to-day that the armament «-m of Duponts and their associates have contributed 338,000 dollars to the Republican campaign funds. The largest "iff came from Lamont Dupont, of 105,000 dollars.