GERMAN DEMANDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 306, 25 November 1937, Page 11

GERMAN DEMANDS

SIX POINTS GIVEN. RESULT OF TALKS. THE COLONIAL ISSUE. \ •' (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright.) LONDON, Nov. 24. The diplomatic correspondent of the Manchester Guardian summarises the German demands as outlined to lord Halifax by Herr Hitler as follows: (1) Germany is willing to rejoin the League on condition that the Covenant is redrafted, the sanctions clauses amended, every connection between the League and peace treaties severed, the war guilt clause cancelled and Italian sovereignty in Abyssinia, recognised by Britain. (2) Britain is to consent to the reorganisation of Czechoslovakia on the model of the Swiss federal system, with “Sudetanland” receiving a status analogous to that of a Swiss canton. ,

(3) Britain is to pledge herself to refrain from giving Austria any diplomatic, political, or military assistance.

(4) Germany pledges to refrain from raising the colonial issue for six years if Britain in return will pledge herself to assist Germany in recovering her former colonies when the six years are over. Germany promises not to establish naval or military bases in the former colonies. (5) Germany promises to do her best toward restoring peace in Spain when the British Government has given de jure recognition to the Salamanca Government.

(6) Germany promises to do her best to restore peace in the Far East.

Germany also demands the revision of the minorities treaties. Sudetanland is the region inhabited by the Sudetic German minority in Czechoslovakia.

“Acceptance of the German proposals,” says the Manchester Guardian, “will mean a crisis in the British and French proposals.” In a leading article, the Manchester Guardian say: “Britain clearly will not accept the programme under which she is invited to barter her interests and duty in Central Europe. She will be less disposed to do so when she reflects what acceptance would mean to the European countries which still look to Britain as a friend and champion in upholding international right and order. What Germany demands is a free hand in Austria and Czechoslovakia. Although Britain has an interest in both countries, Britain is virtually asked to recognise Austria and Czechoslovakia as Genpan ‘spheres of interest.’ ”

Tho Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says the questions of colonies, Austria, and Czechoslovakia and tho general _ Central European situation will be included in discussions to be held in London with the French Prime Minister, M. Cliautemps, and the Foreign Minister, M. Delbos. All these questions figured in the talks between Herr Hitler and Lord Halifax, especially Austria and Czechoslovakia.

Herr Hitler is believed to have emphasised that if the British and French Governments did not interfere in Danubian questions Germany . would not strive for territorial expansion and would refrain from resort to the use of physical force. Tho correspondent adds, as regards the colonial problem, that it is understood Germany. is demanding the immediate recognition of her right to own colonies, but 'will not press for the return of the territories taken from her at least until the various Central European problems have been satisfactorily settled.