PROPOSED VISITS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 88, 12 March 1935, Page 7

PROPOSED VISITS.

SATISFACTION OF SOVIET.

COMMENT ON DEBATE

(British Offici.il Wireless.) Received March 12. 11.49 a.m. RUGBY, March 11., The British Ambassador at Berlin was informed yesterday by the German Foreign Minister that the cold ancl hoarseness from which Herr Hitler was suffering required two weeks’ special treatment. The Russian Ambassador called at the Foreign Office and expressed the satisfaction of the Soviet Government with the prospect of the visit of Mr R. A. Eden to Moscow. He hoped it would be possible shortly to fix a date for the visit.

Commenting on the issues involved, in the defence debate, the Times points out that it was always obvious that, failing' the immediate success of the Disarmament Conference, the arrears of several years’ economies in the Service Estimates would have to bo made up, Britain would soon be better equipped to play her full part in a collective system, particularly in the air. As soon as a collective system could be made a reality, the logical and natural

consequence would be a reduction all round of individual national forces. GERMAN AIR FORCE. DEFENCE AGAINST ATTACK. • RANK FOR OFFICERS. LONDON, March 11. The Daily Mail’s Berlin correspondent says that officers of the German Flying Union will receive military titles and badges on April 1, their first official recognition. General Goering explains that not all officers will have military rank and badges. His policy is not to create an offensive air arm but a force strong enough to defend Germany against aerial attack. Germany, in reply to the British air pact proposals, approved of the effective defence methods proposed therein and expressed her readiness to send 'an air force to help any country threatened by aerial aggression. This necessitated defining the specific air strength available, which entailed distinguishing those who have become members of the fighting air force and those remaining as civil aviators. The Air Ministry controlled both branches under General Goering, as air general. The new force would never be employed to threaten the peace of other nations.