BERLIN TALKS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 28 March 1935, Page 5

BERLIN TALKS

DISPARITY OF OPINION Hitler’s “Fear” of Russia as Need to Maintain Forces AIR FORCE PARITY WANTED RIGHT TO NAVAL STRENGTH (United Fnm Association—Sy JEwirlo Telegraph Copyright*.

LONDON, March 27,

The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph at Berlin says that the Anglo-German conversations revealed a great disparity of opinion on almost every fundamental question. “Herr Hitler produced specially prepared maps showing the strength of the armies with which Germany was surrounded and apparently made it clear that he could not consider entering an eastern security system unless Russia reduced its forces,” the correspondent continues.

‘‘The German terms for the aoandonment of the present policy would involve substantial concessions to the German view by other European States, and the price at which settlement could be bought is steadily rising.

“With regard to the air force Herr Hitler stands for parity with France and Britain. He maintains that the strength of the German air force must also be governed by the force in Russia. He again produced maps showing that many of Germany’s leading towns could be bombed from Russian bases close to her western frontier, while Germany in retaliation could only drop bombs on the Rusian steppes.

“Her Hitler contends that in these circumstances the parity figure of a western air convention must be high, and that Britain has built an air arm to at least equality with the French. “As regards the navy, Herr Hitler recognised the British right to superiority, but it is understood the admiralty section of the Reichswehr claims a fleet of 400,000 tons, w'ith the right to equality in capital ships with France.”

THE! BOLSHEVIK PERIL “One may interpret Herr Hitler’s insistence on the Bolshevik peril as the stalking horse behind which Germany is advancing to a position dominating the military strength of middle Europe, or accept as a simple fact that the whole semi-religious fervour which inspired the Nazi doctrine springs from detestation of Communism. “In the circumstances it is useless to imagine that Herr Hitler will enter any east European pact under which German troops will be summoned to help Russia were she attacked by any of her anti-Bolshevik neighbours. Nor is there any possibility of admitting the Red Army to German soil to assist in the defence of Germany against an aggressor.

“Hence it is argued that Germany must be strong enough to defend herself. It is Herr Hitler’s conviction that if Germany makes herself sufficiently' strong she will he able to offer Britain an -Anglo-German offensive and defensive alliance and so act as a bulwark against the western spread of Bolshevism.

As regards the territorial features of the Versailles Treaty Germany will sign no instrument that does not reserve her right to press for adjustments by peaceful means. These adjustments include the reunion of East Prussia with the Reich through the elimination of the Polish corridor, the re-adjustment of the Polish frontier in Silesia, the return of 3,000,000 Teutons now in Czechoslovakia to German rule, and finally economic union with Austria.

“Germany’s plan of action is clear. While rejecting the principle of mutual assistance she offers to conclude bilateral pacts of non-aggression with all her neighbours after agreement on matters of friction. Germany will then possibly return to the League of Nations for the purpose of signing a general settlement—but not before. The Berlin correspondent of the Times says the discussion regarding the German colonies did not proceed far, perhaps because after a few minutes it appeared not worth pursuing at the present crowded moment.

DEFENCE OF FRONTIERS The Daily Mail’s Berlin correspondent says that when Sir John Simon inquired why Germany needed such a formidable force Herr Hitler instanced the 2000 miles of land frontiers facing nine States, many of which Germany was compelled to regard as potential enemies. Moreover, they were fully armed. Herr Hitler emphasised that he could not reduce the contemplated 36 divisions. The Daily Mail’s Paris correspondent says that if Britain is satisfied with Sir John Simon’s report he might recommend an invitation to Germany to the Stresa Conference, enabling an immediate discussion of European settlement, eliminating the French appeal to the League, to which M. Laval is opposed. If M. Laval decides to go to Moscow’ before the Stresa Conference he may visit Herr Hitler en route. The Paris correspondent of the Times says M. Flandin in the Chamber on the debate on the traffic in arms announced that a Bill was being prepared enabling the Government to requisition all supplies of munitions in wartime, eliminating all private profit. A Socialist motion for public control over the ax-ms trade was rejected by 374 votes to 210.