BRITISH ROLE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 92, 18 March 1936, Page 9

BRITISH ROLE

MEDIATOR AMONG POWERS

GERMAN REQUEST.

A GUARDED REPLY

(United Press Association—By Electric * Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received March 18, 11.12 a.m. RUGBY, March 17. .

The German Foreign Minister this morning saw the British Ambassador in Berlin and informed him that the German Government expected the British Government to do its utmost in the circumstances of the case to bring about, at the proper time, a dis-cussion-with the interested Powers ot the German proposals for the establishment of European peace on a new basis.

The Ambassador communicated with the British Government, which later replied to the German Government m the following terms: —“His Majesty’s Government are. doing, and will continue to do, their utmost to find a moans of bringing about a peaceful settlement and satisfactory settlement of the present difficulties. It is clear to His Majesty’s Government that the proposals of the Chancellor, as well as any proposals made by the other parties concerned, must be discussed at the proper time. The German Government will appreciate, however, that it is not possible for His Majesty’s Government to give any more explicit undertaking at this stage.”

THE RUSSIAN PACT. At . the public sesison of the League Council statements were made by the Turkish, Russian, and Chilean members with reference to the resolution introduced by the French and Belgian delegates. M. Litvinoff (Russia) made a long speech, in which he defended the Franco-Soviet Pact as being in conformity with the Covenant and the Locarno Treaty, and recalled that the British and Italian Governments had so interpreted it, but Germany, he averred, had peremptorily declared that France, Britain, Belgium, and Italy had interpreted it incorrectly and that the only correct interpretation was her own. .

The Russian member concluded “We stand for an international agreement which would not only consolidate the existing foundations of pence but, if possible, would likewise create new foundations. We stand for participation in such an agreement of all countries, which we desire, but we object to the idea that withdrawal from the League or brutal infringement of international treaties . should confer upon a State the privilege of dictating to the whole of Europe its conditions.” The Chilean member spoke in favour of referring the question to the Hague Court for an advisory opinion. The Council adjourned till to-morrow afternoon. The vote on the FrancoBelgian resolution will not be taken till Thursday, and the German representative will have full facilities for stating the German case. THINGS TO REMEMBER. Lord Cecil, in a broadcast speech to the United States, expressed the view that Germany’s repccupation of the Rhineland should, as a first step, be referred to the Hague Court. Referring to Hear Hitler’s offer of 'a 25 years’ non-aggression pact, he recalled that Germany was already bound by thc-Briand-lvellogg Pact, never to use war as an instrument of national jtolicy. Regarding the offer of a fresh demiltarised zone, ho asked what security was there that Herr Hitler would not at some future time march into such a new zone. The recent secret and sudden increase in the German air force, and Germany’s earlier abrupt withdrawal from the League of Nations, were incidents which must bo remembered in considering Herr Hitler’s offer for a partial limitation of air forces and his willingness to rejoin the League.

LABOUR CONFERENCE. The International Labour Conference to consider the European situation began in London to-day with the meeting of the council of the International Federation of Trade Unions. The executive of the Labour and Socialist International will meet to-morrow, and in the evening the national council of the British Labour Movement will consider the outcome of these preliminary and also the general situation. On Thursday there will be a joint meeting of the two internationals. tel. i