STORM OF PROTEST

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 6 March 1935, Page 7

STORM OF PROTEST

Britain’s Defence Action Strongly Resented in Germany REGARDED AS UNFRIENDLY APPROVAL IN FRANCE 'United Press Association—By. Electric Telegraph Copyright). Beceived noon "to-day. BERLIN, March 5. The newspapers publish only shor.t summaries of the British White Paper on defences. Leading articles regarding the White Paper, "which is resented throughout Germany, amount to a storm of protest against Britain’s action, which is generally described as unfriendly.

The Angriff describes it as an attempt to intimidate Germany on the 6ve of negotiations by attributing Britain’s rearmament to Germany’s spirit. It adds: “It is a piece of antiquated diplomacy which has.failed' to achieve its purpose."

A Paris message says the French newspapers generally approve the White Paper. The Petit Parisien says that Britain makes clear her ardent desire for' peace, but does not go to the point of closing her eyes to the total militarisation of the Beich.

The Echo de Paris hopes that Britain’s example will open M. Flandin’s eyes to the immediate necessity of extending France’s military service, but it was insufficient to reply to Germany’s armaments in a similar measure, and it would be necessary to unite the pacific peoples of Europe.

Sir John Simon’s Visit to Berlin is Postponed Beceived 1 p.m. to-day. BERLIN, March 5. Sir John Simon’s visit to Berlin has been postponed at the request of Herr Hitler, who is suffering from a cold. The length of the postponement of the conversations is not indicated. The evening papers publish a photograph of Herr Hitler, hatless, and wearing a light overcoat, cheerfully chatting with an official at the motor show on March 4, The Naehtausgabe, with unconscious irony, prints the picture next. to the laconic announcement of Herr Hitler’s indisposition; The Sun-Herald Service says that while cynics declare “Herr Hitler has caught a cold between the sheets of the 'White Paper,” British official comment is limited to a telegram that possibly Herr Hitler’s indisposition is more serious than is generally believed. It is known that he has been in ill-health for the past year, but withheld the knowledge from the German people. His visit to Saarbrucken at the week-end without an overcoat in drenching rain may aggravate the trouble.

On the contrary, if the White Paper is responsible for the postponement of Sir John Simon’s visit the British Government will take a most disquieting view, realising that nothing is likely to emerge from the consultations, because they might constitute a further German attempt to create an Anglo-French cleavage.

German Suspicion and Fear of Encirclement Received 1.20 p.m. to-day. LONDON, March 5. The Chronicle, in a leading article, says the White Paper has almost extinguished the hopes kindled by the Anglo-French. conversations.. Herr Hitler’s diplomatic illness reflected a disastrous recrudescence of German suspicion and fear of encirclement. Herr Hitler doubtless wanted time to consider. The position of the British Government in twenty-four hours had immeasurably worsened, but the international situation and the force of pacific public opinion might yet recall it to its senses.