GERMAN STAND

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 29 March 1935, Page 8

GERMAN STAND

OUTCOME OF TALKS Little in Common With British Views POINTS RAISED BY HITLER RIGHTS OF DEFENCE £ ___ (British Official W/reless) , Received 2.30 p.m. to-day. RUGBY, March 28. Information is scanty regarding the trend 1 of the Berlin conversations, but in Ministerial circles it is felt that they have at least served the pui’pose of effecting a . “complete clarification of the respective points of view”, alike in to the eastern European pact, the non-interference (pact for Austria and questions of disarmament and a return to the League of Nations.

The conversations have revealed but little common ground between the British and German view. The German objections to the eastern pact are already well known, and are understood to remain unshaken.

In regard to disarmament, while supporting a limitation in principle . nd expressing a willingness to renounce weapons which other nations would abolish by agreement, complete equality and Germany’s full right to determine the needs or her own defences in relation to the armed forces of her neighbours werCy it is understood, insisted upon. It is understood also that concessions in various fields were outlined by Herr Hitler as indicating the conditions upon which the German return to the League of Nations might be ..effectedSir John Simon was received in audience by the King at Buckingham Palace to-day. He spent three-quarters of an hour in the private apartments talking with His Majesty. It is understood that he discussed with the King the conversations he had at Berlin.

Responding in the House of Commons to a request from Mr George La ns bury, the Labour leader, for a statement .on the Berlin visit, Sir John Simon paid: “The House is aware that the visit to Berlin is one of a series of visits of exploration and enquiry now being paid on behalf of His Majesty’s Government tp various foreign capitals, and that when these visits are concluded they will be followed by a meeting at Stresa, North Italy, where I hope to meet Signor Mussolini and M. Laval. In these circumstances it is obviously undesirable to make a full statement as to the position still under investigation. Unauthorised speculations such as have appeared in some quarters should he disregarded. I might add, however, .that in the course of two days’ conversations with HenHitler, the European problem in relation to Germany was reviewed, and all the topics mentioned in the London communique of February 3 were brought under discussion. “A considerable divergency of opinion between the two Governments was revealed. By the conversations, but the result of the meeting was undoubtedly valuable, in that both sides were able clearly to understand their respective points of view. A process indispensable to any further progress.” Asked if . any conversations that had taken place or would take place within the _next ten or eleven days would alter the position the Stresa. con- i ference, or had the conference been | definitely arranged between the three Powers, Sir John replied that tin Stresa meeting was for the three Powers, and lie did not think it possible for him or anybody to speculate as to what would be possible events after that.

DISCUSSIONS AT MOSCOW. Mr Anthony Eden-had conversations lasting over two hours with M. Litvinoff at Moscow. The matters discussed related’; to the subjects mentioned in the Anglo-French communique of February 3, and to the visit which Mr Eden paid with Sir John Simon to Berlin. The conversation is stated to have been conducted in a very friendly and cordial atmosphere. It will be resumed to-morrow morning, and in the afternoon Mr Eden will meet M. Stalin.

It is understood that this will he the first occasion on which M. Stalm will have discussed international relations with the-representative of a foreign Government, such matters hitherto having been exclusively in the hands of M. LtvinofF. The Soviet authorities have given ample evidence of a desire to do Mr Eden honour. When he arrived this morning the Alexandrovsky terminus was lavishly decorated with British flags and the crowds of people watched him drive away from the station. ROYAL TOAST HONOURED.

The Royal Toast was unprecedentedly proposed hy the Soviet, when iM. Litvinoff, at the reception of Mr Eden, toasted King George, and British happiness and prosperity. He emphasised that the- visit was an important milestone in Anglo-Russian relations, which economically and culturally had been developing for the last fourteen years, the political side now; showing a distinct improvement. The visit was also significant, owing to the alarming impediments arising in the preservation of international peace, although a consoling feature was that it was impossible to point to groups of powers awaiting a propitious moment to attack each other, while an overwhelming majority favoured peace. Nevertheless, the fact that danger spots might be located did not imply that they were localised.

Referring to Russia’s acceptance of the Franco-British proposals of February 3, he believed Mr Eden’s visit Avould fruitfully contribute to such cooperation, and the coming weeks would show whether the European statesmen were capable of carrying out the proposals. Mr Eden, replying, stressed the importance of Russia’s entrance to the League, and added thaf his firm belief, which was unweakened by visits recently paid, was that a frank, personal exchange of views could alone improve the anxious European position.