GERMAN NAVY

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1939, Page 5

GERMAN NAVY

HITLER’S NOTICE

END OF BRPfISH AGREEMENT.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

LONDON, April 29

Herr Kordt called at the Foreign Office, to deliver the note referred to by Herr Hitler, in his speech, regarding the .Anglo-German naval agree-limeiit'-’of ;1930. The agreement stabilised the British-German naval ratio at 100 to 35 in all individual classes, and in total tonnage. Submarines >vert an exception, and in this class parity was accorded. The note of denunciation is understood to claim that Britain Tias . unilaterally' deprived tlu agreement of its basis, by means of the alleged encirclement policy.

Informed quarters in London point out that the agreement was expresslystated to be permanent, and that it contains no clause for denunciation, and that the only general reservation made by Germany’Was the right to examine the matter in conjunction with Britain, if general naval equilibrium should be violently upset by abuormal construction on the part of other Powers. . -

The vievv is” expressed 'that the least Germany fin’fght have done lyas ’to offer to discuss the 1 matter before,' rather than aftei- proceeding "to denunciation, a. course 'which is itself illicit.

With regard to the naval agreement of 1937. dealing with the advance exchange of information on building programmes and qualitative armaments, Germany notes the treaty dealing with the exchange of information but declares Germany’s intention of abiding by the qualitative restrictions.