Germany Attends League Council

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 64, 17 March 1936, Page 7

Germany Attends League Council

But on Her Own Terms

France Sfrongly Objeds

Crisis Still Acute

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

Received Monday, 7.55 p.m

LONDON, Max-ch 15.

Herr Adolf Hitler’s reply to the League Council’s invitation to attend, signed by the Foreign Minister, Baron von Neurath states that Germany is prepared in principle to accept the invitation and assumes that her representatives will participate on equal terms with the representatives of the Powers in the Council’s discussions. The decision adds: “Germany must draw attention to the following fundamental considerations, namely: The German Government’s action which led to the summoning of the Council by France and Belgium does not consist merely in the restoration of German sovereignty in the lihineland, but is bound up with comprehensive concrete proposals to give a new assurance of peace in Europe. “The Germany Government regards its political action as a whole, the component parts of which cannot be separated from one another. Theerfore Germany can participate in the Council proceedings only if she is assured that the Powers concerned are prepared to enter into negotiations forthwith regarding her proposals.” British Circles Disappointed. British circles, though amenable to Hitler’s request for equal treatment, regard the reply generally as disappointing. However, the Council must decide at its secret meeting on the 16th whether Germany’s conditions are acceptable. The Times’ Berlin correspondent says Hitler and his colleagues arc unanimous that they are not willing to sit at a Council table at which the exclusive subjects of discussion will be the guilt or otherwise of Germany regarding the violation of the Locarno and Versailles Treaties. Meanwhile Berlin’s life proceeds normally, though the Nazi leaders are in constant conclave regarding preparations to stand an economic siege and resist a military invasion, though the latter is not now seriously expected. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent points out that the League Council’s decisions must be unanimous. Therefore if Germany’s condition of equality is granted she could block the Council’s decision by her own vote. He adds: “The reply is regarded in British Ministerial circles as totally unacceptable and mischievous in its apparent attempt to drive a wedge between France and Britain.” Flandin’s Flat Refusal. The French Foreign Minister, M. Flandin, interviewed, formally refused to admit Herr Hitler’s proposals to discuss the Locarno Pact simultaneously with the peace suggestions because he (M. Flandin) came to London to enable the violation of the Locarno Pact to be recorded. “I will not agree to discuss anything else. I will, if necessary, leave London and even the League Council.” in Paris the opinion is generally expressed that the League’s future is at stake. Hitler’s reply caused surprise because the conditions are x-egarded as tantamount to a refusal. France will not change her policy, considering that the Council’s main discussions must be negotiations or no negotiations, sanctions or no sanctions. e The entire Cabinet supports M. Flandin’s statement.