Powers Sceptical

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 112, 24 April 1936, Page 5

Powers Sceptical

GERMAN GOOD FAITH Would Hitler Denounce Plan When Purpose Was Served? MANY POINTS RAISED By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright LONDON, April 23. “The necessity for a questionnaire to Germany arises largely out of the scepticism felt obth in London and Paris regarding Herr ' Hitler’s good faith,” says the “Morning Post’s” diplomatic correspondent. “What good, it is asked, can come of agreeing to a plan which is liable to be denounced by Herr Hitler when it no longer suits his purpose?

“The first essential question to be put to Germany is: ‘ls Germany prepared to abide by treaties freely signed?’ Next; ‘Does Germany still consider she is suffering from inequality?’ “Each time Herr Hitler has repudiated a contract, whether Versailles Treaty or the Locarno Pact, the excuse has always been that a clause in question represented an intolerable restriction upon German sovereignty.

“The Locarno Powers therefore want fo know whether such restrictions still exist, or whether, for instance, the status of German minorities abroad might not serve as a pretext for another Hitler coup. “The third main question concerns Herr Hitler’s proposal for non-aggres-sion pacts between Germacv and her neighbours; ‘Does this mean that, if Germany attacked one of her neighbours, the others would be prevented by their obligations towards Germany fiom going to her assistance?’ ’’ Herr Hitler, according to the “SunHerald” will also be asked whether his offer to rejoin the League means that he is prepared freely and without reservation to accept all obligations under the Covenant, and especially w-hether he is prepared to submit all disputes either to judicial setttlement or to the League Council and to accept the obligation to respect and guarantee the integrity of all member states.

He will also be invited to state precisely what he means by “colonial equality rights.” “The Times’’ diplomatic correspondent says that, following preparatory work by the staff of the Foreign Office, Mr Anthony Eden is busy on a questionnaire for Germany relating to Herr. Hitler’s peace plan. It is not expected that the document will be ready before next year.