European and Not German Problem

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 65, 18 March 1936, Page 5

European and Not German Problem

How France Views Rhineland

Springboard For Easy Conquest

Received Tuesday, 11.55 p.w. LONDON, March 17. The Guardian’s Paris correspondent says the occupation of the Rhineland has not only completely shaken French confidence and faith in the effectiveness of international agreements, at least as far as Germany is concerned, but also has greatly weakened France’s military position firstly by giving back to Germany her traditional “springboard” for an invasion; and secondly, if Germany builds fortifications, by rendering her western frontier practically immune against attack with a force of from 200,000 to 300,000, while the rest of the German forces could strike France through Holland or Belgium, thus greatly increasing Germany’s chances of waging a successful

W Therefore; it is argued that the Rhineland fortifications are a European problem and must be accounted for in any settlement respecting Germany. AS A BRITISH GENERAL SEES IT GERMANY JUST ESCAPED NET Received Tuesday, 7 p.m. LONDON, March 16. Sir lan Hamilton, in a letter to the Times declares that the Rhineland zone was not demilitarised in order to prevent an outbreak of hostilities but to ensure that France would not be delayed at the outbreak of the next war, in striking immediately into the heart of the enemy’s country. He adds that Czechoslovakia, under the Franco-Soviet Pact, will become an aerodrome for siv arming Russian bombing ’planes. Most soldiers agree _ that Germany escaped this net just in time. League Council in Secret Session LONDON, March 16 The League Council assembled at 3.50 p.m. for a private session and then at 3.55 p.m. began a secret session. A communique stated that at a private meeting the Council again considered the French and Belgian communications dealing with the Locarno Treaty. ' .... Mr. Stanley Bruce read the invitation to Germany, also tiio German reply. Mr. Bruce suggested that prior to holding the public meeting the Council should consider the two questions raised in the German reply and asked whether the proposals made in Hitler’s speech should be discussed immediately, or in the near future. The Council decided to consider the German reply immediately at the secret meeting which is now in progress. Hopes Centre on Hitler LONDON, March JO. The League aud the Locarno Dowers arc again awaiting Herr Hitler s word. That is the position to-night. The Associated Dress is assured that nothing but the form of invitation to Germany was discussed at to-day’s private session. The League Council decided that it was incompetent to deal with the second section of the German reply, which is a matter for tho Locarno Dowers alone. The British Government is hopeful that Herr iiitler will accept the latest invitation and by sending a special envoy provide more encouraging circumstances for the Locarno Dowers to discuss his European peace proposals. Should Germany accept, the position would be that llic votes of France, Belgium and Germany as guaranteed Dowers under Locarno would not count in calculating unanimiity, but the votes of Britain and Italy as guarantor Dowers would count. The closest parallel lu bringing Germany before the Council is the ease of the Mosul boundary disputo in 1023, when Turkey (then a noil-mem-ber) was assured that there was no reason to fear the nature of her reception from tho Council. The other feature of the proceedings was M. Flandiu’s formal demand that the Council record Germany’s violation of Locarno, whereupon Mr S. M. Bruce delayed discussion. The Times’ Munich correspondent says the censor drastically handled Herr Hitler’s Munich speech, a tame version appearing in the German Dress.

united Press Assn. —By Electric Telegraph. Copyright.

1 France Must Face the Consequences HITLER’S ELECTION SPEECH Fi; ANKF U RT-ON-M AIN, Mar. 10. llcrr Hitler, in his election speech,, said: “Germany has concluded no military alliances. They only lead to illdefined commitments. Nevertheless, France, whom we cannot hindor, has concluded such alliances and must face the consequences. “Germany will never recede from her claim for equality and sovereignty, and a backward step would leave an impossible foundation and sow hatred. I go this way for the sake of Germany because any distress is better than a condition leading to fresh burdens. Wo are prepared for every reconciliation except one counter to our honour." The meeting was marked by the customary band music, well-managed spot lighting, and continuous applause. Peace With France is Germans’ Desire FE ANKFUET-ON-MAIN, Mar. 16. “Germans, do you want to bury the hatchet with France?" asked Herr Hitler of 25,000 hearers in the Exhibition Hall. Ho received a deafening reply, “Yes, yes.” The crowd stood in flag-bedecked streets all day awaiting Herr Hitler’s clccliou address. Everyono cheered General Goering and General von Blomberg as they were en route to the Exhibition Hall. Special importance attached to the occasion, as it was the anniversary of the rcintroductiou of conscription. The local Nazi Governor, Herr Sprcugcr, opened the proceedings, declaring that Germany stood solid behind Herr Hitler. The populace of the Rhineland had had to live under a threat of foreign guns, but Germany had achieved all she had done by lighting, and would continue to fight. Every negro tribe had a right of selfdefence, and only Germany was not to have it. , Herr Hitler, who spoke for an hour and 12 minutes, declared that the world must knefw there was only one will and ono faith in Germany that which the Fuhrcr expressed. He had not removed, but had simplified, democracy. The world formerly had valued education, birth, and knowledge, but the new principles of courage, sacrifice, and unity must now be upheld. Every treaty-originating in Drute force, mcnaco and oppression would bo only briefly tolerated by history. A dozen labour servicemen forming a cordon on tho platform fainted during Hitler’s speech. A great military tattoo followed the meeting and troops marched through Berlin.

France to Urge Hague Test Received Tuesday, 7 p.m. LONDON, Mar. 16. Tho Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says M. Flandin intends to urge that the Franco-Soviet Pact must be considered by tho Hague Court with (he view of establishing whether it is out of harmony with the Locarno Treaty and will demand that Germany abide by tho decision and withdraw her Rhineland forces if the verdict is against her. Condemned by Vatican Received Tuesday, 10.55 p.m. ROME, Mar. 17. The Vatican organ Osservatorc Romano, belatedly strongly condemns Germany’s treaty-breaking. “Whatever tho reasons Germany may have had for re-occupying the Rhineland, she ought to have had recourse to the League as stipulated in the Locarno Treaty,” it states. “International justice is by no means perfect but this is no justification for recourse to force and the breaking-up of treaties." The article, which is believed to have been inspired by tho Pope, has created a great impression in Rome.