ORDER IN SAAR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 291, 6 November 1934, Page 7

ORDER IN SAAR

ASSURANCE BY GERMANY.

TO BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

FOREIGN SECRETARY’S STATEMENT.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received November 6, 11.45 a.m. RUGBY, Nov. 5.

The Foreign Secretary (Sir John Simon), replying to a question in the House of Commons with reference to the maintenance of order in the Saar territory, where the plebiscite is to be held on January 13, said the responsibility for maintaining order rests with the Governing Commission of the Saar, and this responsibility continues to be successfully discharged. A. situation in which the Government of the Saar found itself unable to mamtain order ought not to occur. There had never been any question as to the use of British troops. Any French dispositions in the part of France bordering on the Saar territory on the west were purely precautionary and there could be no question as to the use of external force for preserving order, unless the Saar Governing Commission wa's unable to discharge the task laid upon it and was compelled to ask for assistance. “The German Ambassador saw me at my request and confirmed that the German Government authorities had issued an order to the S.A. and S.S. formations on the German side of the Saar frontier prohibiting over a belt 25 miles wide, and over a period which covers the date of the taking of tho plebiscite, the wearing of uniforms, parades, processions, or gatherings of any kind. They have, at the same time, issued a solemn assurance that there is no danger of invasion on the territory of the Saar.

“I have expressed both to Herr Yon Hoesch and the French Ambassador the satisfaction of His Majesty's Government at this announcement. I at tbs same time received from the French Ambassador an assurance that the French arrangements are purely of a precautionary kind. In these circumstances we have a right to expect, with due restraint in all quarters, that the plebiscite which it is the duty of the Council of the League to conduct will be carried through properly and in order,” Sir John Simon stated.