GERMANY’S ARMS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 9, 21 December 1933, Page 7

GERMANY’S ARMS

NON-AGGRESSION France Receives Pact Terms RETURN OF THE SAAR By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright PARIS, December 20. A Note from Berlin has arrived outlining the conditions of the nonaggression pact recently discussed between Herr Hitler and M. Poncet. The German demands in the Note include the immediate return of the Saar territory without a plebiscite though France is left in possession of the mines until 1935; an increase in the effective strength of the Reichswehr to 300,000, who will be provided with defensive arms in limited quantities; lastly, Germany to accept unlimited control of armaments on an equal footing with other States,

Writing to “La Liberte” M. Jacques Bainville states that whereas Germany was allowed 102,000 rifles under the Versailles Treaty, she had 1,600,000 on October 31, 1932 and 2,500,000 on October 31, 1933, which is only 200,000 fewer than were destroyed after the war. Though only allowed 1926 machine guns under Versailles, Germany now has 35,000, apart from 6000 large guns, compared with the 288 prescribed by Versailles. M. Bainville adds that Germany has also quadrupled her railway lines along the western frontier, has enlarged railway bridges to allow 1300 trains to pass daily, and is constructing new shunting yards.

BRITISH FEELING Proposals Should be Discussed LONDON? December 20. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent states that British opinion is that Herr Hitler's proposals are far too earnest and important to justify a flat refusal to discuss them on the part of any Power interested in European peace. BRUSH IN THE CHAMBER Provision for More Recruits PARIS, December 20. Fiery exchanges between M. Daladier and M. Tardleu marked the passage of a bill altering the date of calling up recruits in order to provide for the lean years of 1936 to 1940, corresponding to the decrease of the wartime birth-rate M. Fabry ponted out that unless something was done the number of recruits would be 116,000 instead of the present 250,000. The bill would obtain 200,000, while 15,000 specialists

would be enlisted in the Moroccan units.

M. Tardieu charged M. Fabry with reducing the army early in 1914, a critical period for France. France must not only be strong but known to bo strong; her known weakness in 1914 contributed to the war. M. Daladier retorted that Franco with 468,000 soldiers on the active Met and 500,000 trained reservists, excellent modern war material and an Unexampled fortress system, could assure her own security. The frontier fortifications would eventually be extended to the sea coast. What was this manoeuvre to spread unjustifiable panic! M. Tardieu amid hoots and eheers furiously sprang to his feet and protested, the tumult continuing for several minutes.

DISARMAMENT PROBLEM Consideration by Britain British Official Wireless Service RUGBY, December 19. The disarmament question was again before the committee of Cabinet. Sir Eric Phipps was in attendance. Hie visit to London, following that of Lord Tyrrell, put the Ministers in possMsioa of the views of the French and German Governments The Ministers serving on the Cabinet committee include the Prime Minister, Mr Baldwin. Sir John Simon, Mr Neville Chamberlain, Mr J. H. Thomas, Sir B. E.yres-Monsell, Lord Hnilshsm and Lord Londonderry. Sir John Simon leaves London for France and Italy on Thursday after the Houso of Commons adjourns for the Christmas recess.