NO ALTERNATIVE

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 July 1935, Page 7

NO ALTERNATIVE

TO ANGLO-GERMAN NAVAL PACT

BRITAIN PACED FAIT ACCOMPLI.

(By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copvright) Received Wednesday, 9.50 p.m. ,- LONDON, July 10. The Daily Telegraph's diplomatic correspondent says it can now be revealed that when General von Bibbenirop arrived in London to negotiate the Anglo-German naval agreement he intimated that the whole German programme with the exception of a few submarines had already been put in hand and Germany was determined in any complete it. Britain was thus presented with a fait accompli. The programme was in fact the naval counterpart of Hitler's - military conscription announcement. Moreover, General von Ribbentrop also intimated that the total tonnage of the German fleet might reach a much higher'figure. Germany, however, was ready to set a limit to her naval ambitions at a point 05 per cent, below the British Empire's total naval strength if Britain would openly admit that Germany was entitled to a fleet of those , proportions. Foreign countries blaming Britain for coming" to terms so hastily with Germany may now take a different view of the position because the practical considerations impelling the British decision were based on the fact that the major facts were already accomplished. It is estimated that the cost of Germany's programme (announced yesterday) will be about £80,000,000.

" I Told You So "

SARCASM BATHER THAN SURPRISE IN PRANCE

LONDON, July 9,

The Paris correspondent of The Times: says that the German naval programme evokes sarcasm rather than surprise. The tendency is to say "I told, you so" to Britain iristead of to ta.ke the revelation too much to heart. , Experts regard the announcement of two. 26,000-ton capital ships- as a confession of at least partial failure of the famous pocket battleships, which are

reported to have shown 'serious defects. ■>, France has a reply in two projected , i 35,000-ton ships which are unlikely to . bo outclassed at least for the present, owing to the dimensions of the Keil Canal. •

Up to Prance ' ■■; DISCUSSION OF STRENGTHS \ ■ LONDON, July 9. The Times, in a leader, declares that the publication of the German naval programme has revived in England and France some misgivings similar to those which greeted the Anglo-German ' agreement in June, but the great merit of the treaty is that it is a starting point for future pacts, and therefore it is necessary that other countries should show a readiness to disclose their programmes beforehand. France may learn the 'German programme up to 1942 if she makes her own intentions leno'wn. Sihe does not appear to be ready to do so, and therefore international conversations cannot proceed. It is hoped that France will see the advantage to Europe of allowing a full •discussion of future naval strengths. The Anglo-German naval strengths stand or fall together. Britain's efforts •will be devoted to preserving the qualitative and quantitative limitations of all countries by amicable agreements.