The Situation in Europe

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 100, 1 May 1935, Page 7

The Situation in Europe

British Concern at German Re-armament

SUBMARINE AND AERIAL PROGRAMMES (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 29. The House of Commons reassembled to-day after the short Easter holiday. Particular interest in this week’s proceedings centres on the important foreign affairs debate which will take place on Thursday when the House, for the first time, will luivo the opportunity of discussing the results of the Stresa conference and the special session of the League of Nations which followed it. Sir John Simon will make a statement, and tho Prime Minister is expected also to take part in the debate.

It seems almost certain that references will bo made to German rearmament, since the apparently authoritative newspaper statements in regard to the extent to which this has proceeded and is proceeding have aroused very considerable concern. These statements have had particular reference to Germany’s air strength. During the week-end, news that the German Government has given orders for assembling the necessary parts for the construction of 12 small submarines of 250 tons each has caused surprise in London in view of the Anglo-Gcr-man naval conversations which had been arranged to take place during the next two or three weeks. Information that these orders have been given is reported to have conic from German official sources.

Every Day Counts Now SIR JOHN SIMON’S GRAVITY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 29. Anxiety regarding the international situation was revealed at question time to-day in the House of Commons on its reassembly after the Easter recess, and it became clear that the debate on foreign affairs on Thursday will be invested with much importance.

The Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, when asked for a statement on tho international situation, recalled the Prime Minister’s statement to tho House on tho Stresa conference, and said the results of the recent meeting of tho League of Nations Council had been fully reported in the Press, and would, no doubt, bo referred to during the debate.

Later he was asked whether he had been informed that the German Government had issued orders for the laying down of a number of submarine vessels and for the reopening of tho submarine school at Kiel, and what steps lie proposed to take in view of this further flagrant violation of the Versailles Treaty. He replied that the German Government had intimated that orders had been given for the construction of 12 250-ton submarines. The latter, he added, were now under consideration. No such official intimation had been made regarding the Kiel submarine school.

Replying to Sir Austen Chamberlain, who asked when intimation regarding the submarines was made to the Government, Sir John Simon, speaking from memory, said it was on April 25. Captain Sidney Herbert asked if the Government proposed to take steps to bring this further violation of the treaty to the notice of the League of Nations, and whether it was proposed to proceed with the arrangements for the Anglo-German naval conversations.

Sir John Simon, after remarking that as its gravity obviously justified, the matter was now under consideration, expressed the hope that he would not he pressed for further answers to-day. A question regarding the procedure for Thursday’s debate was addressed by Sir Austen Chamberlain to the Prime Minister, who said that the usual course of first consulting the Opposition would be followed. Mr George Lansbury, leader of the Opposition, said the Opposition took it for granted that the debate would be opened by a statement from the Government, and said he hoped the debate would be as broad as possible. The Prime Minister said these requests would certainly be complied with. In reply to Mr Winston Churchill, who asked for an assurance that, “as almost every day counted now,” the second foreign affairs debate would take place before the middle of May, the Prime Minister said the Government had no desire unduly to delay the debate.

Submarines Ready For Service SIX ALREADY AFLOAT LONDON, April 29. The Daily Herald learned in London to-night that six German submarines, half of those to bo built in defiance of the Versailles Treaty, are already afloat, complete in every detail, being fully manned and ready to begin manoeuvres at. Wilhelmshavcn. Submarine School at Kiel BLUEJACKETS IN THE STREET Received Tuesday, 7 p.m. BERLIN, April SO. A report from Kiel says that young bluejackets can be seen in the streets wearing a brassard inscribed “U Boat Schulc,” namely, tho submarine school.