EXPULSION OF GERMANS

Grey River Argus, 11 August 1937, Page 5

EXPULSION OF GERMANS

BY BRITISH GOVERNMENT Leads to Reprisal REMOVAL OF “TIMES” CORRESPONDENT ASKED. lAust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, August 9. The German Charge d'Affaires conveyed a German protest against the expulsion of the journalists to Lord Halifax (Acting-Foreign Secretary). It is understood it was couched in restrained terms. The "Telegraph's” Berlin correspondent says: As a reprisal for the expulsion of the three German journalists from England, the Government requested "The Times” to replace within a fortnight its experienced popular chief representative, the former President of the Foreign Press Association, Norman Ebbut, substituting a correspondent more acceptable to Germany. “The Times’s” diplomatic correspondent announces that the Charge D’Affaires (Herr Woermann) in the absence of Herr von Ribbentrop, called at the Foreign Office, regarding the expulsions, and requested the Foreign Office to inform “The Times” that the German Government desired Mr. Ebbutt’s removal. Failing his withdrawal within a fortnight, the German Government would proceed with his expulsion. BERLIN, August 9. A semi-official statement says: The German Government does not conceal the fact that it is greatly pained by the decision concerning the German correspondent’s expulsion. .Since Britain considers the continued residence of these correspondents as undesirable, Germany will naturally take corresponding action.

Newspapers declare that "English provocation” can only injure AngloGerman relations. ,

REPLY TO GERMANY. - RE REMOVAL OF EBBUT. (Received August 10, 10.40 p.m.) LONDON, August 10. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” understands that Lord Halifax, who is acting as Foreign Secretary during Mr Eden’s absence, pointed out to Herr Woermann (of the German Embassy) that Germany’s request would have a deplorable effect on British public opinion. REPRISALS OBJECTED TO. LONDON, August 10. The “Manchester Guardian” says: The three Germans have not been expelled as journalists, but for activities that have nothing to do with journalism. The British view is that, if Germany wants her relations with Britain to be as friendly as possible she should no take reprisals where none are called for. EBBUT’S POSITION. LONDON, August 10. Norman Ebbut, whom Germany requests should be removed from Germany as a reprisal for the expulsion of German journalists from Britain, is aged forty-three. He has worked for "The Times” in its Berlin office since 1925, and he has been chief "Times” correspondent since 1927. GERMAN PRESS CRITICISM OF EBBUT. LONDON, August 10. The "Morning Post’s” Berlin correspondent says: Norman Ebbut has been repeatedly abused by the German press, and notably by the Nazi paper “Angrifi,” which is closely connected with Dr. Goebbels.

GERMAN EXPELLED FROM ITALY LONDON, August 10. The “News-Chronicle” recalls that Langen, the German journalist, who is a close personal friend of General Goering, was expelled from Italy in February, without any explanation.