GERMAN REPLY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1935, Page 3

GERMAN REPLY

TO NGLO-FRENCH PROPOSALS. AIR PACT WELCOAIED. (British UJjiciul Wireless.) RUGBY, Feb. 15. The German reply to the AngloFrench declaration was issued at Berlin last evening, it welcomes the spirit of the friendly confi ience animating the discussions between individual governments which found expression, in, the communication, and says the German Government will make an exhaustive which was laid before it- of the Eurooxamina/tiem of the entire complex pean questions raised in the first part of the London communique. The proposed air convention is also welcomed and the German Government expresses readiness to seek as soon such a convention as guarantees the Governments concerned ways whereby as possible in free agreement with the greatest, possible security to all signatories can become a reality The German Government considers it desirable first to clarify in separate conversations with the Gove-rnmeiMs concerned a . number of preliminary questions of principle, and would be glad if the British Government, as that partner in the London conversations which is at the -same time a guarantor of the Locarno Pact, were to begin when ready to enter into a direct exchange of viesw on the subject with the German Government. Concurrence is expressed with the opinion that an air convention would be an important step toward solidarity among the European states, and calculated to lead to a solution of other European problems satisfactory to all the states. The text of fthe German reply is at nresent under careful examination in London. The German Government today commupnieated it also to the Italian and Belgian Governments. It is generally considered that the renly obviously evaded many issues. Great Britain has consistently maintained that the Anglo-French proposals cannot he partially accented. She will not. however. ron-ard the reply as a rejection, hut will tcinncri.se and brinoabout further negotiations. Germany’s attitude to the air p.m-t is admittedly favourable, but the air pact cannot be excluded from the proposals as k whole.

FRENCH PRESS CRITICISM. PESSIMISTIC VIEWS. PARIS, February 10. The newspapers criticise the German reply to the Anglo-French proposals. “Pertinax” regards it as ‘cute, equivocal aiuT lull of mental restrictions,” and expresses the opinion tha Germany will either mutilate the project or drag out negotiations while she completes her preparations. The “Petit Parisien” condemns the chilliness of the reply, which it says accords ill with the friendliness of the invitation. “If Germany is not in a position fully to subscribe to the details, she could at least have manifested general approval.” Another newspaper expresses the opinion that Germany has too clever. On the contrary, official quarters are less optimistic and do not object to the Anglo-German tete-a-tete.