GERMAN FEELERS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 10, 22 December 1933, Page 7

GERMAN FEELERS

NON AGGRESSION PACTS Close Study by Britain I SIR JOHN SIMON’S OUTLINE (British Official Wireless.) (Received 22, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 21. The House of Commons will adjourn to-day tor the Christmas recess, reassembling on January 29th. The acting Labour Leader, Major Attlee, asked the Foreign Secretary if he could give any information as to the progress made in the supplementary and parallel conversations which had taken place with France and Germany. He also asked what, attitude the Government was taking regarding the suggested alteration in the constitution of the League of Nations. Sir John Simon remarked that there had been very prompt and vigorous efforts from more capitals than one since Germany’s withdrawal from the Disarmament Conference. One of the most important things that had happened was that Herr Hitler had been making some declarations by wireless and other means, which, whatever we might think of their contents, were of very great moment to the world. One declaration was of special interest to France. Almost at the same time as Germany withdrew Herr Hit- | ler said: “It would be of first imporI tance for the two nations if Germany I and France could once and for all ban the use of force from their common lives. No territorial conflict, exists between the two countries so far as Germauy is concerned, once the Saar is returned.” The British Government had been concerning themselves actively with what the real purpose of those declarations was, said Sir John Simon. They had made it plain in making such inquiries that they were not expressing approwil nt some proposals which had been thrown out or indicated, but it did appear to them that it was certainly their duty to do their utmost to clarity the situation and find out what was really behind it.

It appeared that on the political side of the technical question of armament, Herr Hitler had made propositions which certainly were intended to be formal proposals, and that information published that he was suggesting non-aggressive pacts between Germany and her neighbours was justified. As the Government understood it the proposals under that head did not confine themselves to ope particular neighbour, but were put forward for consideration by all of Germany's neighbours. In dealing with the matter the Government had been very careful to indicate that they had not forgotten the obligations which rested on members of the League and therefore the form in which such pacts of non-aggression might be cast* would have to be considered in view of the undoubted obligations which the Covenant put on the parties to it The Government also had been in very close contact with those best informed on the French attitude Inquiries and discussions between the va. rious Governments and capitals had been going on and were now continuing.

Sir John Simon stated that he would see the French Foreigri Minister in Paris possibly to-morrow. They were in constant communication, and it was extremely important that they should get as closely together as they could in understanding how the suggestions put forward by Germany stood in regard to the policy and requirements of Germany’s neighbours. It was impossible to make any explicit declaration when the conversations were being pursued. There was, however, the moment coining when undoubtedly these different inquiries must be gathered together to see what result they produced.

It was hoped to ressume the Disarmament Conference in January, when a statement must be made as to their results. He could not regard at this stage bilateral communications as other than the intermediate or preliminary stage which ought to lead to wider application.

Regarding the inspection of armaments. Sir John Simon said he understood that the German Government, as part ot their general scheme, were prepared to contemplate the establishment of international inspection and control of armaments in all countries periodically and automatically. In this respect there undoubtedly had been an advance in public opinion generally. Regarding the League of Nations, Sir John Simon reiterated the British policy to unswervingly stand by and support the League. Whilst they observed the declarations made by foreign countries indicating a desire for revision of the League, they had no reason to suppose that any definite proposals were being advanced Ho did not know ot any.