GERMAN DELEGATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 93, 19 March 1936, Page 7

GERMAN DELEGATION

ARRIVAL IN LONDON WORK OF RECONSTRUCTION MR EDEN PLEDGES BRITAIN (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received March 19, 9.45 a.m. LONDON, March 18. Herr Von Ribbentrop’s party to represent Germany at the talks in London, arrived at Croydon at 5.7 p.m. and were met by Herr Von Hoescli (German Ambasador). The Locarno representatives met at 12.15 p.m. and adjourned at 3.55 without reaching a decision. The meeting will resume at 10 p.m. Herr Von Ribbentrop sent a message that he would be unable to attend any meeting to-day. The Foreign Minister (Air R. A. Eden) was the first speaker at the resumed public session of the League Council. He said the structure of security and confidence had been seriously shaken. “The British Government will take its full part in the work of reconstruction, especially in the organisation of security for Western Europe,” said Air Eden. “I have already stated before the Council the Government’s view that it is patent that an incontestable breach of the Treaty of Versailles relating to the demilitarised zone has been committed. The Government is of the opinion that it would be right for tlie Council to come to a similar conclusion and to notify its finding „to the Locarno signatories.”

OPPORTUNTIES REMAIN. Continuing, Mr Eden said: It it the Council s duty not merely to declare Uiat a breach has been committed, but to work lor tlie preservation of peace. The Locarno 'treaty aimeu at preserving peace and solemnly safeguarding tne security of AYestern Europe. The German Government, who emphasise repeatedly that their aim is peace and ilie restoration of confidence, will surely recognise, with Die other Governments, that confidence depends on belief in the sanctity ol treaties. “It is essential not merely that peace be maintained but that tile spectre of war should be exorcised in future. To that end all lines of approach should be examined. “Advantage may be taken of two elements of the situation,” Air Eden said. “Firstly, Germany's breach, however plain, did not carry an imminent threat of hostilities and has not involved the immediate action for which, ill certain circumstances, Locarno provides. Secondly, the situation, however grave, carries with it opportunities. 1 welcome M. Van Zeeland’s declaration that, in spite of what lias happened, treaties will be required in future, and an effort must be made to reconstruct international life.” Mr Eden concluded by hoping that the'collective wisdom of the Council would suggest the course best designed to secure the maintenance of peace on the foundation of respect for law.

HIGH HOPES. ON GERMAN LEADER. CONFERENCE AVITH HITLER. Received March 19, 10.30 a.m. BERLIN, March 18. Herr A r on Ribbentrop worked feverishly virtually all night. He had a conference with Herr Hitler and Baron Von Neurath after midnight, receiving instructions, and was again at the AA’ilhelmstrasse in the morning to have vital points further elucidated. High hopes are centred on Herr Von Ribbentrop, based on his success in connection with, the Anglo-German naval agreement. There are ample, indications that the German public are gradually realising the seriousness of the international situation, because world opinion is now percolating to the public via private clubs, where foreign newspapers are eagerly scanned. As a result, what does not appear in the German Press is circulated from mouth to mouth, making up for the deficiencies in what “the Ministry of Public Enlightenment” serves out. TROOPS REMAINING. GOERING’S DECLARATION. COLOGNE, March 17. “Our troops are in the Rhineland and will remain there. We will talk peace with others, but what we do at home does not concern them,” declared General Goering (Air Minister), from tlie balcony of the Town Hall in the culminating speech of a tour of the Rhineland, in wnich lie. received a tremendous ovation.

, ITALY’S'ATTITUDE. Signor Grandi said Italy was fully conscious of its responsibilities and remained faithful to its engagements. It could not be expected tliat Italy would join in the application of measures to which its own people had been subjected. “It is regrettable that the political basis on which Locarno rests should have been undermined by sanctions being applied against Italy at a moment when Italy is needed as a guarantor of security for Europe,” said Signor Grandi. M. Beck said the Rhineland occupation was a fact to which the Council should bear witness, but he thought the surrounding circumstances were rather a matter for the Locarno signatories. M. Titulescu said the Little Entente countries had only one answer—- “ Yes.” Violation had been committed. They were not opposed to a discussion of Germany’s peace plan, but this must occur at tlie opportune moment, namely, after tlie question raised by France and Belgium had been satisiactorily answered. Senor Garcia declared that Spain would support the contention of France and Belgium. M. Munch (Denmark) hoped the negotiations after the present' session of the Council would achieve, durable peace and give the peoples of tlie world that feeling of security . winch they ardently desired. . Senor Guinazu (Argentina) supported France and Belgium. He held that treaties should not be denounced unilaterally unless such denunciation was explicitly provided.

The tour started at Assmannshauseii, whence the general travelled by steamer to Cobleutz, the river banks being lined with people. Thirty thousand waited hours to greet him at Cologne. General Goering to-night spoke at Dortmund, advising European statesmen to make a week-end trip to the Rhineland instead of haggling in London. General Goering declared : “It is possible to write ‘Germany may not have troops in the Rhineland’ but it means that the whole frontier will be undefended. At the back of it is the unspeakable horror of murder, fire and death. How many people are behind M. Flandin? Only those support him who incite men to war. Foreigners think that if we are dependent on foreign raw materials, they have their hand at our throat, but the stronger their pressure the stronger we shall be. Germany cannot be forced down by sanctions. He who wants to attack Germany must pay for every mile of German soil with countless lulled. Russians live under the whips of Stalin as they were formerly under the whips of the Tsar. The Bolsheviks are doing their best to see that Herr Hitler’s offer is not accepted. An appeal must be made to common sense.”

GERMANY DEFINITE. SMALL POWERS CONCERNED. Received March 19, 10.35 a.m. . LONDON, March ,18. The Manchester Guardian’s political correspondent says Germany’s attitude has stiffened as a result of yesterday’s developments. I She considers even the symbolical withdrawal of the Rhineland troops out of the question and will not even accept the suggestion favoured in London that they should withdraw from the Belgian frontier. The smaller Powers, who feel menaced by Germany, especially Czechoslovakia, regard 'the developments as gloomy and full of foreboding. Seldom has there been a League meeting at which the small Powers have been permitted to say so little. They are becoming more depressed as Germany is becoming more elated. The Paris Press shows great bitterness, emphaising that Britain does not realise the seriousness of the European situation. Semi-official circles in Paris, commenting on the British plan, point out that whoever devised it was ignorant of the French psychology. France would never agree to foreign forces policing her territory. . Germany has probably taken a similar view, add. The proposals leave France’s allies at the mercy of Germany.

GERMANY PLEASED. ATTENDANCE AT TALKS. WAY OPEN FOR LOAN? BERLIN, March 17. German political circles aie smiles to-night at what is regarded as Herr Hitler’s success in securing representation at the London conference. It is believed litat the country will reflect its feeling at the election with an almost 100 per cent, vote tor the Nazi candidates. There is also hope that Germany’s financial difficulties at present will be relieved by a substantial foreign loan for which, it is believed, the way has already been prepared by an exchange of visits between German and English bankers. The German delegation to the League Council meeting will total about 30 and will include, besides Herr Yon Ribbentrop, Herr Dieekhoff, head of the political department of the Foreign Office, who spent several years in the London Embassy after the war. There will also lie Foreign Office experts, interpreters, and secretaries.